Controlling the Arms

A very familiar comments for most dancer are "isolate your arms" or "shoulders down" (Especially for me admittedly >.<). The shoulder joints are some of the most complicated areas to control while you're dancing, since they are made up of so many many different muscles. Here's a few tips and tricks to controlling your arms while doing complicated movements with the rest of your body during routines.

1.) "Balance the strength between your elbow flexors and extensors." (Greene Section 4) This is especially important for those with hyper extended elbows, because it creates a better line. Hyper extending makes your muscles more prone to injuries. 

2.) "Do arm exercises that build both the flexibility and strength equally" (Greene Section 4). This will make for nice fluidity in arm movement, and allow you to add more artistry and expression to your routines (plus toned arms are super pretty soooo.... score)

3.) Focus on lines of energy through your arms. The line of your arms should not simply stop at your fingertips. You should feel energy coursing out beyond yourself. This is built by holding tension in your arms, and extending your arms as far as possible. 

4.) Engage your shoulders, but not so much  that you look tense.

Why  do think arms are so important to the artistry of dancing?

HAPPY DANCING.

-Kristin

Haas, Jacqui Greene. Dance Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2010. Print.