Dance Technique: Rotation -- What is it and how is it done?
by
Kristine & Bruce Nelson
Dancing would be SO simple – if
all we had to do was move in a straight line. But it would also be
BORING. And of course it would really be simpler to turn by oneself
– but we dance with another body – our partner. So turn or
rotation “naturally” becomes complicated.
Most
of our dance figures incorporate rotation – in fact there are few
figures that are danced “straight.”
According
to Webster’s dictionary, rotation is defined as the action or
process of rotating
on or as if on an axis or center. In dance we also use the word as
a measurement e.g., a “rotation” is equal to one complete turn
[360°].
Some
of the words that we use in round dancing that indicate some type of
rotation include: rotate, turn, pivot, spin, twist, swivel, spiral,
roll, twirl, face, shape, circular, around, curve(curving). In
addition, words for turn may be used to describe individual or
partnership action, body or foot action, and even head action.
There
are 2 general types of rotation – axis rotation or spine rotation.
For partner dancing, rotations are essentially axial. Where is the
axis or point of the rotation? Each turn has a rotational axis
where one side of the body is essentially on a spot and the opposite
side of the body moves around that spot. If you think of a swinging
gate, you could think of the axis spot as the gate post (which is the
weighted foot) and the opposite side of the body as the far edge of
the gate that swings from the post. In dance rotations the “axis”
moves from one side of the body to the other as weight is transferred
from one foot to the other.
To
turn (especially as a couple) it is necessary to utilize Contra Body
Movement (CBM). CBM
allows smooth transition from linear to rotational movement. CBM
prepares a dancer or a couple for turn. The
RAL definition of CBM is the moving
of the opposite side of the body toward the stepping foot either
forward or back. CBM
is turning the right side of the body towards a left moving leg or
turning the left side of the body towards a right moving leg. The
body and the leg move at the same time. CBM occurs on forward or
backward steps and not on side steps. CBM occurs in the following
four scenarios:
The left leg moves forward as
the right side of the body moves forward (the torso rotates to the
left) [Left or Reverse Turn]
The right leg moves backward as
the left side of the body moves backward (the torso rotates to the
left) [Left or Reverse Turn]
The right leg moves forward as
the left side of the body moves forward (the torso rotates to the
right) [Right or Natural Turn]
The left leg moves backward as
the right side of the body moves backward (the torso rotates to the
right) [Right or Natural Turn]
How do you generate turn? Three
components are necessary: Preparation, Action, and Completion.
Preparation involves lowering to
create compression (energy) and developing CBM with the initial
step.
Action is the swing of the
active side of the body around an axis point which creates foot turn
(weighted foot turn or swivel)
Completion involves continuing
rotation until the desired exit alignment is reached and the final
foot placement is achieved.
For
reference:
ROUNDALAB Manual / Actions &
Movements:
Turn
A
change of direction as indicated.
Roll
A
right or left individual turn with each step progressing in
designated direction to end in designated position.
Pivot
A
rotation on the ball of the supporting foot caused by a strong
turning of the body, with the free leg held forward or back.
Spin
A
rotation on the ball of the supporting foot caused by an upper body
turning action either with a rise or with the foot flat. The free
foot is usually held under the body.
Swivel
A
turning of the body causing the foot or feet to rotate while
maintaining contact with the floor.
From clinic notes prepared for
the RAL Convention, June 2012.
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