Notes on technique in Zouk (and other dances)

[AlZouker]

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Extending your limits - Flexibility

‘Flexibility’ here is having all body flexible with good control and coordination of movement of the different body parts. When dancing, this has to be coordinated between partners and with music. Higher flexibility allows one to create a wider range of expression in the dance, not to dance just as a stepping piece of wood. That is not interesting.
‘Flexibility’ has two aspects:
1 - physical flexibility of the body parts (e.g. that the spine and supporting muscles can create different shapes, stretch, bend to sides, etc.) and
2 - ability to create and coordinate movement and shaping of body with the music – this is action of the dancer’s mind

(Again, refer to the Disclaimer in Intro – first post. I cannot be held responsible should you hurt yourself or anyone else.)
As mentioned in the topic ‘Extending your limits’, one begins extending their limits when training past the point when the body says “I am tired / I can’t do any more”. Over-stretching of not properly warmed-up muscles is potentially more dangerous than possible harm when extending limits in fitness (e.g. when you keep running when you feel tired). Reaching a dangerous point when doing stretching may be more sudden. Always, before stretching any muscles make sure you have warmed them up thoroughly. That allows muscles to operate optimally and safely, so they can perform well. Unless you have just been actively using the muscles you are going to stretch, they are NOT warmed up enough. There are specific exercises for warming up certain sets of muscles but in general one simply needs to get those muscles working actively, however you get them moving / working (quick).

Increasing the ‘physical flexibility’: stretching body to all sides as far as you can go (especially when going back making sure back muscles support the upper body fully at all times, or you will get injured.) Try to stretch more often for shorter periods of time, always trying to get past the current comfortable limits but don’t overdo it to hurt yourself.
Increasing flexibility in coordination of movement of body parts with music - two ‘poles’ of aiming here:
-   ‘isolation of movement’ of body parts (‘body isolation’) - trying to be able to control movement of a body part without influence on movement of other body parts
-   coordination of movement of body parts – trying to coordinate movement of the ‘isolated’ body parts to create an overall move / expression in the music

[To be continued …]