The Horton Technique

Horton is a major codified modern dance technique reputed to fortify, stretch, and strengthen the human body. A technique created by Mr. Ailey’s mentor Lester Horton in the 1930's and 1940's. A modern dance pioneer, Horton’s goal was to create a dance technique that was anatomically corrective and utilized the widest possible range of motion, with an emphasis on large, full movements done to musical phrases of varying lengths and dynamics.

Horton was trying to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical faults and prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow, a technique having all the basic movements which govern the actions of the body, combined with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense of artistic design.

In an interview Horton stated: “I am sincerely trying to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical faults and prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow, a technique having all the basic movements which govern the actions of the body, combined with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense of artistic design”. (from the book American Dancer Pierre, Dorathi Bock (New York, NY October 1937, pg. 37.

The basic warm involves: flat backs, primitive squat, descent and ascent, lateral stretches, release swings, leg swings and deep lunges. The shapes that are used throughout the training in Horton technique are emphasized: the T positions, stag position, cross lunge and coccyx balance. The Horton technique was designed with studies to stretch and strengthen different areas of the body. Many of the beginning level studies which are taught focus on the Achilles tendon, the abdominal muscles, and movements that lengthen the spine and the hamstring muscles. Simple combinations of movements that include turns and jumps are taught to introduce musicality and dynamics to the beginning dancer's vocabulary. Performance qualities are emphasized at the very beginning of the dancer's training.

See also:

* The Dance Technique of Lester Horton, Majorie B. Perces, Ana Marie Forsythe, Cheryl Bell, ©1992 Princeton Book Company
* Video: The Dance Technique of Lester Horton: An Advanced Beginners Class (available from Amazon.com)