Health, Fitness, and Movement for the Performing Artist

Body Awareness Through Movement

Performing artists, including actors, athletes, dancers and non-dancers should become knowledgeable of various body awareness techniques that can addresses their individual movement needs. Generally, these techniques comprise stretching, improvisational dance methods, and relaxation. These techniques, once acquired, could help to develop a new comfort level with the body, a greater sense of space and increased ease of motion. More specific examples of such techniques includes the following:

Ch'i kung exercise for health. Ch'i kung is a mental and physical training method that promotes the circulation of ch'i (a form of bioenergy) in the body. Ch'i kung is said to help prevent and treat illness, increase strength, release stress, reduce body fat, improve work efficiency, resist premature senility, and achieve harmony of body, mind and spirit.

F.M. Alexander Technique. The Alexander Technique does not involve exercises, forms of psychotherapy, or spiritual healing techniques. It is also unlike the manipulations of bodywork or manual healing techniques: Rather than approaching the body as a set of separate areas, a skilled teacher guides a student through movement, observing and working with whole patterns of coordination, which include tension and postural patterns, how a student thinks about moving, and active movement itself. The student actively participates in this process, learning to apply his own intelligence to change habits effectively. Benefits reportedly include easier movement, improved alignment, more natural breathing, and, most importantly, the development of skills to deal with habits on a general basis.

Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini yoga, also called the "yoga of awareness", reportedly offers a powerful technique for relaxation, fitness and spiritual development. It combines stretching, flexing, twisting, balancing, breathing, deep relaxation and meditation. Benefits include enhanced physical and mental flexibility and balance, reduced stress, and more focused energy.

Pilates Conditioning Floor exercises that correct posture, improve range of motion and strength, and help develop a firm central support for movement.

Qi Gong (Chinese yoga). Moving and standing meditation techniques said to integrate the body, mind and breath. These exercises are practiced to help relieve stress, calm the mind, build stamina, and improve flexibility and overall health.

Stretching, Strength and Balance. Stretching leads to enhanced flexibility and increased range of motion. Newer techniques of facilitated stretching (PNF/CRAC), active-isolated stretching, and Swiss ball stretches have evolved and supplement the traditional stretches. Techniques should also integrate breathing, relaxation, and mental focus, and strengthening of the trunk and legs.

Swiss Ball. Exercise techniques with an oversized inflated rubber ball. Both strength and flexibility are worked on, with a special emphasis on core/trunk stabilization, balance and coordination.

T'ai Chi. T'ai chi ch'uan is an ancient form of Chinese exercise. Quiet, supple movements are performed in a calm and peaceful manner that cultivates the spirit and body. Common routines focus on the 24-forms t'ai chi sequence.

Yoga. Yoga is known to engage and balance the body, mind and spirit. It stretches, strengthens, and relaxes your body while tuning vitality and overall health. It can also promote body awareness, breathing techniques, and self-acceptance to help you experience inner peace and develop a trusting relationship with your body.

Developing Your Voice and Improving Your Body

As an actor, your job is to communicate to an audience with your voice and your body. If no one can understand what you are saying, no amount of acting ability can help you land a role. Voice lessons can be as simple as learning how to breathe and project your voice. By learning these techniques, you can speak clearly for long periods of time without straining your voice. For added versatility, you may also want to consider taking singing lessons. Singing lessons can teach you how to control your voice, while also giving you the chance to audition and perform in musicals or commercial roles that may require a trained singer.

Besides developing and training your voice, you also need to develop and train your body. Start a regular exercise program to keep your body in good shape so that you will be healthy enough to attend auditions and play any role you can get. Additional training such as movement classes can help improve the body gestures that are part of acting. Learning the art of miming can teach you how to express yourself without relying on words. Dance lessons not only exercise and coordinate your body but also improve the chances of landing a role in a musical.

Because many films and television shows emphasize the martial arts, consider taking martial arts classes to get your exercise and also to gain another important skill that may help you land a particular acting role requiring stunts and combat actions. Fencing classes can improve your coordination while teaching you to use a sword in case you get a role that requires a sword fight.

Performing Arts Clinics

There are medical clinics around the country specially geared to the needs for performing artists. Here is a listing of some of them:

PERFORMING ARTS MEDICINE CLINICS

IN THE U.S.A.

