Summative Project

Katie Bannister, Sherilyn Boyd, Mia Barnby and Ellen Booth

Backwards roll/ fish flop? From watching the performance of the activity we noticed; Neck Shortens Chest Raises Back Shortens Posterior surface does not move as a whole. E.g. the back

arches when moving backwards We perform this activity in one of our dance classes

on a weekly basis and therefore believe we would benefit from improvement.

What is the activity and Why did we choose it?

Method Of Improvement: -Observation

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“If we are having problems performing an activity,

then it may well be due to the way we are currently

doing it”

Investigation: -The Hypothesis

Set up:- Unstable

Activity: -

Method Of Improvement: -Observation Of Habitual Performance

Observation Of Habitual Performance

Observation Of Habitual Performance

Observation Of Habitual Performance

Method Of Improvement:-Solution

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Set up: -

Activity:-

Whilst practicing performing the activity with conscious direction we observed that we were still pulling down when walking backwards and relying on our legs to jump rather than sending the head.

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Method Of Improvement: -Conscious Direction

“It feels weird though”

Observation Of Conscious Direction

“The belief is very general that if we are told what to do in order to correct the wrong way of doing something, we can do it and if we feel we are doing it all is well” Alexander The Use of the Self pg33

F.M Alexander

Before:- When first performing the activity we found that we were just “end-

gaining” – (just doing it / doesn’t matter how we get the end result)

During:- Whilst practicing the activity after observing our habitual

performance we found we were consciously directing a lot more with practice and using PAUSING!

After:- When we had found out a new way of performing the activity we

found that we were using Alexander’s term “means-where by” more consciously –(where we worked out the best method to achieve by breaking it down and using a step by step approach). This would help if maintained in the future.

Method Of Improvement: - Strategy For Change

In order to ensure we still apply the new approach when in

different environments/ surroundings (real life) we need to

make sure we PAUSE before performing the activity and use

inhibition. We also need to

maintain conscious direction through out

to avoid misuse.

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People often assume that if someone explains and demonstrates an activity to you, then you can repeat it instantly. Have we found this to be true ??

Conclusion: -What did we find?

NO

To begin with we were;-Unsuccessful -Seemed to perform the activity in the original habitual way. -Always remember to pause.

When putting the activity in to practice we noticed;- Timing- Did not have time to pause- Persevere with conscious direction

We believe the hypothesis is correct because;-Although we only had limited time to apply the new activity we begun to notice that the problems we were experiencing before hand are less apparent.

-Therefore if we continue to put alexander's principles into practice this will prevent misuse and further problems.

Conclusion: - What did we find?

ALEXANDER, F . MATTHIAS. (2001) The use of the self: its conscious direction in relation to diagnosis, functioning and the control of a human reaction. London, Orion.

BASMAJIAN, J . V. (1998) Primary anatomy. Champaign, Illinois, Stripes Publishing.

Bibliography