Tag: anatomy

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News / Announcements

No Diagram Anatomy Returns – February 2025

image described in post

Announcing a new series of three no diagram anatomy workshops open to all (with priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

All workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for any or all workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, February 8: The Dorsal Complex (Back Class)

This workshop will break down all of the anatomical structures of the back, including bones, connective tissue, and muscles, and analyze the full biomechanics of the dorsal complex, including how they move the arms and torso. One of the largest, most complex, and least understood regions of the human body demystified!

Saturday, February 15: The Somatosensory System (The Sense of Touch)

This workshop explains how the human sense of touch works, from the stimulation of the sensory nerve all the way to understanding and interpretation by the brain. Understand how to categorize and analyze the different types of touch sensation and how the nervous system receives them, and even try out some tactile illusions!

Saturday, February 22: The Pelvic Floor (The One We’ve All Been Waiting For!)

This workshop has a full breakdown of the skeletal and muscular structures that contribute to the pelvic floor and also the organs associated with this region of the human body. The pelvic floor has become a popular marketing topic for many pseudoscientific grifters looking to take advantage of dancers particularly — knowledge is power, and knowing the truth about this area of the body can keep you, your health, and your money much safer!

On a light blue background with some white areas, a continuous line drawing shows a person standing with their hands together.

Black text reads:


DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN


NO DIAGRAM ANATOMY

3 classes online via Zoom

No experience necessary

Info/register:

darkroomballet.com

or

LINK IN BIO

Saturday, February 8: The Dorsal Complex

Saturday, February 15: The Somatosensory System

Saturday, February 22: The Pelvic Floor

Categories
News / Announcements

No Diagram Anatomy Returns for Spring 2024!

image is described at the end of the post

Announcing a new series of three no-diagram anatomy workshops open to all (with priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

Sponsored by Movement Research, all workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for any or all workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, May 18, 2024:
The Maxillofacial Complex (Face and Jaw Class)

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the underlying structures, biomechanics, and muscular actions in the human face and jaw. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, facial expressions, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the maxillofacial complex, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to how and why our faces move the way that they do. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:
  • The underlying structures of the maxillofacial complex
  • The biomechanical processes of the face and jaw
  • The muscles associated with facial expressions
  • The muscles associated with mastication

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Saturday, May 25, 2024:
The Auditory System (How We Hear)

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the physical structures involved with hearing, as well as an overview of how the sensory neurons involved with hearing work and what sound actually is. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, listening activities, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the auditory system, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to how to listen in a truly active, informative way. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:
  • The physical structures of the auditory complex (bones, muscles, connective tissue)
  • How sensory neurons provide us information about sound
  • An understanding of what sound actually is
  • Strategies to develop metacognition around our listening skills

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Saturday, June 1, 2024:
The Genu-Femoral Complex (Knee and Thigh Class)

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the bones, muscles, connective tissues, biomechanics, and nerves of the knee and thigh. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the genu-femoral complex, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning surrounding this extremely strong but extremely fragile region of the human body. This workshop will address injury prevention and injury recovery! Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:
  • The bones of the genu-femoral complex
  • The muscles and biomechanical functions of the genu-femoral complex
  • The connective tissues of the genu-femoral complex
  • The nerve and nerve complexes of the genu-femoral complex
  • Ways of reducing injury risk and addressing injuries compassionately

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Image description:

A promotional graphic for the upcoming “No Diagram Anatomy” cycle is divided into six colorful sections, each featuring a simplified illustration of a part of the human skeletal system (not specific to the classes themselves):
In the top left yellow square is a green pelvis
In the top center blue square is a yellow skull

In the top right yellow skull, a pink ribcage
The bottom left blue square shows a red elbow joint
The bottom center red square shows part of a yellow vertebra
The bottom right green square shows part of a yellow femur bone

In front of the image, a white rectangle with black text reads:
No Diagram Anatomy
Dark Room Ballet with Krishna Washburn
Spring 2024

Categories
News / Announcements

No Diagram Anatomy returns for November & December 2023!

