DanceKinesis by Percell St. Thomass

DanceKinesis: The Missing Dimension in Ballroom & Latin Dance by Percell St. Thomass presents a comprehensive body, movement and dance training system developed for social, competitive and performance partnership dancers.

Rather than concentrating only on syllabus figures and patterns, DanceKinesis approaches dancing through natural movement and rhythm, helping readers understand how individual parts of the body move and how they interact as a coordinated whole. The program is designed both as a standalone learning system and as a supplement to other recognized dance curricula and syllabi.

The book begins with the fundamental elements of movement and progresses through posture, body mechanics, spatial awareness, rhythm, music and partnering. Among its distinctive concepts are the Corrective Posture Arc, 3 Dance Postures, 3 Dance Steps, 3 Dance Positions, 3 Body Lines, 3 Body Tiers, 7 Natural Laws, 4 Schools of Ballroom Dance, Two Energies of Dance, and 5 Positions of Lead.

A substantial section is devoted to practical dance application. The book covers Foxtrot, Waltz, American Tango, Quickstep, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Viennese Waltz, Paso Doble, Salsa/Mambo and American Bolero, along with curriculum planning, amalgamations and choreography.

Beyond dance technique, DanceKinesis also includes a Dancer’s Dictionary, a special Salsa section, and chapters devoted to health and exercise, stretching, leg conditioning, core and topline development, and strengthening. This broad scope makes it particularly useful as a long-term reference for dancers as well as teachers and dance professionals.

What You’ll Learn

• Natural body movement and dance mechanics
• Posture, balance and body awareness
• The 3 Dance Postures, Steps and Positions
• The 3 Body Lines and 3 Body Tiers
• The 7 Natural Laws of movement
• The 4 Schools of Ballroom Dance
• The Two Energies of Dance
• The 5 Positions of Lead
• CBM, CBMP and ACBM
• Rhythm and musical understanding
• Partnering and lead/follow concepts
• Ballroom, Smooth, Latin and Rhythm dance applications
• Amalgamations and choreography
• Stretching, conditioning and strengthening
• Teaching and curriculum concepts

Dances Covered

Ballroom & Smooth: Foxtrot, Waltz, American Tango, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz

Latin & Rhythm: Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Paso Doble, Salsa (Mambo) and American Bolero