Technical Tuesday Cervical Vertebrae

Technical Tuesday Cervical Vertebrae

The part of the spinal column nearest the head is made up of the cervical vertebrae. Among all the vertebrae of the spine, these bones are the thinnest and most delicate, yet they support and provide mobility to the head. The cervical vertebrae consist of seven bones: C-1 – C-7. Also, many essential nerves and blood vessels pass through this area – like vessels that carry blood to the brain.

Dancers need to remember that this area of their body can be vulnerable to injury and they should always curve the neck, not “break” the neck when performing any type of port de bras back.

If a port de bras back is done by allowing the head to drop or hang backwards, it puts too much stress on the cervical vertebrae. Plus, it doesn’t simply doesn’t look good.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Anatomical Secret # 77

“Among the vertebrae of the spinal column, the cervical vertebrae are the thinnest.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSuQ-NQYUkE

Quote of the Day:

“We are at our most powerful the moment we no longer need to be powerful.” 
― Eric Micha'el Leventhal

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