Dance Conditioning Syllabus
DANC ???
Meeting Times: M/W or T/TH
Semester: Fall 2012
Credits: 1.0
Instructor: Jennie Wood
wood@dixie.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for dance majors and those students interested in improving strength and
flexibility for sports or general health. Emphasizes body balancing in strength, flexibility, and
endurance. Classwork is supported by basic study of anatomy and biomechanics. Specific
application of exercises to particular dance movements and positions will be emphasized.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Injury prevention through greater body awareness, strength, and flexibility
2. Increased strength and flexibility creates better technicians that are more marketable in the
dance community
3. Lengthened musculature creates better lines in the body
4. New choreographic ideas will stem from the exercises as students learn new ways to move the
body
5. Breath-movement coordination will make students more efficient movers and develop better
stamina
6. Students will learn the names of muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons as well as their basic
functions.
SUGGESTED TEXT
The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning: The Original Pilates Book by Philip
Friedman and Gail Eisen, copyright 2005.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
TheraBand (Latex resistance band)
Pilates/Yoga Mat (available for borrow in Room 100)
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: Introduction to core strengthening exercises (Hundred, Roll-Up, Leg Circles)
Week 2: Terminology for trunk muscles and bones, Continue core exercises (Rolling, SingleLeg Stretch, Double-Leg Stretch, Spine Stretch, The Saw, Side Kick, Seal
Week 3: Introduction to flexibility exercises (Sun Salutations and other Yoga-based Poses)
Week 4-6: Continue core strengthening and flexibility exercises
Week 7: Review Terminology (The Trunk), Mid-term Quiz, Introduce foot and ankle exercises
with Thera-Band
Week 8: Terminology for bones, muscles, and tendons in arms and legs
Week 9: Leg exercises and advanced core workouts (add Thera-Band)
Week 10: Continue leg and advanced core
Week 11: Arm and upper torso exercises
Week 12-13: Continue leg, advanced core, upper torso, and arm exercises
Week 14: Review Terminology for Legs and Arms
Week 15: Final Exam: Legs and Arms
ASSIGNMENTS and TESTS
1. Anatomical Terminology Tests
Mid-Terms: Trunk (Shoulders to hips) Names of Muscles and Bones
Final: Limbs (Arms and Legs) Names of Muscles, Bones, and Major Tendons and
Ligaments
2. Terminology Worksheets will be given as a means of study help
3. In-Class Presentation:
Students will take one exercise learned in class and correctly articulate the internal workings of
bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in executing this exercise.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
Attendance and Participation 60%
Tests
20%
Assignments
20%
100%-95%
92%-94.9%
88%-91.9%
85%-87.9%
82%-84.9%
78%-81.9%
75%-77.9%
72%-74.9%
68%-71.9%
65%-67.9%
60%-64.9%
Below 60%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF