Applied anatomy - functional training for dancers

This class combines many different training approaches into a single class and is intended to be a complement to dance technique training. Drawing on methodologies derived from pilates, the axis syllabus,and plyometrics amongst others, it provides the dancer with tools to improve their stamina, speed, power, strength and stability. An understanding of the structure and function of the body will be used to generate the parameters for a safe movement practice within which to train.




Gaining Momentum
Falling up

The movement vocabularies of this class are built by tipping into off balance and falling into movement. Falling is the most energy efficient movement for a dancer as gravity supplies the force of motion. Redirecting that energy into controlled movement makes for a cool ride. We will work with vocabularies that are falling towards and away from the floor both at the level of the floor and in standing. Various training modalities taken from the “functional training for dancers“ class will also be used to prepare the dancing body for motion.


Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith is a dancer/teacher/choreographer from New Zealand where he worked primarily with the dance company Black Grace but also with many other NZ companies. In Europe where he now lives he has worked with Random Scream of Belgium, Carol Brown Dances of London, company Willi Dorner and Theater Combinat of Austria, Impure Company of Norway which also collaborated with the Brazilian dance company Cena 11. Matthew performs around the world for Klaus Obermaier in "Apparition". His own work "observing observing" was presented at S.E.A.D and at the ITS festival in Amsterdam and his first full length work "Spin" premiered this February with the Studio Contemporary Dance Company in Zagreb. When not performing he is involved in education. He has taught pilates at P.A.R.T.S. in Belgium and with Babara Mayr at the Pilates Akademie in Vienna. He has taught contemporary technique for various companies in Europe and in the dance school S.E.A.D as well as teaching regularly at Tanzquartier Wien. He is a teacher of the Axis Syllabus which is an approach to movement and dance developed by Frey Faust. He is in the Masters programme at the British School of Osteopathy.