The Dancers’ Study Guide

The Dancers’ Study Guide: A dance guidebook of dance history, health and fitness, performance lessons, tips and advice

The Dancers’ Study Guide

The Dancers’ Study Guide: A dance guidebook of dance history, health and fitness, performance lessons, tips and advice

​By Anthony King

​Paperback & Kindle
257 Pages
ISBN: 9781916088726
BISAC: The Performing Arts/Dance/Health & Fitness

About the book

​The Dancers’ Study Guide will help you become a professional performer. This detailed guide looks at what it really means to be a dancer with a strong emphasis on health and nutrition and maintaining your fitness given the high physical demands. It also covers learning to dance, coping with auditions and the psychology and mindset of success. It has everything you need to know about being a successful dancer and performer. This well-researched and insightful book is for anyone interested in dance from its origins to its evolution, stretching, technique, dance vocabulary and ballet basics including a comprehensive timeline of dance history. Based on solid scientific fact, lessons, tips and advice, world-famous dancer and choreographer Anthony King shares knowledge gained from over fifteen years as a dance teacher at Covent Garden’s Pineapple Dance Studios.

Table of Contents

​Part 1: Dance History and Basics

​The History of Dance
The Dancer’s Brain
Historical Timeline
Dance Styles: Overview
Dance Terms: Glossary
Becoming a Good Dancer
John’s Story: Facing your Fears
The Psychology of Auditions
Motivation and Drive
Dance Education – Private Lessons or Public Classes?
Dance Injuries
Some of the Greatest Dancers and Choreographers of All Time

​Part 2: Health, Fitness and Nutrition

​You Are What You Eat
Carbohydrates
Simple and Complex Carbohydrates
Fibre
Glycaemic Index
Insulin
Carbohydrates: Mood and Wellbeing
Proteins
Healthy Amino Acids
Protein: Mood and Wellbeing
Practical Protein Advice
Fats
Different Types of Fat
Important Fatty Acids
Practical Fat Advice
How to Feel Energised
Water, Food, Exercise, Sleep
Healthy Eating
Summary: What to Eat
General Fitness
Feel Great
Your Body’s Make-up
Boost your metabolism
Dance and Aerobic fitness

Part 3: Dance and Physical Expression

​The Aesthetics of Dance
Defining Good and Bad Dancing
Divine Proportion
What is Dance?
Poise
Style
Timing
Control
Placement and Accuracy
Simple Stretching
Feel Great, Have Fun
Dance Tricks and Gimmicks
The Side Slide
Maintaining your Talent and Staying Well
FAQs