CALIFORNIA
Performing Arts Physical Therapy Mindy Boehnert, RPT 8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300 West Hollywood CA 90069 Phone: 310-659-1077	Performing Arts Medicine Program Glendale Aventist Med Center 1509 Wilson Terrace Glendale CA 91026 Phone: 818-409-8070	Southern Cal Arts Medicine Program Martha Patterson, OTR 3413 Suite 204 Burbank CA 91505 Phone: 818-953-4430
The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. Frank R. Wilson, M.D. 7601 Stoneridge Drive Pleasanton CA 94588 Phone: 510-847-5545	Health Prog for Performing Artists Dr. Peter Oswald San Francisco Medical Center 401 Paramus Avenue, Room 369 San Francisco CA 94143 Phone: 415-476-7465
COLORADO
University of Colorado Health Science Center Dr. Stuart Schneck Department of Neurology Box B 183 4200 E. Ninth Ave Denver CO 80262 Phone: 303-270-7566
GEORGIA
Speizer Chiropractic 220 Sandy Springs Circle Atlanta, GA 30328 5 chiropractors, two massage therapists, one hypnotherapist. Dr. Rick Speizer is also back stage for most of the Broadway tours at the Fox Theatre. Phone: 404 255-9075
ILLINOIS
Medical Prog for Performing Artists Dr. Alice Brandfonbrener Rehab Institute of Chicago 345 E. Superior Street Chicago IL 60611 Phone: 312-908-2787
MASSACHUSETTS
Musical Medicine Clinic Dr. Fred Hochberg Mass General Hospital 1 Hawthorn Pl. Suite 103 Boston MA 02114 Phone: 617-726-8657	Performing Arts Clinic (changed) Department of Neurology Harvard Medical School Brigham and Women's Hospital 75 Francis Street Boston MA 02115 Phone: 617-732-7432	Michael E. Charness, M.D. Department of Neurology Harvard Medical School 1400 VFW Parkway West Roxbury, MA 02132 Phone: 617-325-2815 Fax: 617-363-5592 Email: michael_charness@hms.harvard.edu
Spaulding Neigborhood Rehab Center Dr. Clay Miller Performing Arts Med Program 410 Stuart Street Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617-859-9971
MARYLAND
Jan Dommerholt, PT, MPS (changed) Pain & Rehabilitation Medicine 7830 Old Georgetown Road, Suite C-15 Bethesda, MD 20814-2432 Email: dommerholt@painpoints.com Phone: 301-656-0220 Fax: 301-654-0333
MICHIGAN
Arts Medicine Division Wayne State University Heath Center 4201 Street Antoine, Suite 4J Detroit MI 48201 Phone: 313-577-6859
MINNESOTA
Instrumental Artists Hotline Dr. Jeanine Speier Sister Kenny Institute 800 E. 28th Street Minneapolis MN 55407 Phone: 612-863-4495
MISSOURI
Medical Center for the Performing Arts Dr. Jerome Gilden Jewish Hospital 216 S. Kingshighway Street Louis MO 63110 Phone: 314-454-7827	Neurologic Restoration Center Dr. Simon Horenstein Bethesda Hospital 3655 Vista Avenue Street Louis MO 63110 Phone: 314-776-8100
NORTH CAROLINA
Clinical Rehab Associates Suzanne Sesnie 4505 Fair Meadow Lane Suite 104 Raleigh NC 27607 Phone: 919-420-0006	Arts Medicine Program Dr. Patrick Kenan Duke University Medical Center Box 3017 Durham NC 27710 Phone: 919-684-2027
NEW YORK
Harkness Center for Dance Injuries Dr. Donald Rose Hospital for Joint Disease 301 E. 17th Street New York NY 10003 Phone: 212-598-6022	Performing Arts Physical Therapy Sean Gallagher 311 west 43rd Street, Suite 405 New York, NY 10036 Phone: 212-245-PAPT (7278) Fax: 212 245-7461 Email: spgpt@aol.com	Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Dr. Matthew Lee NY University School of Medicine 400 E. 34th Street New York NY 10016 Phone: 212-263-6037
Miller Institute for Performing Artists Dr. Mitchell Kahn, medical director Street Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital 425 W. 59th Street Suite 6A New York NY 10019 Phone: 212-523-6200 http://www.millerinstitute.org	Performing Arts Physical Therapy Sean P. Gallagher, P.T. 2121 Broadway Suite 201 New York NY 10023 Phone: 212-769-1423	Helen Hayes Hospital Dr. Vasoma Challenor Dept. of Rehabilitation Med Route 9W West Haverstraw NY 10993 Phone: 914-947-3000
Performing Artists Clinic Dr. Alan Lockwood State University of New York 50 CFS Addition Buffalo NY 14214 Phone: 716-829-2600	Ithaca College's School of Health Science and Human Performance and the School of Music have been closely involved in developing many aspects of performing arts medicine. The Health and Performance Institute for Musicians is held at Ithaca College. Musicians and health care providers from around the country attend lectures and workshops concerning the human body's function and learn about prevention of music-related injuries. http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/nquarrie/
OHIO
Medical Center for Performing Artists Dr. Richard Lederman Cleveland Clinic Foundation 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland OH 44195 Phone: 216-444-5545	Clinic for the Performing Arts Dr. James Sammarco 2123 Auburn Avenue Suite 235 Cincinnati OH 45219-2963 Phone: 513-651-0094
PENNSYLVANIA
Arts Medicine Center Dr. Robert Sataloff Thomas Jefferson University 1721 Pine Street Philadelphia PA 19103 Phone: 215-545-3322	Performing Arts Physical Therapy at The Pennsylvania Ballet Sean P. Gallagher, PT 1101 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 Phone: 215-551-4694
TEXAS
Texas Arts Medicine Center at Personal Physician Group Rebecca Clearman MD, CEO 5219 Caroline Houston, TX 77004 Phone: 713-524-9800 Fax: 713-524-1115 http://www.PersonalPhysicianGroup.com
WASHINGTON
Clinic for Performing Artists Dr. Michael Weinstein Virginia Mason Medical Center 1100 9th Avenue P.O. Box 900 Seattle WA 98111 Phone: 206-223-6600