Image description at the end of post

Announcing a new series of three no-diagram anatomy workshops open to all (with priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

Sponsored by Movement Research, all workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for any or all workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, November 18, 2023:
The Dark Room Presents No Diagram Anatomy – The Respiratory System

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the organs, muscles, nerves, and connective tissues associated with the human respiratory system. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, breathing, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the respiratory system, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to how we breathe. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:
  • The organs and organ components of respiration
  • The muscles and nerves tasked with facilitating respiration
  • The biochemical processes of respiration and how they affect the body
  • The connective tissues that support the respiratory system

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Saturday, December 9, 2023:
The Dark Room Presents No Diagram Anatomy – The Spinal Complex

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the spinal complex, which includes the skeletal spinal column, the spinal cord and related nerve plexuses, and the layers of musculature that enable spinal movement. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the spinal complex, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to our spines. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:
  • The bones of the spinal column
  • The connective tissues of the spinal complex
  • The spinal cord itself and its emergent nerve plexuses
  • The layers of torso muscle that act on the spine and create movement

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Saturday, December 16, 2023: The Dark Room Presents No Diagram Anatomy – The Iliopsoas Complex

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the iliopsoas complex and surrounding pelvic tissues, including the components of the pelvic floor. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the spinal complex, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to our spines. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:
  • The skeletal framework of the iliopsoas complex and pelvic floor
  • The muscular components of the iliopsoas complex
  • The connective tissues of iliopsoas complex and pelvic floor
  • The nerves and nerve plexuses of the iliopsoas complex and pelvic floor
  • Overview of the organs associated with the pelvic floor

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams

*All of these No Diagram Anatomy topics were requested by current Dark Room students! If you are a current or prospective Dark Room student who wants a nitty-gritty anatomy workshop on a specific part of the human body, Krishna will honor your requests for her next semester of courses!

Image description:
A workshop informational poster, anchored at the left with an an abstract image of two dancers with blurred features, wearing flowing, sleeveless, rainbow-colored dresses. A third dancer is just out of frame, and additional arms are visible, along with slender legs and pointed toes.

On black and white backgrounds, contrasting text reads:


DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN Announcing a new series of 3 no-diagram anatomy workshops open to all (with priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

November 18th
The Respiratory System

December 9th
The Spinal Complex

December 16th
The Iliopsoas Complex

3 SATURDAYS 4 PM to 6 PM via ZOOM

CLASS & REGISTRATION INFO AT LINK IN BIO

Categories
News / Announcements

APRIL WORKSHOPS — No Diagram Anatomy: The Distal & Proximal Arm Complex (ARM CLASS)

described in caption
Image is a flyer that contains all the info in this message/post, in white, black blue and orange text on a primarily blue and sometimes yellow backgrounds. The main image is of Krishna in a wearable art piece by artist Ntilit. Krishna is seen from the side, with hair braided, her eyes covered with black and white cups, and her arms bent, one close to the body and one in front of her face, both wrapped by small dark pillows that are filled with small bells and crinkle balls (inside unseen).

Hosted by Movement Research, Dark Room Ballet anatomy workshops are designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired adults (though all are welcome).

NOTE: This is a FREE class, but donations are welcomed.

No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room:

➣ The Distal Arm Complex (April 1)

➣ The Proximal Arm Complex (April 8)

4 PM to 5:30 PM (Eastern / New York Time)
This workshop is offered online via Zoom – participants can attend ONE or BOTH sessions.


To register, please email: 
info@darkroomballet.com and let us know which sessions you would like to attend

Workshop Description

In this two-part workshop on the complete arm complex, we will use movement, touch, and conversation to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the shoulder, arm, and hand, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning in this area. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop.

No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in these two workshops will include:
  • The skeletal structure of the shoulder, arm, and hand
  • The locations and functions of musculature of the shoulder, arm, and hand, and their relationships to commonly known dance vocabulary
  • The nerves and nerve plexuses of the shoulder, arm, and hand, and what it means to cultivate neurological connection to this part of the body
  • The connective tissues (fascia, tendons, cartilages and ligaments) of the shoulder, arm, and hand.

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop. Although these two workshops are meant to be taken together, students are allowed to register for one or the other and they can both stand alone.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

About No Diagram Anatomy Workshop Series

No Diagram Anatomy workshops are in-depth dancer’s anatomy workshops that de-center sight and are designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people. Participants will learn about their bodies’ layered anatomy from the outside-in using a combination of guided audio description, imagination, touch, and movement experimentation, and will also be given opportunities to practice talking about how the movement feels in the body (self-audio description).

