What does it mean to dance better? Could a slim/lean person be more nimble in moving their feet? Does a persons body structure affect the overall form?
2006-08-31 06:49:48 · 14 answers · asked by mrs_bryan 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
Absolutely body structure plays a role. The best swimmers have a certain body type versus say ... a football player.
However, one can never ever negate training. Given a swimmer body and a football body, both with training can be excellent dancers. Each might have certain advantages like in quickness vs strength.
Many facets are needed to be a dancer, not excluding expression and artistry, focusing on body structure alone is simply limiting.
2006-08-31 07:07:15 · answer #1 · answered by wrathofkublakhan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends how you define "better". IMO, the very best dancers have a way of showing you their soul when they dance - they make a connection with their audience, so you simply don't notice any technical flaws or physical shortcomings.
Even if you mean better in a technical sense, it still depends what you mean. Dancers with a stocky build (called 'arque' in ballet jargon) are fantastic at jumping and vigorous, exciting styles of dance. They are often short and compact so speed is easier for them. Tall, slim dancers ('jarrete') have longer limbs to control, so they are usually less nimble, but they have more flexibility so can kick higher and look beautifully elegant whatever they do. One body type is not better than the other, they are just suited to different styles.
As part of the audition process for the big ballet schools like the Bolshoi and the Royal Ballet School, all applicants have to go through a medical exam to assess whether their body structure is suitable. But that doesn't mean that the children who are rejected, are no good as dancers. It just means they don't meet the narrow criteria to be a ballet dancer. They may be good dancers in some other style.
2006-08-31 22:53:38 · answer #2 · answered by Kylie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sad to say, body types usually DO play a role in how you dance. I'm not sure that people "dance better" but they might have had better training , which results in better technique or/and better skills and better execution of those skills. If you look at it scientifly, someone that is petite will have a easier time doing a turn or split in the air or doing faster moves cleaner. It's pretty much Physics...bigger objects take longer to make it through space if they want to be at the same pace as the smaller object, they have to use more power, energy, and force.
Don't get me wrong some skinny people can't dance and I've seen SEVERAL big dancer tear up the dance floor. It just means that you have to work a little harder and while in the process of working hard, people usually will see the result of getting smaller anyway...or at least more toned.
So for any big dancers reading this or if anyone reading this knows any bigger dancers, tell them to just do what they love and to love themselves and just enjoy dancing!!!!
2006-08-31 15:23:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe body structure is associated to dance ability. Although the overall form or how pretty and attractive a dance looks will have a lot to do with body structure! But it takes a lot more than that. It takes coordination, muscle memory and something that you are just born with. Certain body types might look better with certain dances. A "petite" person can move faster and lighter, but might look silly dancing hip hop or belly dancing. A heavier women might not be a agile on her feet, but might be able to shake a booty like nobody else...
2006-08-31 14:53:02 · answer #4 · answered by dahfna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, I believe the person's overall body capabilities is what affects their performance to dance. Someone who is not flexible from lack of stretching and using many ligaments and muscles while gorwing up, isn't going to be that great of a dancer. Balance is important to dance and takes a lot of practice. Understanding the body and how it can move is key too. So, a part of it is about the knowledge in the mind, but not always...there are people that grow up teaching themselves to dance really well and they couldn't put it all in words.
2006-08-31 14:15:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Posture, poise, strength, balance, and commitment are the key roles. Some say the size is the difference, yes in ballet, but anything else no. I'm sure you would be better off thinner but not just for dance, for your health. I don't think if you were overweight it would be a problem.
2006-08-31 20:10:31 · answer #6 · answered by Norah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - some moves look ridiculous on certain people. Also if you have a long body shaking your hips looks good. If you have a short body and long limbs it doesn't look like much. Find a style that works for you. And yes usually if you re more athletic you can pull off more moves - but rhythm you have to be able to listen to music for, and that isn't as easy.
2006-08-31 18:33:26 · answer #7 · answered by kazak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not always, I have a cousin who is 21 and over weight but she is an AMAZING dancer, she used to be very flexible until her car accident, but even still she's very good and hasn't given up on dancing. She teaches all sorts of dances from the cha cha to ballet. Just practice and practice a lot. No matter your size you can always be good, you just have to work for it. Sometimes more than you think
2006-08-31 14:24:22 · answer #8 · answered by Sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't really matter in a way what size you are it just depends sometime's in some dances they prefer that you have a slim body so they can see your alignment and the way you move.
sometime's you can move better than if your a little heavy!
2006-09-04 06:53:58 · answer #9 · answered by Mary-Kate L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you refer to professional dance (ballet), yes body and bone structure are a must. Dorothy M. answered the question as it is.
But if you refer to dancing as a pastime, body type doesn't matter at all.
2006-09-03 17:46:48 · answer #10 · answered by Dulcinea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