Mindful Rigor

A holistic framework merging ancient mindfulness with contemporary dance is presented in eight stages to elevate performance. Focusing on breath, internal dialogue, metacognition and flow, integrated exercises and insights empower dancers to enhance creative movement, well-being and stage presence. Mindful Rigor: Holistic Training to Enhance Dance Performance establishes a framework for integrating mindfulness into dance practice and performance. Clarifying the significance of mindfulness for dancers, the book begins by building awareness of this practice, acknowledging its roots in ancient Vedic teachings, yet presenting it through contemporary applications relevant to the dance community. Structured in eight chapters, the book includes themes of employing breath to inform movement, recognizing internal dialogue without judgment, developing metacognition to manage learning anxiety, embracing the present moment in movement, achieving flow in various environments, and integrating knowledge both within and beyond the dance studio. Notably, the text incorporates Dr. Brendan Murray's deep stabilizer activation video as well as Polyvagal Theory with respect to movement, courtesy of external contributor Amy Tabback. The inclusion of exercises by Alvin Rangel-Alvarado further broadens the book's perspective. Mindful Rigor is designed to complement dance and performing arts courses and programs that focus on performance enhancement, dancer health and wellness, dance pedagogy, and psychological approaches to dance training. Through its methodical examination of mental conditioning alongside physical training, it is an instrumental text for students seeking a profound and holistic approach to dance.