Categories
News / Announcements

WORKSHOP: No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room Presents: The Lower Leg Complex (Foot Class) – Saturday, October 29th

image described in caption
In this image, a pair of bare feet is together at the ankles. The left foot points up, and the right foot angles more to the right, with toes more curled. They are strong disabled dancer feet with tendons visible and a bandaid further up on the right leg. The image has been tinted so the feet and legs appear to be purple. In the foreground, a gradient purple background is layered with a light teal background above it, and against these backgrounds there is text in different areas, in white, purple and black fonts. The text reads: DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN SATURDAY OCT 29TH 4 PM TO 6 PM (Eastern/New York Time) No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room Presents: The Lower Leg Complex (Foot Class) No prior knowledge required Priority given to Blind/Vl students All Dark Room Ballet classes and workshops take place online via Zoom - visit darkroomballet.com or LINK IN BIO for more info

Hosted by Movement Research, Dark Room Ballet is designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired adults.

NOTE: This is a FREE class, but donations are welcomed.

No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room Presents:

The Lower Leg Complex (Foot Class)


Saturday, October 29th , 2022
4 PM to 6 PM (Eastern / New York Time)

NOTE: This is a 2 hour class

This workshop is offered online via Zoom


To register, please email: 
info@darkroomballet.com

Workshop Description

The third and final in a series of three highly detailed workshops analyzing specific anatomical areas in detail. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, and conversation to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the lower leg complex (the foot and related structures!), but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning in this area. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:

  • The skeletal structure of the lower leg, ankle, and foot
  • The locations and functions of musculature of the lower leg, ankle, and foot, and their relationships to commonly known dance vocabulary
  • The nerves and nerve plexuses of the lower leg, ankle, and foot, and what it means to cultivate neurological connection to this part of the body
  • The connective tissues (fascia, tendons, cartilages and ligaments) of the lower leg, ankle and foot.

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Categories
News / Announcements

WORKSHOP RESCHEDULED: No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room: The Cervical Complex (Neck Class) – Friday, August 26th

Image described in caption
On a gray gradient background that transitions into white, a photo of Krishna in a side profile, edited in green and purple tones . Her hair is pinned up, she wears a short sleeve black top, and a large necklace of translucent stones around her neck. On a diagonal, highlighted in yellow over part of the image is the word: RESCHEDULED Black and white text across the rest of the image reads: DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN FRIDAY AUGUST 26 6 PM to 7:30 PM (Eastern/New York Time) No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room: The Cervical Complex ("Neck Class”) No prior knowledge required - priority given to Blind/Vl students All Dark Room Ballet classes and workshops take place online via Zoom - visit darkroomballet.com or LINK IN BIO for more info

Hosted by Movement Research, Dark Room Ballet is designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired adults.

Note: This is a FREE class, but donations are welcomed.

No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room presents:

Anatomy in Detail:
The Cervical Complex (Neck Class)

NEW DATE & TIME!

FRIDAY, August 26th, 2022
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (Eastern/New York Time)


This workshop is offered online via Zoom


To register, please email: 
info@darkroomballet.com

Workshop Description


The second in a series of three highly detailed workshops analyzing specific anatomical areas in detail. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, and conversation to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the cervical complex (the neck!), but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning in this area. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:

  1. The cervical spine, the hyoid bone, and neighboring related skeletal features
  2. The layered musculature of the front, sides, and back of the neck
  3. The cervical spinal cord, nerves and nerve plexuses of the neck
  4. Organ systems of the neck (respiratory, digestive, endocrine)

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop. This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

About No Diagram Anatomy Workshop Series


No Diagram Anatomy workshops are in-depth dancer’s anatomy workshops that de-center sight and are designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people. Participants will learn about their bodies’ layered anatomy from the outside-in using a combination of guided audio description, imagination, touch, and movement experimentation, and will also be given opportunities to practice talking about how the movement feels in the body (self-audio description).

