Stretches of a Contemporary Dancer
Flexibility is a boon for any contemporary dancer. It doesn’t come easy unless one goes through pain and lots of efforts.
A stretch is considered right not just by the body posture but in fact which part of the body pains exactly! The main idea behind stretching exercises is to avoid injuries while practicing any dance form.
The stretches are taught before we start with the dance moves. The hamstring stretches are the most difficult ones for beginners until they get the 180 degrees split. The trainers advise us that the hamstring muscles are like elastic, the more we stretch, the more beautiful the moves appear while dancing.
Contemporary dance form uses and abstract body language which an artist choreographs to pour his heart out.
There are certain angles where we need to bend our legs with and without bending our knees, expanding and releasing the body parts in a motion.
The positions of the leg plays very important role. There are variations in ballet positions like ballet I, ballet II, ballet III, followed by roller position to get up from the stretch in the floor exercises, flex and pointed feet and so on which brings the body balance and makes the dance poses very beautiful.
The hands, the eyes and the facial expressions narrate the theme or the story of the song to connect with the audience.
Focus is also reflected in the shadow moves of posture and gesture that enhances feelings. Usually the emotions like fear, pain, agony, rage, anxiety, uneasy, joy and tears are portrayed by contemporary dancers.
Dancers also remain motionless when our eyes start staring straight out, the energy of tension runs up through the body until it is released via a sudden leap, culminating in a defensive crouched position.
The techniques of each jumps and kicks should be applied correctly otherwise it may lead to injuries. We are advised to wear knee pads, wrist pads and ankle pads while practicing and rehearsing on the wooden floor and stage so that the muscle memory remains strong while we perform in front of the audience.
The happiness of performing on stage and entertaining the audience is such an amazing feeling. Like the quote — “If you dance with your heart, your body follows” which is the ultimate goal.
