Table of Contents

Foreword by Martha Swope Preface 1: Introduction 2: Balance 3: Motions Without Turns 4: Pirouettes 5: Turns in the Air 6: The Pas de Deux 7: The Mechanics of Partnered Turns 8: The Mechanics of Lifts 9: The Effects of Body Size 10: A Step into the Future Appendix A - Linear Mechanics and Newton's Laws Appendix B - Rotational Mechanics Appendix C - Anatomical Data for Dancers Appendix D - Rotational Inertia for Some Body Configurations Appendix E - Acceleration Away from Balance Appendix F - Off-Balance Pirouettes Appendix G - Arabesque Turn Analysis Appendix H - Quantitative Analysis of the Grande Pirouette Appendix I - Quantitative Analysis of the Fouette Turn Appendix J - Quantitative Analysis of the Supported Fouette Turn Appendix K - Lean, Don't Slip Appendix L - Biomechanical Forces in a Dancer's Body Glossary Index

About the Author

Kenneth Laws is Professor Emeritus of Physics, Dickinson College, and author of The Physics of Dance (Schirmer, 1984), Physics, Dance, and the Pas de Deux (Schirmer, 1994), and Physics and the Art of Dance: Understanding Movement (OUP, 2002) Arleen Sugano is Independent Dance Instructor, former instructor of Dance, New York University, University of North Texas, Joffrey Ballet School, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, and Lula Washington Dance Company, amongst many others.