For 2022, the theme for No Diagram Anatomy has been Nitty Gritty, in which a single anatomical region is demystified and explained in depth. These three workshops are:

  • The Gluteus Complex (Butt Class) (June 11, 2022)
  • The Cervical Complex (Neck Class) (Rescheduled to August 26, 2022)
  • The Lower Leg Complex (Foot Class) – (October 29, 2022)
Categories
News / Announcements

JUNE WORKSHOPS: Anatomy and Audio Description

image as originally shared and described on Instagram: A flyer with a black background and combinations of dark orange and white text, an orange banner at the bottom with black text. Dark Room Ballet with Krishna Washburn JUNE WORKSHOPS Black and white photo in the center: Krishna seen from the waist up in a rehearsal studio, with eyes closed, head tilted back, arms apart and fingers bent in various positions, sensing her body’s internal rhythms. TEXT CONTINUES: No prior knowledge required - priority given to Blind/VI students Anatomy ("Butt Class") - Sat. June 11 Audio Description - Sat. June 18 4 PM to 5:30 PM (Eastern / New York Time) All Dark Room Ballet classes and workshops take place online via Zoom - visit darkroomballet.com or LINK IN BIO for more info!
Instagram promotional image (described in alt-text)

Announcing two upcoming workshops open to all (priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

Both workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for one or both workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the intake process.

Saturday, June 11, 2022

4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Eastern Time)

No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room Presents Anatomy in Detail: The Gluteus Complex (Butt Class) 

(link to Movement Research class listing)

The first in a series of three highly detailed workshops analyzing specific anatomical areas in detail. In this workshop, we will use movement and conversation to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the gluteus complex (the butt!), but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning in this area. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Yes, we’ll be laughing, too.

Part One: Superficial muscles

Part Two: Intermedial muscles

Part Three: Deep muscles

Part Four: Bone

Part Five: Nerves and patterns of motor neuron response

Saturday, June 18, 2022

4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Eastern Time)

Voices from the Dark Room: The Multitude of Audio Descriptions and When to Touch Them 

(link to Movement Research class listing)

This self-audio description workshop gives students the framework for thinking of audio description as not a singular process with a singular best practice, but as multiple art forms with multiple purposes. Audio description has, for too long, been considered as an access tool that can be deployed at a moment’s notice with little forethought, but this sort of thinking creates environments of severe inequity. Classrooms, rehearsals, and performances where blind and visually impaired people are given inadequate connection to the art at their center are ableist places.

Part One: Audio Description in Technique Class

Part Two: Audio Description for Narrative Performance (story arc)

Part Three: Audio Description for Non-Linear Performance (emotional quality)

Part Four: Audio Description as Cooperative Creation and Collaboration (two voices)

Part Five: Audio Description for the Ensemble (a thousand voices)

Categories
News / Announcements

WORKSHOP: Self Audio-Description and the Motor Neuron: Learning How to Play Your Own Instrument, Wed. February 16th from 6 PM to 7 PM (Eastern Time)

Krishna Washburn of Dark Room Ballet will be sharing one of her popular anatomy and audio description workshops, this time sponsored by Hook & Loop out of Philadelphia (not Movement Research in NYC).

The Dark Room Ballet community and friends are invited — if you have participated in a version of this workshop before, please feel free to join again!

The workshop is free and will take place online; you must register directly with Hook & Loop to receive the Zoom information and recording after the event.

Description and RSVP link below.

Self Audio-Description and the Motor Neuron: Learning How to Play Your Own Instrument

Wednesday February 16th, 2022

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Eastern Time


Facilitated by Krishna Washburn
Closed Captioning available

This workshop helps people to begin developing a self-audio description practice, in order to create movement art that connects with others on a visceral level. This workshop de-centers and de-prioritizes sight, and is appropriate for movers and dancers of all levels of experience or inexperience. Learn how to understand how movement feels in your body, and then practice talking about those feelings with others while also learning about the wonders of human anatomy.

By RSVP-ing you will receive the zoom link, full access information and a recording for this workshop. Recordings will be sent out by early March via Hook & Loop.

Please fill out this form to RSVP: Self Audio-Description and the Motor Neuron: Learning How to Play Your Own Instrument

Please send email to hookandloopphl@gmail.com with any questions.