Dance and Somatics: Mind-Body Principles of Teaching and Performance

Training in somatic techniques--holistic body-centered movement that promotes awareness and well-being--provides an effective means of improving dance students' efficiency and ease of movement. However, dance educators do not always have the resources to incorporate this knowledge into their classes. This volume explains the importance of somatics, introduces fundamental somatic principles that are central to the dance technique class, and offers tips on incorporating these principles into a dance curriculum.

The authors demystify somatic thinking by explaining the processes in terms of current scientific research. By presenting both a philosophical approach to teaching as well as practical instruction tools, this work provides a valuable guide to somatics for dance teachers of any style or level.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Julie A. Brodie, an associate professor of dance at Kenyon College in Ohio, is an active choreographer and performer.

Elin E. Lobel, an associate professor of kinesiology at Towson University in Maryland, is the editor of the Journal of Laban Movement Studies, and editorial board member for the Journal of Dance Education and the Feldenkrais Journal.