More Bad Dancer Habits, and How to Correct Them

Simple Ways for Any Dancer to Fix Bad Physical Habits

Aug 26, 2009

Dance students and professionals can develop bad physical habits over time. Here are a few ways that these habits can be corrected.

The following four bad physical habits can be fixed by hard work. Dancers must be on the lookout for these habits, and make a conscious effort to correct them.

Extreme Hyperextension in the Legs

If a dancer's straightened knee naturally curves in, or behind, the thigh and calf musles, he or she has hyperextended legs. A moderately hyperextended leg can help the dancer to stand comfortably tight in fifth position; however, extreme hypertension can be dangerous.

Hyperextended dancers tend to have weaker muscles in turnout. The legs can collapse in on themselves when landing a lump, and more body weight will come down on the knees. Thus, hyperextension can damage the joints in the knees, ankles, and hips.

Dancers with hyperextension must learn how to dance full-out while restraining their legs. These dancers should think about lengthening the legs, rather than straightening and/or locking the knees. Even if it feels slightly bent, it will probably look like a straight knee to those watching from the audience. Rather than tightening the quadriceps, dancers should stretch from the hips and elongate the leg line.

Extreme Tension in the Body

Dancing or moving with stiff, tight muscles can cause muscle injuries for dancers. Tension in the body can affect a dancer's balance, and make movement almost impossible.

To alleviate tension, dancers should concentrate on rhythmic breathing. Breaths should be taken with the music, and should be almost choreographed into the movement if dancers are having difficulty with tension. Even while standing still, dancers should concentrate on breathing and motion. This will prevent the muscles from rebounding to a tense position when not dancing.

Pinching in the Shoulder BladesDancers may pinch the shoulder blades together when trying to open their chest in the front; however, this motion immobilizes the back. Pinched shoulder blades constrict freedom of movement in the arms and upper body. They also cause a dancer's center of gravity to fall behind the line of the hips, affecting a dancer's balance.

Dancers should think about widening the shoulders to the sides, giving the chest room while keeping an upright posture.

Getting Stuck in a Rut

A dancer can sometimes simply lose his or her drive to improve technique. All good technique begins with the dancer's approach to the class. Being fully present, focused, and attentive will allow the dancer to learn more quickly and correctly. The worst situation is to learn a combination or step incorrectly, and not focus on the correct muscle movements.

Be present, be focused, and be open to new styles of dance and new ways of moving the body.

The copyright of the article More Bad Dancer Habits, and How to Correct Them in Ballet/Jazz/Tap Dance is owned by Terry Finch. Permission to republish More Bad Dancer Habits, and How to Correct Them in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.