Evolution of Body Rhythm & Dynamic Shaping is an advanced ballroom technique reference written by Geoffrey Hearn, focusing on the principles that influence movement quality in International Standard dancing.
Rather than presenting choreography alone, the book explores the development of body rhythm, posture, hold, contact, movement, musicality, shaping, lead and follow, and floorcraft before applying these concepts to competitive Standard figures. The opening chapters establish the theoretical foundation used throughout the remainder of the book, making it suitable for dancers who wish to understand not only what to dance, but why movements are performed in a particular way.
A major section of the ebook is devoted to the technical analysis of advanced figures in Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep, together with the structure and syllabus of Viennese Waltz. Each figure includes detailed tables covering foot positions, alignment, amount of turn, rise and fall, footwork, CBM, sway, head weight, rhythm, and notes explaining the intended body rhythm and movement quality.
The book also discusses topics such as musical notation, technical terminology, movement dynamics, and the relationship between body mechanics and artistic expression, making it a valuable reference for advanced dancers, teachers, coaches, and examination candidates.
Topics Covered
Technical Foundations
- Development of Body Rhythm
- Posture
- Hold
- Contact
- Movement
- Musicality
- Choreography
- Line Figures
- Lead and Follow
- Floorcraft
- Technical Definitions
- Musical Notation
- Ballroom Terminology and Abbreviations
Dance Sections
- Waltz Structure and Character
- Advanced Waltz Figures
- Slow Foxtrot Structure and Character
- Advanced Slow Foxtrot Figures
- Tango Structure and Character
- Advanced Tango Figures
- Quickstep Structure and Character
- Advanced Quickstep Figures
- Viennese Waltz Structure and Figures
Suitable For
- Advanced International Standard dancers
- Ballroom teachers and coaches
- DanceSport competitors
- Professional training programs
- Examination preparation
- Dancers interested in ballroom technique and movement theory
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.