Name of teacher / supervisor
Lobke Mienis

Period, duration
Block 1, 2, 3, 6

Study load
Total 40,5 contact hours

Competencies
1, 3, 6

Summary
With awareness, knowledge and insight we can work to our full potential creating efficiency and quality of movement and in this way we can learn to work with our own physical challenges and create possibilities to make choices. In this class we adopt a holistic approach and work towards becoming independent, taking control of our own development. The way anatomy is taught in this class has roots in the functional Posture and Movement therapy of Bess Mensendieck, Oefentherapie Mensendieck (1895). Mensendieck developed her functional posture and movement method from her experiences and knowledge of medicine, art and dramatic expression. Her holistic vision makes the therapy still very topical. Besides Mensendieck therapy we’ll use knowledge and insights coming from sports science, Orthopaedics, and TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises) technique, amongst others, to reach a multidimensional and personalised understanding of one’s structural, functional and affective body.

Content and design of the class
Experiential anatomy & kinesiology classes will help students develop the knowledge and tools to be able to make informed decisions in training practice and performance. In each class we spend time experiencing/exploring, observing/ analysing the body and we will go through theoretical knowledge. The student will gain knowledge and insight in relation to dance about the musculoskeletal system, biomechanical and quality of movement of foot/ankle, knee, hip/turn out, spine, trunk/centre, arm movement. Observation and analysing posture and movement and habitual patterns. Training principles, warming up and cooling down, stretching, tissue damage and repair, common injuries, rest. These classes are a part of the education that will prepare the student to become an independent and healthy dancer.

Learning goals
Fundamental principles / Technical skills

  • Awareness of posture, movement habits and patterns.
  • Observation, analysis, exploration of posture and movement
  • Conscious and unconscious control
  • Proprioception
  • Alignment (static and dynamic)
  • Efficiency of movement
  • Biomechanics and quality of movement of the body (ankle/foot, knee, hip/pelvis, centre, spine, arm movement)
  • Control of stability and strength in movement
  • Tension and relaxation
  • Possibility of making choices in movement

Knowledge & insights Student:

  • is familiar with anatomical terminology
  • has basic knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology and injury prevention
  • can transfer the theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge
  • has more insight in and knowledge about their own posture/alignment and movement patterns and how this affects their body, training and performance.
  • has more insight in and knowledge to tailor their training when being injured.
  • has more insight in and knowledge to respond to injuries in a sensible, safe and effective manner
  • will develop the knowledge and tools to be able to make informed decisions in their training practice and performance.

Working method(s) used
Group class, Training, assignments, peer-to-peer, self-study.

Used study material
Anatomy and injuries, autor Ted Willemsen. (obligatory) Handouts, Lobke Mienis Each other and a variety of sources

Assessment criteria:
Attendance, attitude, participation, personal development, knowledge, insights Students are assessed in regards to the class learning goals and their personal development trajectory. The student can formulate this in their own way: Choose if they want all of the learning goals to be assessed or if they have main ones. One can add attitudes: attendance, participation etc.

Method of assessment
Small assignments in class, research assignment, exam, self-reflection. Learning goals in the class contribute to the overall development of the competency indicators
1.1 / 1.2 / 1.8 / 3.2 / 3.4 

The overall development of the student is assessed at integral assessment meetings, twice a year, through combined self-assessment and assessment by teachers, coaches and mentors. This course forms a continuous line with other Body and Movement studies and Contemporary Dance classes.

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