Written by Edel Quin, Sonia Rafferty, and
Charlotte Tomlinson.
Every dancer of every age, ability, and style should be able to engage fully in the act of dancing and be encouraged to achieve their potential without risk of harm to the body or mind. Practical information on all aspects of safe practice that is not too simplistic or complex has not always been easy to find.
Guidelines in Implementing Principles
The authors offer evidence-based guidelines on implementing diverse
principles in practice, informing and supporting dance practitioners in
an ever-growing pool of styles and genres. These guidelines and
principles are of use not only to dancers and dance educators but also
to choreographers, rehearsal and company directors, and studio managers.
The information is underpinned by research in dance science and applied
with contextual delivery in mind, ensuring an engaging experience for
those accessing the book.
Benefits to Readers
The authors guide readers in these aspects:
- Facilitating a physically and psychologically safe and supportive dance environment
- Understanding principles of anatomy and biomechanically sound alignment
- Implementing effective physiological preparation and
progression through warm-up and cool-down protocols as well as
supplementary fitness and conditioning
- Minimizing risk of injury and understanding injury management aligned with appropriate rest and recovery strategies
- Incorporating advice on nutrition and hydration for enhanced performance and healthy dance practice
- Tailoring delivery to the specific needs and demographics of participants for diverse engagement with dance
- Evaluating personal practice in order to assess and monitor effective application of the principles
Holistic and Inclusive Approach
Safe Dance Practice takes a multidisciplinary approach to the
components of dancing safely, integrating principles without
compromising dancers’ artistic creativity and expression. The authors
examine not only the immediate variables associated with occurrence of
injury but also delve into contributing factors, such as nutrition,
alignment, rest and recovery, and supplementary fitness and
conditioning.
This comprehensive approach is evident throughout, including a dedicated
chapter that will help readers apply the principles to dancers of
diverse ages, standards, and physical abilities.
Features of the Book
Safe Dance Practice includes
- diagrams that illustrate
ideal and compensated alignment and posture, which readers can apply
when assessing all dancers in all genres;
- case studies that help readers contextualize their learning as they see it portrayed in an applied environment;
- at-a-glance chapter summaries and highlighted key points to help readers retain critical information;
- cross-referencing to guide readers to related information in other areas of the book; and
- sources for additional information.
Safe Dance Practice
contains 11 chapters, which can be accessed sequentially or studied in
any order. The first eight chapters present environmental, anatomical,
physical, and psychological principles of safe dance practice. Each
chapter includes strategies and examples for putting the principles into
practice in relation to dance styles and settings. Chapter 9 focuses on
injury awareness and management, and chapter 10 offers guidelines on
adapting the principles to a range of dance populations. Chapter 11
helps readers to understand the value of continued monitoring of their
practice and includes a checklist of safe practices. Six appendixes
supply a series of aids and templates to use as learning resources for
ongoing professional development.
This text offers pragmatic recommendations from the authors, who combine
scientific fact with experience. The principles are presented in a
practical fashion with many specific examples. The take-home messages,
checklists, and templates make this text accessible and valuable.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice
Safe Dance Practice bridges the gap between academic research
and its application for dancers and educators in all levels and genres.
It illuminates the principles of working safely in dance so as to
support best practice and encourages all dance practitioners and leaders
to better understand, communicate, and apply principles of safe dance
practice.
With its applied perspective on dance science,
Safe Dance Practice
will resonate with readers who want their dance experience to be
factually endorsed while allowing sufficient scope for artistic
expression. Such evidence-based practice will enable readers to access
wider sources of information to aid their ongoing development whilst
empowering them to take responsibility for their own safe dance practice
and that of others with whom they interact.