Dance Mind and Body – Sandra Minton

Dance, Mind & Body by Sandra Cerny Minton is a practical guide to developing movement awareness, creativity, expression, and dance-making skills.

Through 128 exploration exercises, the book helps dancers investigate space, body shape, time, energy, movement dynamics, relationships, alignment, breathing, balance, imagery, and choreographic form. Each chapter builds practical movement experience while encouraging dancers to observe, experiment, improvise, and develop their own movement ideas.

The book progresses from fundamental movement awareness to creative expression and ultimately guides readers through the process of creating their own dances from inspiration to presentation. More than 70 photographs, improvisation challenges, examples, and reference material support the exercises throughout the book.

Contents

1. Creating Spatial Awareness
2. Moving With Purpose and Sensitivity
3. Balancing Time and Energy
4. Relating to People and Objects
5. Mastering the Principles of Movement
6. Expressing Form
7. Using Signs and Signals
8. Finding Sources of Inspiration
9. Creating Your Own Dances

The chapters progress through spatial awareness, body movement, time and energy, relationships, alignment and breathing, expressive form, imagery, creative inspiration, and finally complete dance creation.