Useful Books

Through the Body: A Practical Guide to Physical Theatre by Dymphna Callery 256 pages; (May 2002) Theatre Arts Books; ISBN: 0878301240	Diet for Dancers: A Complete Guide to Nutrition and Weight Control by Robin D. Chmelar, Sally S. Fitt 164 pages; (May 1995) Princeton Book Co.; ISBN: 0916622894	The Articulate Body: The Physical Training of the Actor by Anne Dennis 212 pages; (February 1995) Drama Book Publishers; ISBN: 0896761339
TAP! The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories 1900-1955 by Rusty E. Frank, Gregory Hines 342 pages; (April 1995) DaCapo Press; ISBN: 0306806355	The Souls of Your Feet - A Tap Dance Guidebook for Rhythm Explorers by Acia M. Gray, Elizabeth Cruger 186 pages; (September 1998) Grand Weaver's Publishing; ISBN: 0966744500	Frank Hatchett's Jazz Dance by Frank Hatchett, Nancy Myers Gitlin, Nancy Myers Gitlin 184 pages; (March 2000) Human Kinetics (T); ISBN: 0736000259
Martha Graham: The Evolution of Her Dance Theory and Training by Marian Horosko, Madeleine Nichols 274 pages; (June 2002) University Press of Florida (T); ISBN: 0813024730	Jazz Tap: From African Drums to American Feet (African Diaspora) by Anne E. Johnson 64 pages; (July 1999) Rosen Publishing Group; ISBN: 0823918564	Dancers’ Body Book by Allegra Kent, James Camner, Constance Camner 220 pages; (March 1984) William Morrow & Co; ISBN: 0688015395
The Tap Dance Dictionary by Mark Knowles 264 pages; (July 1998) McFarland & Company; ISBN: 0786403527	Luigi's Jazz Warm Up: An Introduction to Jazz Style & Technique by Luigi, Lorraine Person Kriegel, Francis Roach 181 pages; (May 1997) Princeton Book Co Pub; ISBN: 0871272024	The Body Speaks Performance and Expression by Lorna Marshall; Yoshi Oida 240 pages; (Dec 2002) Palgrave MacMillan; ISBN 1403960283
The New York City Ballet Workout: Fifty Stretches and Exercises Anyone Can Do for a Strong, Graceful, and Sculpted Body by Peter Martins 256 pages; (January 1997) William Morrow & Co; ISBN: 0688152023	The Body Can Speak: Essays on Creative Movement Education With Emphasis on Dance and Drama by Annelise Mertz (Editor), Joseph Roach 148 pages; (June 2002) Southern Illinois University Press; ISBN: 0809324199	The Joffrey Ballet School’s Ballet-Fit by Dena Simone Moss, Allison Kyle Leopold, Joffrey Ballet School, Steve Ladner 208 pages; (March 1999) Griffin Trade Paperback; ISBN: 0312194706
Movement for Actors by Nicole Potter 288 pages; (July 2002) Allworth Press; ISBN: 1581152337	At Work With Grotowski on Physical Actions by Thomas Richards, Jerzy Grotowski 160 pages; (September 1995) Routledge; ISBN: 0415124921	Environmental Theater by Richard Schechner 384 pages; (April 1994) Applause Theatre Book; ISBN: 1557831785
Ear Training for the Body: A Dancer's Guide to Music by Katherine Teck 321 pages; (September 1994) Princeton Books; ISBN: 0871271923	An Acrobat of the Heart: A Physical Approach to Acting by Stephen Wangh, Andre Gregory 288 pages; (September 2000) Vintage Books; ISBN: 0375706720	The Grotowski Sourcebook by Lisa Wolford 480 pages; (May 2001) Routledge; ISBN: 0415131111

