Technical Tuesday Rectus
Abdominis
Dancers are frequently
admonished: “use your abdominals” or “suck in your stomach”. But what is
actually happening when you do this?
The large rectus
abdominis muscle extends from the pubic bone to the sternum, inside the
abdominal region. It is activated when a dancer does crunches. It pulls the
ribs in, and assists in flexing the torso. Three muscles that cross over and
under the rectus abdominis are: the internal oblique, the external oblique and
the transverse abdominis.
Strength in this area is
critical for a dancer, since the rectus abdominis helps support the spine and
thus fosters correct balletic alignment.
In a very toned dancer,
it is the rectus abdominis that gives the appearance of a “six-pack” in the
front of the torso.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid # 94
“Breathing in and “sucking in the stomach” use
the rectus abdominis muscles.”
Links of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“The brain is like a muscle.
When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.”
― Carl Sagan
― Carl Sagan
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