Contemporary Dance Elements

Feet Positions 

First - heels touching, feet form a straight line. 

Second - heels wide apart, feet form a straight line.

Third - one foot in front of the other with heel against the instep.

Fourth - feet apart, one in front of the other, heels in line.

Parallel

Feet side by side, apart at the distance of the centre of hips.

Important foot position in terms of contemporary dance as it allows rotation to come from your hips. 

Working gently from parallel to turnout will also help you to feel whether the knees or ankles are starting to twist.

Spine Positions 

Proper body alignment and posture are essential to dancers as it makes them appear more confident. 

Improves overall balance and body control in terms of contemporary dance. 

Flexed & Pointed Feet 

A flexed foot is a movement in which the top of your foot points away from your leg.

A pointed foot is to bend your foot down so that the top of it and the front of your leg form a straight line.

No limits restrictions

Allowing your body to move freely without restriction, letting your body move its own way without the restraints of the technique.

Giving in to gravity

Allowing your body to naturally fall and tilt, giving in to the floor rather than defying the gravity.

Flowing movements

Movements that are fluid into each other and run smoothly throughout the dance.

Release

Releasing any tension within your body and allowing yourself to move smoothly.

Improvisation

Own individual interpretations and ideas, you can use one part of your body to lead the movements.

Pedestrian

Every day movements and gestures such as walking that can be used in a dance.

Not pretty

Allow your movements to look distorted and unnatural, not focusing on how pretty and elegant you look. 

Energy

Being less graceful in your movements, and putting more energy into them.