1. Stand in First Position (heels together, toes apart) with straight knees.
2. Pull in the muscles of your tummy, I like to pretend like my belly button has little arms, and the little arms are reaching backwards towards my lower back.
3. Tighten the muscles of your bottom.
4. Flatten your back so that you are nice and straight.
5. Open your shoulders and press them down. Feels like someone is pulling your shoulders backwards.
6. Hold your arms open and round, like you are carrying a pizza, lifting your elbows and keeping your hands soft.
7. Keep your neck long and lift the chin as if it is resting on a table ledge.
8. Look up and out, like you are trying to peek over something, never down.
9. Breathe in through your nose and relax as you exhale.
10. Check yourself out in the mirror!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
The 5 basic positions of ballet
1. First Position
The heels are together, and the toes are pointing out like bunny ears. The goal is to make a straight line with your feet. DO NOT force this, it takes work and stretching for most people to achieve perfect turnout (see my other posts on feet and turnout http://brennaballetblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/bad-feet.html). To find your natural turnout, stand at the barre or a barre like place with your feet together, both heels and toes touching (this is 6th position used in modern). Rock back on your heels and let your toes fall to the sides. Drop your toes and balls of the feet to the ground where the land, is your natural turn out.
2. Second Position
Similar to first position, except there is space between the heels. Usually about the size of one foot, or your shoulder width apart.
3. Third Position
One foot is in front of the other, toes stil pointing out, but your front foot's heel touches the middle of your back foot. I like to remember to line it up with my arch or the elastic on my shoe.
4. Fourth Position
Similar to third position, except there is space between the feet. There are two versions of Fourth Position, one is open where the heels line up and there is a foot of space between the feet. The other Fourth is more common which is when your front heel is lined up with your back toes.
5. Fifth Position
Both feet are touching in 5th, this is the most difficult position of the 5. The front heel is touching the back toes. Perfect turnout would have the front toes also touching the back heel.
The heels are together, and the toes are pointing out like bunny ears. The goal is to make a straight line with your feet. DO NOT force this, it takes work and stretching for most people to achieve perfect turnout (see my other posts on feet and turnout http://brennaballetblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/bad-feet.html). To find your natural turnout, stand at the barre or a barre like place with your feet together, both heels and toes touching (this is 6th position used in modern). Rock back on your heels and let your toes fall to the sides. Drop your toes and balls of the feet to the ground where the land, is your natural turn out.
2. Second Position
Similar to first position, except there is space between the heels. Usually about the size of one foot, or your shoulder width apart.
3. Third Position
One foot is in front of the other, toes stil pointing out, but your front foot's heel touches the middle of your back foot. I like to remember to line it up with my arch or the elastic on my shoe.
4. Fourth Position
Similar to third position, except there is space between the feet. There are two versions of Fourth Position, one is open where the heels line up and there is a foot of space between the feet. The other Fourth is more common which is when your front heel is lined up with your back toes.
5. Fifth Position
Both feet are touching in 5th, this is the most difficult position of the 5. The front heel is touching the back toes. Perfect turnout would have the front toes also touching the back heel.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What to Wear to Ballet Class
Here are the top 10 things to consider when dressing for ballet class:
10. Simple black leotard and ballet pink tights = perfection!
9. Consider how to cover up to get to and from ballet class, something that is easy to take on and off, like a simple cotton dress that can go over your head for the summer, and sweats and a jacket for winter.
8. Never wear your ballet slippers outside! Boots (rain boots and furry winter boots) for the winter are perfect and flip flops for the summer so your sweaty feet air out on the way home!
7. No need for underwear! Proper ballet tights are lined so that you do not need to wear underwear! Just make sure you wash them after each use.
6. Your Hair is more important than you'd think... putting it in a nice bun (how to make a perfect ballet bun post is coming soon!) helps you turn, but it also keeps your hair from being a distraction.
5. Tights can be tricky... if they are too small they are possibly the worst and most uncomfortable things in the world, yes parents they are stretchy, but believe me, NEVER make your child wear tights that are too small. If there is ever a question try having them do a big plie or the butterfly stretch and you will visibly see the tights move with them or against their bodies and stick out in the groin area.
4. For summer buy convertible tights so that they can allow more circulation by their feet (they tend to sweat the most).
3. For winter buy leg warmers (these usually last a long time) and a nice ballet sweater that they can wear in class. Regular jackets don't work.
2.Make sure your clothes are tight enough so that your ballet teacher can see your body alignment.
1. Be Comfortable and Keep it SIMPLE!
10. Simple black leotard and ballet pink tights = perfection!
9. Consider how to cover up to get to and from ballet class, something that is easy to take on and off, like a simple cotton dress that can go over your head for the summer, and sweats and a jacket for winter.
8. Never wear your ballet slippers outside! Boots (rain boots and furry winter boots) for the winter are perfect and flip flops for the summer so your sweaty feet air out on the way home!
7. No need for underwear! Proper ballet tights are lined so that you do not need to wear underwear! Just make sure you wash them after each use.
6. Your Hair is more important than you'd think... putting it in a nice bun (how to make a perfect ballet bun post is coming soon!) helps you turn, but it also keeps your hair from being a distraction.
5. Tights can be tricky... if they are too small they are possibly the worst and most uncomfortable things in the world, yes parents they are stretchy, but believe me, NEVER make your child wear tights that are too small. If there is ever a question try having them do a big plie or the butterfly stretch and you will visibly see the tights move with them or against their bodies and stick out in the groin area.
4. For summer buy convertible tights so that they can allow more circulation by their feet (they tend to sweat the most).
3. For winter buy leg warmers (these usually last a long time) and a nice ballet sweater that they can wear in class. Regular jackets don't work.
2.Make sure your clothes are tight enough so that your ballet teacher can see your body alignment.
1. Be Comfortable and Keep it SIMPLE!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
