Ballart Pro-medical

Tiara Z. RamirezProf. Laura García de la NocedaINGL 3103-07019 October 2016

Ballart Pro-medical:

Dancing is an international way of expression. It is subdivided in many genres that are influenced by a cultural background, each representing a different region. Although dancing styles vary greatly, ballet is globally known as the base of all the types of dancing. "Ballet originated into the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century" (A Brief History of Ballet). Steps where taught to nobility, and the court participated in the performances. The French courts began to incorporate ballet in its courts, with Catherine de Medici's help (A Brief History of Ballet). As established on the educational piece of “A Brief history of Ballet”, she encourage the growth of "ballet de cuor" which was then popularized and standarized by King louis XIV. He had such and art for ballet that it fostered from being a pastime to and endeavor requiring a professional training. 

As published on the official page of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater the article of “A Brief History of Ballet” is divided in three sections. These sections are: origins of ballet, the 19^th century and ballet today. Among these sections the evolution of the perspective and style of ballet is shared. The first style of ballet that was developed was by Jean George Naverre during the mid 1700s. He believed that ballet should contain expressive, dramatic movements that should reveal the relationships between characters introduced as a dramatic style of ballet that conveys narrative (A Brief History of Ballet). The 19th century was the time period in which ballet was introduced as romantic ballet in Russia, what is known as classical ballet was established (A Brief History of Ballet). The main purpose of this style was to "display classical technique to the fullest". Now in the 20th century ballet is multi-faceted, "classical forms, traditional stories and contemporary choreographic innovations intertwine to produce the character of modern art" (A Brief History of Ballet). As you can see the different styles evolved respectively with the time periods in which the educational piece was divided. The art form of ballet has changed up continuously, but now all styles are used and even matched up with other dancing styles. By doing this the classical style has been changed up completely and have given dancing a different perspective breaking the classical movement and techniques.

As seen on the title of this blogpost “Ballart Pro-medical” it has a usual alteration of the word Ballet, also combined with medicine. This is because Ballet is an art form of dancing that has numerous medical benefits, specifically neurological, for the human body. This leads to the discoveries published by the Harvard neurological department of the effects of dancing on the brain. The effects of dancing on the brain are so beneficial that it is used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurobiological movement disorder. "In a 2008 article in Scientific American magazine, a Columbia University neuroscientist posited that synchronizing music and movement—dance, essentially—constitutes a “pleasure double play.” Music stimulates the brain’s reward centers, while dance activates its sensory and motor circuits." (Dancing and the Brain). According to “Dancing and the Brain” it has been discovered that some brain regions are activated by dancing, but that the physical and expressive elements that are exposed thru dancing alter the brain function. This results in memory improvement to strengthened neuronal connections. Referring to the title again it can be reaffirmed that ballet is an art form that goes beyond what’s interpreted on stage by the audience. Every dancer while gracefully enjoying what they do is also exercising their body and stimulating the brain to a better development.