1. Which main component of fitness do you think this picture shows?
COMPONENTS OF FITNESS
Remember it can show many…
All components are linked
Which main component of fitness
do you think this picture shows?

2. communicates with your body Your brain controls every
NEURO MUSCULAR SKILLS
Your brain
communicates with your body
by sending messages
down the spinal cord
through your nerves
Your brain controls every
cell in your body

3. (which protects the nerves) to the muscles that move
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This is your spine
(which protects the nerves)
Down its centre
run your nerves
which spread out
and send messages
to the muscles that move
your body

4. These are what your nerves look like
but not so bright!!!

5. The nervous system runs through your entire body When you want
to move your fingers
your brain sends a message
to your arms
hands and fingers
and they move the way you want them to

6. is like a big control center and your nervous system is like
Your brain
is like a big control center
and your nervous system
is like
little speedy messengers
working
much faster than a blink

7. (in the brain) is created for that task
When any movement is repeated –
PRACTICED OVER TIME
LONG-TERM MUSCLE MEMORY
(in the brain)
is created for that task
This allows it to be performed
without conscious effort
(thinking about it )

8. Even
kissing
must be
practiced!!!

9. NEURO MUSCULAR SKILLS INVOLVE …
BALANCE: ability to control movements
AGILITY: ability to move quickly
KINESTHETIC: awareness of how your body moves
SPATIAL: the space your body uses/ others/ performance space/ awareness of the space shared
RHYTHM – ability to match movement to music
REACTIVITY: ability to respond to changing circumstances/ reacting appropriately - emotion

11. Co-ordination
CAN be improved
with PRACTICE

13. DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH PRACTICE YOU HAVE PUT INTO YOUR DANCE CLASSES
THESE ARE THE ‘5’ STAGES
OF YOUR
NEUROMUSCULAR
SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT
DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH PRACTICE YOU HAVE PUT
INTO YOUR DANCE CLASSES

14. STAGE 1 ‘BEGINNERS’ LACK CO-ORDINATION UNABLE TO CONTROL MOVEMENTS
CANNOT
REPEAT MOVEMENTS

15. STAGE 2 ‘BASIC’ CO-ORDINATION IMPROVES BUT NOT YET A DANCER
BODY RESPONDS
MORE ACCURATELY
CAN
REPEAT SOME
MOVEMENTS

16. STAGE 3 ‘DEVELOPING’ SOME ISOLATED PERFORMANCE SKILLS DEVELOPED
BODY CAN MOVE
IN A VARIETY
OF WAYS

17. STAGE 4 ‘MASTERY’ CONTROLLED MOVEMENTS USED IN CREATIVE WAYS
STILL LIMITED
IN PERFORMANCE
ABILITY

18. STAGE 5 ‘SOPHISTICATED’ HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE COMPLEX MOVEMENT
PATTERNS USED
RHYTHMIC ACCURACY
AWARENESS OF
SELF IN MOTION =
EMOTION &
MEANING

24. How to achieve it … This is what creates muscles memory in the brain
The only way is through repitition
PRACTICE
This is what creates muscles memory in the brain
which leads to instant messages
being sent by the brain to the body
on how to move and react

25. WHY DO WE NEED IT … It is an essential element for
co-ordination, control & performance
It allows for effortless movement quality
It adds to musicality, interpretation, spacial awareness and quality of movement - emotion
It is one of the main ways in which to prevent injuries

26. Practice makes perfect?
The saying practice makes perfect can be wrong if you are practicing incorrectly
Only perfect practice makes perfect
Take note of corrections
Practice with consciousness

28. Dance is far more than perfecting movements…
It is about creating emotion and meaning
THROUGH OUR MOVEMENTS…
USING OUR WONDERFUL BRAIN!!

31. Do more today than you did yesterday and do more tomorrow
HOW TO ACHIEVE IT …
Do more today
than you did yesterday
and do more tomorrow
than you did today
Yes, I know you have heard this before
but it is the only way to be wonderful!

32. It’s called ‘progressive overload’

33. will amount to nothing …
YOU COULD HAVE ACHIEVED ALL
of the five major components of fitness
as listed in this presentation
But if you take part in any
of the following activities
all your hard work
will amount to nothing …
Lack of a balanced diet
Use of drugs (of any sort)
Alcohol
Unprotected sex

34. BE SAFE
TAKE CARE
AND PRACTICE
VERY, VERY HARD!
BELIEVE IN…
YOU!