DANCE KINESIOLOGY: THE ANKLES

       This dance blog article will include a definition and discussion of dance kinesiology followed by a short piece on using the ankles in dance. The study of muscular movement and mechanics of human motion is called kinesiology. It covers areas in sports, exercise, massage, injuries, sports medicine and dance.

       The study of sports kinesiology uses objective measurement like scores, time to achieve a goal or distance measurements while measurement in dance is more subjective with emphasis on aesthetics and expression. Also, the objective for sports is different than for dance. Dance is more of a language that communicates emotions, sensations, experiences and thoughts.

       In social dancing, the communication is between partners, while in dancesport it extends outward to the audience and focus is on aesthetics. Social dancing is communication through connection with attention to technique, form and aesthetics.

       In all forms of dancing, dancers benefit from a kinesthetic understanding of movement and the effect of gravity and force vectors. For instance, our kinesthetic abilities aid in soft landing in leaps but also how to move through our hips, knees and ankles to absorb shock from the floor and prevent injuries. Using the knees, hips and ankles keeps a dancer grounded and contributes to a better connection with the partner. Upcoming dance tips and blog articles will focus on hip and knee action while here the focus is on using the ankles in dance.

       Two ways that muscles work are flexion and extension. The muscles involved in flexion are referred to as flexors. Flexion is akin to bending a limb, e.g. bending our knees can be referred to as flexing the knees or flexing a muscle like an arm bending. In flexing there are muscles that are contracting and opposing ones that are stretching (lengthening). The muscles for extension are referred to as extensors. Extension is like straightening a limb, e.g. a straight leg or arm or pointing the toes.

       A thorough understanding of how the ankles are involved in dancing is essential for proper technique in dance. The human foot is complex and does not land on the floor like a hoof. Generally, it rolls onto the floor moving from the heel, instep, ball, toes or from the toes, ball, instep and heels. We transfer weight from one foot to the other by pushing off of the supporting foot in a peeling action; peeling off a foot and peeling onto a foot. The ankle also can roll inward or outward as in supination and pronation.

       In social ballroom dancing, we use the inside edge to the center blade of the foot and seldom if ever roll to the outside edge of the foot. While there is a difference in the foot action between smooth and rhythm dancing, both use flexion and extension of the feet through the ankle to lift off and land. Using the whole foot in a rolling action accomplishes a softening of the movement.

       The American style smooth dances (except Tango) use rise and fall with the knees flexing evenly so there is no Cuban hip action like the rhythm dances. The smooth dances that use less or no foot rise and fall like the Viennese waltz and tango, still use the ankles to accomplish flight through projection so the movement is lateral rather than vertical.

       The American style rhythm dances including the swing dances most often use a ball-flat footwork with a rolling action and no rise and fall. While the Latin dances like cha cha, rumba and mambo use a Cuban hip action with a knees flexion and extension, the swing dances use a swing hip action. Extension and flexion of the ankles and knees with a rolling footwork is absolutely necessary to achieve good technique in the rhythm and swing dances.

       West Coast swing dancers use flexion and extension of the knees, ankles and feet constantly while dancing to create and maintain good connection and form. Proper ankle action is crucial for establishing and keeping connection in West Coast swing. The aesthetics of West Coast swing is improved by using more flexion and extension in the knees, ankles and feet.  On all the beats, one knee is flexed while the other is in extension and before the weight is transferred the hip flexors are engaged, the foot is in extension as it is placed in position and the knee is in extension as the weight arrives onto the weighted foot.

       Using the ankles improves all dancing including social ballroom, swing, blues, Argentine tango, Latin dance, nightclub two-step, hustle, West Coast swing, country western, salsa, merengue, bachata, rhythm dances, Lindy hop, balboa and jitterbug.

       A synergy between the left and right hemispheres of the brain is necessary when learning to dance in order to merge the science of movement and the art of dance.

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About the Author

Pattie Wells hails from San Diego, California where she writes article and video blogs for her world dance resource website at DanceTime.com. Also, Pattie is working on several writing projects including her new website at PattieWells.com, a novel in linked stories and a poetry manuscript titled Fire In Rain.  In addition, she continues to teach a limited number of private dance lessons in San Diego including dance lessons for weddings.