Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction. Role of physical analysis -- Physics of dance -- Value of analysis to observers -- Value of analysis to dancers, teachers, and health professionals -- Communication : words, images, and photographs -- Balance. Condition for static balance -- Regaining balance -- Balance while rotating -- Final look -- Motions without turns. Acceleration from rest -- Motion in a curved path -- Stopping horizontal motion -- Vertical jumps -- Connections between horizontal and vertical motions -- Grand Jeté "floating" illusion -- Maximizing traveling leaps -- Landings from jumps -- Dance floors : elasticity and friction -- Final leap -- Pirouettes. Torque and rotational momentum in a pirouette -- Pirouettes en Dehors -- Another view of Pirouettes en Dehors -- Progression of Pirouettes en Dehors -- Pirouettes en Dedans -- Arabesque turn -- Illusion turn -- Grande Pirouette -- Fouetté turns -- Repeated pirouettes -- Final turn -- Turns in the air. Demi-fouette -- Tour jeté (grand jeté en tournant) -- Saut de basque and the turning assemblé -- Tour en l'air -- Final leap -- Pas de deux. History and appeal of the pas de deux -- Who's responsible for what? -- Physical interactions between partners -- Balance --Accelerating motions -- Final poses-- To the next step -- Mechanics of partnered turns. Starting a supported pirouette -- Balance during a supported pirouette -- Stopping rotation -- Other supported turns -- Final turn -- Mechanics of lifts. Straight lift -- Arabesque lift -- Overhead lifts -- Other lifts -- Catches -- Final thrust -- Effects of body size. Height of a vertical jump -- Entrechats -- Horizontal accelerations and body size -- Body size and pirouettes -- Adagio movements -- Body size and partnered dance -- Effects of body shape -- Final comparison -- Step into the future.