Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

410 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

FIGURE 7.33 Use of depressors of the scapula and humerus when
supporting the body weight with the arms.
Photo courtesy of Betsey Toombs. Dancer: Wade Madsen.

FIGURE 7.32 Elevation of the shoulders with overhead arm movements. (A) Excessive scapular elevation and

(B) desired scapular upward rotation without elevation.

A B

you focus on first pulling the scapula and humerus

downward toward the chair (figure 7.33).

Wide Scapulae

Another common technique error in dance relates

to positioning of the arms relative to the body. This

problem is easiest to picture when the arms are being

held out at shoulder height to the side (second posi-

tion). If the arms are held too far back (excessive

shoulder horizontal abduction), the scapulae are

generally excessively “pinched together” (excessive

scapular adduction) as seen in figure 7.34B. Con-

versely, if the arms are held too far forward (excessive

shoulder horizontal adduction), the scapulae are

generally excessively separated (excessive scapular

abduction) as seen in figure 7.34C. Although differ-

ent dance forms vary on the exact desired aesthetic,

many utilize a position in which the scapulae are

“wide” versus pinched but still lying flat along the

back of the rib cage versus coming to the front of

the body, as seen in figure 7.34A. This is basically a

“neutral” position of the scapulae.

Thinking of keeping the elbows and scapulae

pulling slightly to the side can sometimes help you

find this position of the scapulae. This positioning

is often accompanied by a sensation of slight co-