Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 3/31/2010

Question
I am currently a BFA student at AAU in San Francisco taking a Human Anatomy drawing class.  My instructor's discussion question this week is...to take some time analyzing the origins and insertions of the gluteal muscles, functions in relation to a movement, using one specific movement from dance as an example. Classical or Modern.  (I don't need you to get involved with the origin/insertion part.)

Thank you! Cheryl Weber

Answer
Hi Cheryl. A good example would be a retire. In ballet technique, the foot leaves fifth position, points, slowly or quickly, and draws up to the front or side of the knee.

This is a typical pirouette position, for both male and female dancers. You will easily figure out the work load on the gluteal muscles to stabilize the pelvis and assist holding the turnout on both the working and standing side.

In modern dance, specifically Martha Graham technique, the body has an elongating contraction movement. From a  straight spine, the body elongates the lower abs, pulling them in and up, bowing the body so it is scooped like a bowl at the front. The gluteals would be in contraction, supporting the body position. I'm not sure if that would be an eccentric contraction, but that is how the dancer images it mentally - always elongating, not scrunching up the muscles.

I hope that helps!

All the best, Dianne