Body awareness is our internal understanding of where our body is in space and determines how efficiently we can move. It can be thought of as a combination of interoceptive, proprioceptive, and spatial awareness. The gathering and processing of information by our brain and nervous system, received through all of our different sensory systems, form our understanding and awareness of our own body. Body awareness is therefore the foundation for all other movement skill development. Initiating body awareness through tactile, sensory activities at the beginning, will improve motor function throughout the rest of class.
Now that you've read about dance musicality, we can dive into body awareness! The more you familiarize yourself with your body, the more control will have over it. That's why understanding and developing your body awareness is essential for building your dance foundation. Have you ever taken a yoga class?
In dance, there are two very important things: understanding music, and understanding how your body moves in response to music. It is never too late to learn how to be more aware of your body. It takes them years to perfect their craft and make sure they move their hands correctly during surgery. As a dancer, your work tool is your own body. This is why it is very important to understand it and become familiar with it; get to know its needs, limitations, and abilities. Being aware of your own body basically means having a good understanding and feeling of your own body. Becoming familiar with all body parts requires a lot of focus. Muscle memory is a side effect of muscle awareness.
