Dance: Where Science Meets Art

by Expert Contributor Sheila Turner, Owner of From the Top Studio of Dance

Take a peek into any dance studio’s reference library and you’ll surely find books on training, technique and performance. But take a deeper look, and you’ll find the not-so-obvious neuroscience articles, physics studies and perhaps even a plastic skeleton or two.

There’s no argument that dance benefits the brain just as much as the body, but did you know that its benefits go well beyond the obvious release of endorphins and cognitive connections? There has been a recent surge in research into how dancers’ brains process information and how the study of anatomy and physics can lead to elevated levels of performance, reduce injuries and create a state of superfluidity where the cerebrum and cerebellum are beautifully synchronized.

Recent studies by prominent universities have shown definitive proof that dancers use multiple areas of their brain. One area is the part of our brain that controls our ability to move. Another part of our brain that gets involved is where our ability to imagine movement qualities is located. Those two parts of a trained dancer’s brain work together, to make the higher-level decisions about how they will intentionally express emotion as they execute each movement. Such decisions engage a dancer’s whole brain, as they simultaneously think about the sequence, timing, focus and qualities of lightness before making each next movement.

Beyond the brain, it makes sense to educate dancers on their physical anatomy and how to visualize their muscles, joints and bones working to maintain balance, extend their arms and legs and lift themselves higher than ever before. The Franklin Method®, created by Eric N. Franklin, is a growing study that uses dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery, anatomical embodiment and educational skills to create lasting positive change in dancers’ bodies and minds.

Another effective method of physical and cognitive dance training comes from encouraging a heightened state of visualization through what is called “marking” — going through the motions of a dance in a minimized way. While this may simply be seen as a method of saving energy, this mental training actually improves overall performance because it allows dancers to commit specific movements, sequences and timing to memory before physically dancing “full out.”

Who says science isn’t fun? It certainly is when you can dance your way through!

Expert Contributor Sheila Turner, Owner of From the Top Studio of Dance

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