The Dancer's Brain

[Magic Hans]

The Dancer's Brain (http://www.youramazingbrain.org.uk/Brainbody/dancers.htm)

Interesting little article above on the 'Your Amazing Brain' site.

I was thinking that this was scientific type evidence of muscle memory, but I think it's a little different to that.

See what you think [other little interesting 'brain' stuff on there too!]

[ducasi]

Yeah, interesting article – I've read before about this "mirror neurons" thing (how your brain seems to internally make the same movements as ones you are watching, allowing you to then repeat it – basically how we can learn by watching.)

What was most interesting is how the brain "lights up" more when it sees movements it recognises, so the ballet dancer's brain "resonates" with another ballet dancers movements, but not so much with a capoeira dancer.

I went to a ballet last week, and I would occasionally see the dancers do "moves" which have a MJ parallel – and the resonation is palpable.

Fascinating stuff. :)

[J-J]

oooh kool:)

[Blueshoes]

It was pointed out to me recently that many of the better dancers seem to come from a professional background, especially people trained in IT skills. Could these skills be similar to those needed to interpret the music? Anyone care to comment?