Somatics in Action describes a Pilates, yoga, and dance inspired movement system that helps movers achieve optimum strength, skeletal alignment, and body-mind engagement. The book integrates the Pilates principle of strengthening abdominal and spinal musculature to support postural stability and balance with alignment-based yoga's principle of proper physical placement and an understanding of anatomical structure. Three additional concepts that contribute to the foundation of SIA are imagery, experiential anatomy, and body integration. This work focuses on dancers consistently engaging with their body and mind's inner wisdom, not only in quiet moments of reflection, but also in the very active moments of moving, dancing and creating. Somatics in Action details the unique movement theory and practice developed by the author. The book blends yoga, Pilates, experiential anatomy, body integration and imagery into a comprehensive, rigorous and creative pedagogical tool for educators and dancers. The textbook outlines how dance, movement, yoga and Pilates educators can incorporate this technique into their teaching and curriculum. The book: * provides thoughtful and nuanced explanation of the technique as well as detailed lesson plans and assignments that can be implemented immediately into a university or other curriculum. * can be used in any somatic based class (yoga, Pilates, dance conditioning), in modern dance technique courses and also in creative movement curricula
Lauren W. Kearns, M.F.A., E-RYT 500 is a choreographer and dancer. She has composed over fifty professionally produced concert pieces that have been presented throughout the U.S.A., Europe, and Asia. She is the artistic director of The Kearns Dance Project, a professional dance company based in North Carolina, U.S.A. Kearns has received over forty grants, fellowships, and awards to support her artistic and scholarly projects. She is a published scholar, a somatics specialist with certifications in Vinyasa Yoga, Alignment-Based Yoga, and Classical Pilates. Kearns is also a certified and registered Experienced Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level with the Yoga Alliance, and has presented her creative and somatics research at national and international dance conferences since 2000. In addition to her dance career, Kearns is a Professor of Dance, the Coordinator of the Dance Program, and the Associate Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at Elon University, Elon, N.C. U.S.A. She received her M.F.A. in Dance and her M.A. in Dance Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. For more information on Lauren and The Kearns Dance Project, please visit www.thekearnsdanceproject.org.
Acknowledgements Forewords Preface Video Index Introduction Chapter 1 Laying the Foundation Mindfulness and Movement Imagery Body Integration Experiential Anatomy Movement Educator Resources Chapter 2 Somatics in Action: Body Practices I Brief History of Yoga Asana and Pranayama Props Pranayama Asana Restorative Sequences Movement Educator Resources Chapter 3 Somatics in Action: Body Practices II Brief History of Pilates Pilates Principles Terminology Pilates Props Pelvic Clock Pilates Mat Exercises Personal Explorations Movement Educator Resources Chapter 4 Somatics in Action: Body Practices III Somatics in Action Class Structure The Practice Terminology Center Barre Personal Sequences Movement Educator Resources References Index
