Written in the body: reflections on encounters with somatic practices in postgraduate dance training

Abstract

This article tracks my exploration of the somatic practices as a postgraduate dance student, set against the background of my previous experience and my journey to this place through conventional dance training. Personal reflections and journal writings are combined with a more formal definition and discussion of the somatic practices and their application to dance training and performance, with particular reference to the Alexander Technique and Body-Mind Centering. What emerges is a personal record of the shifts in my thinking/moving that were necessary to realize fully what the somatic practices have to offer, both in dance and life. It also charts the struggle and frustrations as well as the delights and discoveries that I encountered in this rite of passage.

Pain Perceptions, Suffering and Pain Behaviours of Professional and Pre-Professional Dancers towards Pain and Injury: A Qualitative Review

“…Future research needs to establish interventions that enable coping and continued success. Past studies support this as they highlight that good self-awareness increased the chances of career success [ 40 , 41 ]. Dancers identified that being able to take risks with suffering and injury was important, and this resulted in working at the limit of the body, which could produce meaningful goals and the continuation of their career.…”

“…Further studies can explore why some dancers are able or unable to distinguish performance and injury pain and if having this ability would cultivate better pain behaviours towards injury. Self-awareness and self-management skills for injuries are critical factors for increased career success [ 40 , 41 ] and can facilitate a pathway towards continued performance. Further studies should explore the factors that may facilitate this transition.…”

“…Past studies have found that dancers with the ability to distinguish pain [ 6 ], who have good self-awareness and self-management skills, have increased chances of career success [ 40 , 41 ]. This may explain why self-neglect and a lack of self-awareness and attention to the body’s physical limits appeared to jeopardise a dancer’s career and performance in the current review.…”

Focus on Mindful Movement: Problematizing Contemporary Dancers’ Training Practices through Pilates

“…Somatics can also help break "the mindset that if [dancers] are not sweating or hurting… they are going to lose technique" (Roche & Huddy, 2015, p. 156, emphasis in original). Previous research has shown that somatic training has benefitted contemporary dancers: it increased awareness (Allen, 2009;Fortin & Girard, 2005;Fortin et al, 2009;Rouhiainen, 2008;Weber, 2009), enabled a more holistic view of oneself that considers both body and mind (Fortin & Girard, 2005), and encouraged improvements in technique through versatility and articulacy (Allen, 2009;Weber, 2009). Dancers have also gained confidence (Weber, 2009), greater authority, and respect for their bodies (Fortin et al, 2009) through somatic training.…”