Bodywork Study Guide

Question 1

Alexander Technique

Answer 1

A modality that focuses on efficient, balanced muscle function and weight transfer/balance in daily life and in performance.

Question 2

Alignment

Answer 2

Alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles relate and line up with each other in order to transfer weight via an aligned skeletal structure. Proper alignment of the body puts less stress on the spine and helps reduce the need for muscular bracing.
- The vertical balance of the weight of the body on the skeletal structure via aligning weight transfer points: Atlanto-occipital joint (between the ears) over the shoulders, hip joints, knees, and the arch of the foot
- Vertically balanced pelvis, neither tipped forward nor rolled under
- Unlocked knees
- Shoulders released to the sides, neither curled forward, nor overly pulled back
- Chest comfortably expanded (i.e., not collapsed, slumped)
- maintained by free, subtle micro-movements (not fixed or rigid)

Question 3

Body Mapping

Answer 3

A modality that focuses on a singer’s internal map and understanding of their body, and how/where its parts articulate.

Question 4

Fascia

Answer 4

A connective tissue that envelops almost every structure in the body, providing structural integrity to the skeletal system as well as some protection to the viscera. Fascia can change with repetitive movements and with abnormal movements resulting in restriction of the structures involved.

Question 5

Feldenkrais Method™

Answer 5

A modality that focuses on slow and subtle movements that are designed to optimize physical patterns that previously led to counterproductive tension.

Question 6

Kinesthesia

Answer 6

One’s perception of their body in motion, including how it moves, where it moves, and the quality of the movement.

Question 7

Massage therapy

Answer 7

A modality that focuses on the manipulation of soft tissue including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin with varying degrees of pressure performed by a licensed practitioner with the benefits of increasing circulation, releasing endorphins, relaxing and lengthening muscles and the goal of reducing tissue tension and restoring tissue/muscle to its resting length.

Question 8

Pilates

Answer 8

A modality that focuses on strengthening the abdominal core and lower back, and is a popular method of training for dancers.

Question 9

Physical therapy

Answer 9

A modality that includes soft tissue manipulation, electrotherapy, additive devices, therapeutic exercise, patient education and training performed or guided by a licensed practitioner with the goal of restoring mobility, stability, and physical function impaired by disease, injury, or disability.

Question 10

Sensory receptors

Answer 10

Sensory receptors can be classified by the type of stimulus that generates a response in the receptor. Broadly, sensory receptors respond to one of four primary stimuli: chemicals, temperature, pressure, and light.

Question 11

Upper crossed syndrome

Answer 11

A distortion that can negatively impact voice production which can cause a foreshortened and tight upper trapezius, pectoralis, and SCM with an accompanying elongation and weakening of the deep neck flexors and muscles of the mid and upper back, in addition to a protruding head, shoulder rounding and collapsed chest resulting in restricted free movement of the neck, laryngeal musculature, and ribcage.

Question 12

Vestibular system

Answer 12

The sensorimotor system responsible for maintaining balance and bodily orientation relative to gravity.

Question 13

Yoga

Answer 13

A modality that is focused on finding mind-body balance through exercises that include a series of poses and breath work