The frontal plane in dance, often referred to as the coronal plane, is an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into front and back sections. It is crucial for understanding all lateral or side-to-side movements a dancer performs, enabling precise execution and artistic expression across various dance styles.
Understanding the Frontal Plane in Movement
In anatomy and dance, the body's movement is analyzed across three fundamental planes: sagittal, frontal, and transverse. The frontal plane specifically slices through the body from ear to ear, separating the anterior (front) from the posterior (back). Movements performed within this plane occur parallel to it, emphasizing actions that take limbs or the torso directly to the side or away from the body's midline.
This plane is essential for developing a dancer's spatial awareness, balance, and the expansive quality of their movements. Mastering frontal plane movements contributes significantly to a dancer's technical proficiency and expressive range.
Key Frontal Plane Movements in Dance
Many foundational and advanced dance techniques rely heavily on movements that occur within the frontal plane. These movements typically involve moving limbs or the torso either away from or towards the body's central axis, or directly up and down for specific body parts.
Here are the primary types of movements associated with the frontal plane:
| Movement Type | Description | Dance Example | Extending a leg or arm away from the body's midline. | Battement à la seconde (leg lifted to the side), opening arms to the side in second position.
