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Free Workshops Explore Muscle, Skeletal Systems and Movement

Duke community members can join the interdisciplinary programs

"Namely, Muscles," choreographed by Claire Porter, is an evening-length solo dance theater work. It culminates a week of free workshops about body movement. Photo courtesy of Richard Finkelstein.

In October, Duke community members can learn more about their bodies and how their muscles and skeletal system impact movement.

Two free, experiential workshops that explore the creative pedagogy of anatomy will take place on Oct. 1 and 2 as part of a performance and workshop residency interdisciplinary program. Led by visiting James Madison University faculty Sharon Babcock (associate professor of biology) and Kate Trammell (professor of dance), each session will focus on different aspects of anatomy. All Duke community members can participate for free, but must preregister online.

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Both events include discussion and in-class work that involve movement to put into practice lessons about the various bones and muscles. No previous yoga, dance or anatomical knowledge is needed to participate.

“Our hope is that people come away with an enhanced understanding of their own structure and function,” Trammell said. “Whether it’s a yoga practitioner or a dancer or a pre-med student, they’ll have a deeper understanding of how to use their bodies in movement that’s going to help their body’s longevity, whether it’s for facility or expressivity.”

From 4:40 to 6:10 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Hull Studio, participants will learn about the spine by using anatomical models and collaborative movement to better understand how individual vertebrae contributes to mobility and stability.

From 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Ark, Babcock and Trammell will teach about the importance of the heart, lungs and diaphragm to movement and life processes like breathing.

In addition to the workshops, a free dance performance will also be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Ark. Called “Namely, Muscles,” the event is an evening-length solo by 2013 Guggenheim Fellow Claire Porter, performed by Trammell. The comedic dance theater work showcases Trammell acting out more than 30 poems that highlight 68 major muscles of the human body. The performance will be followed by a panel discussion with Babcock and members of the Duke community.

“It’s a great chance to learn more about ourselves and who doesn’t benefit from knowing more about how we work?” Trammell said. “People may know more about how their cars work than how their bodies work, so it’s a chance to better understand the architecture of the body.”

The week of events and residency is co-sponsored by the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Dan Kiehart , Duke’s dean of Natural Sciences, the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts, and is supported by the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.