2 3 Technical Tuesday Levator Scapulae | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Technical Tuesday Levator Scapulae



Technical Tuesday Levator Scapulae

The levator scapulae muscle sits at the side of the neck and back. Like the name implies, it levitates (lifts) the scapula (shoulder blade).  Therefore, when a dance teacher tells a student to put their shoulders down, the levator scapulae muscles are partially to blame.

For all my fellow science nerds, here is a description of what this muscle does: 

Elevating or rotating one shoulder at a time would require muscles to stabilize the cervical spine and keep it immobile so it does not flex or rotate. Elevating both at once with equal amounts of pull on both side of cervical spinal origins would counteract these forces. Downward rotation would be prevented by co-contraction of other muscles that elevate the spine, the upper fibers of the trapezius, which is an upward rotator.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levator_scapulae_muscle

Ballet dancers seldom injure this muscle, but symptoms of an injury can involve the usual suspects of pain, inflammation, and decreased movement.


From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Secret #27aaa:
“The  levator scapulae  lifts the scapula.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“I know I can depend on books in times of trouble because they have a spine and two wings”
― Ayse Aslihan Koksoy

                Help expand the knowledge base!
 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

Or visit my Pinterest page:

For interesting articles involving mental health:



No comments:

Post a Comment