Dance students take a scientific approach

Although it is essential for all students to maintain their health and wellbeing during their studies, for those studying subjects such as Dance it is even more important to attain the correct physical and mental balance to aid academic success.

As Dance students undertake a mixture of technical training, creative development and theoretical lessons, Edge Hill University's Performing Arts department recently held a dedicated ‘Dance Science Focus Week', where Dance Science experts met with all year groups to showcase this new, but fast growing, area of research and study which aims to enhance dance training and optimise dancer performance.  

During the event Imogen Walker, Dance Science Researcher at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, focused on promoting psychological wellbeing in the dance studio. She discussed some of the main theories around this subject alongside existing dance research, highlighting the practical strategies available to maintain and promote wellbeing in a dance context.  

As well as this, dancer Karen Wood, PhD student and teacher at the University of Manchester and teacher at The Lowry's Centre for Advanced Training Programme (CAT), explained posture and alignment using anatomical principles, enabling students to look at common muscular imbalances and alignment faults in a practical context and discover how to recognise the individual needs of a dancer.  

In an additional session students then explored what it takes to maintain fitness and wellbeing in the dance industry today. Stimulated by research conducted in both dance and sports science, they studied aspects of endurance, strength and flexibility. They also investigated the role of nutrition and how, as dancers, they can utilise this knowledge to devise their own successful training schedule as well as maintain their overall wellbeing and state of mind.  

For further information about studying Dance at Edge Hill University, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/performingarts/courses/ba-hons-dance