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Relevant Associations & Organizations

Actors' Fund of America 729 Seventh Avenue, 10th Floor New York, New York 10019 Phone: 212-221-7300 Fax: 212-764-0238 A nonprofit organization founded in 1882, committed to helping show business professionals in times of need with programs in health, human services and work programs. Email: ccooke@actorsfund.org http://www.actorsfund.org/	Dance/USA 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 820 Washington, DC, 20005-1726 Phone: 202-833-1717 Fax: 202-833-2686 Advances the art form of dance by addressing the needs, concerns and interests of the professional dance community through journals, monthly member bulletins, specialized listservs, and a collection of studies and booklets. Email: danceusa@danceusa.org http://www.danceusa.org/	Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) EIC West Coast 500 S. Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91521-7283 Phone: 818-955-6845 Fax: 818-955-6870 Founded in 1983 to provide information, awareness and understanding of major health and social issues among the entertainment industries and to audiences at large. Email eicwest@eiconline.org http://eiconline.org/
Feldenkrais Guild UK P.O. Box 370 London, W10 3 XA Phone: 07000-785506 Fax : 0122-861530 The Feldenkrais Guild UK is a non-profit professional organisation of practitioners and teachers of The Feldenkrais Method®. The Feldenkrais Method® teaches how to improve movement, flexibility and posture, reduce pain, stiffness and stress. Emial: enquiries@feldenkrais.co.uk http://www.feldenkrais.co.uk/	Health & Retirement Funds (AFTRA) 261 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Phone: 212-499-4800 Toll Free: 800-562-4690 Provides you with the most current information regarding your health and retirement benefits. Email: info@aftrahr.com http://www.aftrahr.com/	Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation 55 Bethune Street New York, NY 10014 Phone: 212-691-9751, ext. 30 Multi-faceted support group for dancers, musicians and media artists. Email: info@merce.org http://www.merce.org/
Motion Picture & Television Fund Social and Charitable Services 335 North La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90036-2584 Phone: 323-634-3800 or 818-876-1080 Serving the health and human service needs of California's entertainment community through health care, child care, retirement and social/charitable services. Particular emphasis is placed on the Motion Picture & Television Hospital, five health centers, financial assistance and community outreach programs, a retirement community and the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Children's Center. Email: webmaster@securemptvfund.org http://www.mptvfund.org/	Performing Arts Medicine Association PO Box 61228 Denver, CO 80206 An organization of physicians and other allied professionals dedicated to improving the health care and treatment of performing artists through education, research, and teaching. Phone: 303-632-9255 Email: ArtsMed@aol.com http://www.artsmed.org	SAG Pension & Health Funds Burbank Plan Office 3601 West Olive Avenue P.O. Box 7830 Burbank, CA 91510-7830 Phone: 818-954-9400 or 800-777-4013 (outside the Los Angeles Area) Fax: 818-953-9880 This site provides you with the most current information regarding your health and pension benefits Email: psd@sagph.org http://www.sagph.org/
The Shiatsu Society Eastlands Court St Peters Road Rugby CV21 3QP Phone: 0845-130 4560 Fax: 01788-555052 The Society was set up in 1981 to facilitate communication within the field of Shiatsu and to inform the public of the benefits of this form of natural healing. Email: admin@shiatsu.org http://www.shiatsu.org	Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique 1st floor, Linton House 39-51 Highgate Road London, NW5 1RS Phone: +44-020-7284-3338 Fax: +44-020-7482-5435 The Technique is taught in music and drama colleges worldwide and, due to its positive influence on coordination, is seen as an essential element in a performer's training. Email: info@stat.org.uk http://www.stat.org.uk/	Tarjan Center for Developmental Disabilities c/o National Arts and Disability Center UCLA University Affiliated Program 300 UCLA Medical Plaza Suite 3330 Los Angeles, CA 90095-6967 Phone: 310-794-1141 Email: oraynor@mednet.ucla.edu

For a full listing of helpful associations and organizations click here