The Mysterious Center
I have a confession to make – I used to be one of those dance teachers who would casually throw around the phrase “use your core” without really understanding what that meant. You know the type – they’d bark out instructions like “engage your abs!” or “pull up from your center!” only to be met with a sea of bewildered looks from their students.
But then I had an ah-ha moment that changed everything. I realized that when I was asking my dancers to tap into their “core” or “center,” I was really talking about a complex interplay of muscles, bones, and joints that work together to create freedom and stability in the body. It’s not just about flexing your six-pack – it’s about understanding how all the moving parts of your midsection work together to support your movements, whether you’re doing grand jetés across the stage or simply walking from the dressing room to the wings.
You see, the core is so much more than just a set of abs. It’s a dynamic system that needs to be trained and nurtured, not just squeezed and tightened. And as a dancer, developing a deep awareness and control of this magical “center” can unlock a whole new level of artistry and technical prowess.
Defining the Core
So what exactly is this elusive “core” that dance teachers are always harping on about? Well, let’s start with the basics. When we talk about the core, we’re referring to the muscles, bones, and joints that make up the trunk of the body – the spine, pelvis, and ribcage. This includes major muscle groups like the abdominals, back extensors, and hip flexors, as well as smaller stabilizing muscles that help keep everything aligned and working in harmony.
But the core is more than just a collection of individual parts. It’s a dynamic, integrated system that plays a crucial role in almost every movement we make, from the most explosive grand battement to the simple act of walking. As Nichelle Suzanne of Dance Advantage explains, “The answer is freedom. Freedom in the arms and legs, the spine and torso is created when a dancer has control of the space where all of these extremities attach – the center of the body.”
In other words, when you have a strong, stable core, it allows your limbs to move with greater ease and fluidity, unencumbered by excess tension or imbalance. It’s the foundation that supports all of your dancing, whether you’re leaping across the stage or simply standing in a developpé. And as movement educator Monika Volkmar points out, the core isn’t just about creating stability – it’s also about having the mobility and freedom to shift your center of mass from one foot to the other, a key component of efficient, graceful movement.
The Breath Connection
Now, you might be wondering, “Okay, I get that the core is important, but how do I actually go about training it?” Well, the first and perhaps most crucial step is to master the art of diaphragmatic breathing.
That’s right, your breath – that simple, automatic function that we often take for granted – plays a vital role in core stability and function. As Monika explains, “A good quality diaphragmatic breath” is the first pillar of effective core training, because it helps to activate and stabilize the deep, intrinsic muscles of the abdomen.
Think about it – when you take a deep, belly-filling breath, you’re not just moving air in and out of your lungs. You’re also creating a gentle pressure and expansion within your abdominal cavity, which engages those core muscles and helps to stabilize your spine. And as you exhale, those muscles contract, providing a foundation for movement.
But here’s the catch – many of us have developed faulty breathing patterns over the years, relying more on our chest and shoulders to move air rather than our diaphragm. This can lead to imbalances and tension in the core, which can then manifest as pain, poor posture, and decreased mobility.
That’s why it’s so important to take the time to reconnect with your breath and learn to breathe from your belly. It may feel awkward at first, but with practice, you can retrain your body to use its core musculature more efficiently, setting the stage for more powerful, controlled movements.
Stability vs. Mobility
Okay, so we’ve established that the core is more than just a set of abs, and that breath is a crucial component of core training. But there’s one more important concept to understand: the balance between stability and mobility.
You see, many of us have been led to believe that the key to a strong core is all about creating a rigid, unmoving spine. We’re told to “brace our abs” and maintain a “neutral” position at all costs. But the reality is, our bodies are designed for dynamic, three-dimensional movement – and that means our cores need to be able to adapt and flex with every step, jump, and turn.
As Monika points out, when we walk, our spine, pelvis, and ribcage are constantly going through phases of lengthening, contracting, compression, and decompression – all in multiple planes of motion. If our core is too locked down, we lose the freedom and fluidity that makes our dancing look effortless and graceful.
So instead of just focusing on building brute strength in our abs, we need to also cultivate core mobility – the ability to transition smoothly between different positions and patterns of movement. This might involve things like exploring spinal flexion and extension, or learning to shift our center of mass from one foot to the other without losing our balance.
By training both stability and mobility, we can create a core that’s strong and resilient, yet adaptable and responsive to the ever-changing demands of dance. It’s the difference between feeling like a rigid, wooden puppet on stage, and moving with the fluid, organic movement of a master improviser.
Putting it All Together
Okay, so now you know that the core is a complex, dynamic system that needs to be trained with a balance of stability and mobility. You understand the importance of diaphragmatic breathing as a foundation for core function. But how do you actually put all of this into practice?
Well, the key is to start with the basics and build from there. Begin by focusing on reconnecting with your breath – practice taking deep, belly-filling breaths, and notice how this engages your abdominal muscles. You can even try doing some simple core exercises, like dead bugs or planks, while really concentrating on your breathing.
From there, start to explore the three-dimensional movements of your spine, pelvis, and ribcage. Try gently arching and rounding your back, or shifting your weight from side to side. As Stephanie Carter Kelley demonstrates, getting down on your hands and knees and exploring weight-shifting and limb movements can be a great way to feel the core in action.
And don’t forget to integrate these core-strengthening exercises into your regular dance training. Whether you’re warming up before class or cooling down after a performance, make sure to include movements that challenge your stability and mobility. Over time, you’ll start to feel a difference in your dancing – more freedom, more control, and a deeper connection to your center.
Of course, this is just the beginning. There’s so much more to explore when it comes to core training for dancers. But by starting with the foundations of breath, stability, and mobility, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the full power and potential of your “center.”
Who knows, you might even be the one leading the charge the next time your dance teacher starts barking out those core-focused instructions. Just remember to give your students a little more guidance than I did back in the day – and maybe throw in a fun analogy or two to really drive the point home. After all, as dancers, we could all use a little more clarity and creativity when it comes to finding our center.
