A Balancing Act: What not to do

© Matt A. Chapman

Balance is not a constant, but invariably changes with the minutest of influences.  The process of learning to balance is continuous for the dancer, not only affected by mechanical forces but also by the dancer's emotional, psychological and mental state at that moment in time.  In addition, the body needs to make slight adjustments as the dancer anticipates the next movement and any unnecessary tension in the body will impair the dancers ability to balance or to balance well.  This tension is inadvertently taught to our students by making them believe that balance is static - something you find and keep. To make students hold poses excessively further instills this tension and conflict.  Adding fuel to the fire (and one of the biggest mistakes we make as dance teachers) we also use cues such as "pull up" and "tuck under" thinking  these words will fix the problem when we observe students struggling to "hold" their balance.  We know those signs - students hopping around, twisting the torso and throwing the arms around to control their balance.  By being too specific with our cues, we force our students to focus on a particular part of the body and interfere with their neuromuscular process and proprioceptive ability (where each part of the body is in space). Instead, it is more productive and constructive to allow dancers to learn balance through trial and error by being more guiding rather than commanding.  Encourage them to embrace the learning process by creating an environment where it is ok to make mistakes - to be their own problem solvers.  If they fear humiliation and reprimand they will not be free to explore and learn.  Regularly add unexpected changes of direction and quick weight shifts throughout the class.  Teach them to be alert and prepared for any balance challenge.  Through this process they will not only become better dancers, but learn to trust themselves and their abilities.

If you are looking for more specifics about this topic read this article in the current bulletin from the IADMS Understanding Balance: Applying Science to Dance Training.

"Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned." ~Mark Twain