Main description:

The Western approach to dance is largely focused on control and mastery of technique, both of which are certainly necessary skills for improving performance. But mindful attention, despite its critical role in high performance, has gotten short shrift-until now.

Attention and Focus in Dance, a how-to book rooted in the 20 years of attentional focus findings of researcher Gabriele Wulf, will help dancers unlock their power and stamina reserves, enabling efficient movement, heightening their sensory perception and releasing their dance potential. Author Clare Guss-West-a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher and holistic practitioner-presents a systematic, science-based approach to the mental work of dance. Her approach helps dancers hone the skills of attention, focus and self-cueing to replenish energy and enhance their physical and artistic performance.

A Unique, Research-Based Approach
Here is what Attention and Focus in Dance offers readers:

A unique approach, connecting the foundations of Eastern movement with Western movement forms
Research-based teaching practices in diverse contexts, including professional dance companies, private studios, and programmes for dancers with special needs or movement challenges
Testimonies and tips from international professional dancers and dance educators who use the book's approach in their training and teaching
A dance-centric focus that can be easily integrated into existing training and teaching practice, in rehearsal, or in rehabilitation contexts to provide immediate and long-term benefits

Guss-West explores attentional focus techniques for dancers, teachers and dance health care practitioners, making practical connections between research, movement theory and day-to-day dance practice.

"Many dancers are using excessive energy deployment and significant counterproductive effort, and that can lead to a global movement dysfunction, lack of stamina and an increased risk of injury," says Guss-West. "Attentional focus training is the most relevant study that sport science and Eastern-movement practice can bring to dance."

Book Organisation
The text is organised into two parts. Part I guides dancers in looking at the attentional challenges and information overload that many professional dancers suffer from. It outlines the need for a systematic attention and focus strategy, and it explains how scientific research on attentional focus relates to dance practice. This part also examines the ways in which Eastern-movement principles intersect with and complement scientific findings, and it examines how the Eastern and scientific concepts can breathe new life into basic dance elements such as posture, turnout and port de bras. Attention and focus techniques are included for replenishing energy and protecting against energy depletion and exhaustion.

Part II presents attention and focus strategies for teaching, self-coaching and cueing. It addresses attentional focus cues for beginners and for more advanced dancers and professionals, and it places attentional focus in the broader context of holistic teaching strategies.

Maximising Dance Potential
"Whether cueing others or yourself, cueing for high performance is an art," Guss-West says. "Readers will discover how to format cues and feedback to facilitate effective neuromuscular response and enhance dancer recall of information and accessibility while dancing."

Attention and Focus in Dance offers an abundance of research-backed concepts and inspirational ideas that can help dancers in their learning and performance. This book aids readers in filtering information and directing their focus for optimal physical effect. Ultimately, it guides dancers and teachers in being the best version of themselves and maximising their potential in dance.

Contents:

Foreword: An Introduction to Attentional Focus
Gabriele Wulf, PhD
Recent scientific research findings: "An external focus of attention is key to optimal performance and learning."

Part I. Shifting Attention
Chapter 1. Attentional Focus Challenges of Dancers
Explores the multitasking demands and information overload of dancers today and the need for a systematic attention and focus strategy in dance training and performance.

Chapter 2. Attentional Focus: A Scientific Perspective
Looks at how scientific attentional focus research relates to dance practice, translating attentional focus findings into dance vocabulary for practical dance contexts.

Chapter 3. Attention and Focus: The Intersection of Eastern and Western Movement
Investigates attention and focus in Eastern movement practice where it intersects with recent scientific findings to provide depth and alternative attentional tools for the dancer.

Chapter 4. Attentional Focus: Enhancing Power, Precision and Artistry
Revisits dance foundations with attention and focus techniques that renew meaning and develop energy, stamina and speed for specific dance challenges.

Chapter 5. Refocus Mind, Replenish Energy
Introduces remedial attention and focus techniques for performers and teachers to clear the mind and replenish energy in motion to protect from energy depletion and exhaustion.

Part II. Cueing Attention
Chapter 6. Teaching With External Attentional Focus
Presents practical attentional strategies for teaching, self-coaching and optimal cueing from beginner skills to refining of movement with advanced and professional dancers.

Chapter 7. Beyond Attentional Focus
Places attentional focus in context to explore complementary holistic strategies that support the autonomy of the dancer to bring further benefits to learning and performance.

Chapter 8. Optimal Attentional Cueing
Refines the art of optimum self-cueing, teaching cueing and feedback to enable high performers' need for powerful, efficient movement at the service of an artistic intention.