Dance Conditioning Syllabus

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Meeting Times: M/W or T/TH

Semester: Fall 2012

Credits: 1.0

Instructor: Jennie Wood

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed for dance majors and those students interested in improving strength and flexibility for sports or general health. Emphasizes body balancing in strength, flexibility, and endurance. Classwork is supported by basic study of anatomy and biomechanics. Specific application of exercises to particular dance movements and positions will be emphasized.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Injury prevention through greater body awareness, strength, and flexibility
  2. Increased strength and flexibility creates better technicians that are more marketable in the dance community
  3. Lengthened musculature creates better lines in the body
  4. New choreographic ideas will stem from the exercises as students learn new ways to move the body
  5. Breath-movement coordination will make students more efficient movers and develop better stamina
  6. Students will learn the names of muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons as well as their basic functions.

SUGGESTED TEXT

The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning: The Original Pilates Book by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen, copyright 2005.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

TheraBand (Latex resistance band)

Pilates/Yoga Mat (available for borrow in Room 100)

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introduction to core strengthening exercises (Hundred, Roll-Up, Leg Circles)

Week 2: Terminology for trunk muscles and bones, Continue core exercises (Rolling, Single-Leg Stretch, Double-Leg Stretch, Spine Stretch, The Saw, Side Kick, Seal

Week 3: Introduction to flexibility exercises (Sun Salutations and other Yoga-based Poses)

Week 4-6: Continue core strengthening and flexibility exercises

Week 7: Review Terminology (The Trunk), Mid-term Quiz, Introduce foot and ankle exercises with Thera-Band

Week 8: Terminology for bones, muscles, and tendons in arms and legs

Week 9: Leg exercises and advanced core workouts (add Thera-Band)

Week 10: Continue leg and advanced core

Week 11: Arm and upper torso exercises

Week 12-13: Continue leg, advanced core, upper torso, and arm exercises

Week 14: Review Terminology for Legs and Arms

Week 15: Final Exam: Legs and Arms

ASSIGNMENTS and TESTS

1. Anatomical Terminology Tests

Mid-Terms: Trunk (Shoulders to hips) Names of Muscles and Bones

Final: Limbs (Arms and Legs) Names of Muscles, Bones, and Major Tendons and Ligaments

2. Terminology Worksheets will be given as a means of study help

3. In-Class Presentation:

Students will take one exercise learned in class and correctly articulate the internal workings of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in executing this exercise.

GRADE BREAKDOWN

Attendance and Participation 60%

Tests 20%

Assignments20%

100%-95%A

92%-94.9%A-

88%-91.9%B+

85%-87.9%B

82%-84.9%B-

78%-81.9%C+

75%-77.9%C

72%-74.9%C-

68%-71.9%D+

65%-67.9%D

60%-64.9%D-

Below 60%F