In case you thought dance was easy. Steps and combos come after technique is learned. There is a lot to think about, learn and put into your brain. Dance is very mental.
(These are what we work on in class)
Turn out from the tops of your legs.
Tummy in, tail bone down
Pinch your seat, turnout your feet
Your foot is a tripod, keep your big toe and your little toe on the floor
75% of your weight should be over the ball of the foot
Hips under the shoulders
Square your hips
Lift the chest, Show your necklace
Close your front (rib cage)
Open your back (shoulder blades)
Ears back
Shoulders down
Chin level
Spot where you are going
The head is the last to leave and the first to arrive
Stretch your whole leg
Articulate the foot (heel, arch, ball (demi), point)
Feel the floor when you Tendu
Lift the arch and don’t roll in
Use the muscles on the top of your foot when pointing, do not curl your toes
Press your heel forward, use the muscles on the inside of your foot
Lengthen the big toe
Pull up with the inner thigh
Gluts pulled up, pinch your seat
Straighten your knees
Make long arms
Page 2
Lengthen your fingers
The eyes follow the hands (do not look at them)
Use resistance
Elbows front and shoulders back
Arm pits over the front of the waist
Open your arm pits
Twist your wrist and lift the elbows
All jumps begin and end in plié
Jump with your thighs not your arms
Use your Plié, use your plié, use your plié
Use your imagination
Be expressive
Feel the music
All of the above is just “posture”. There is more to learn as to the actual steps, movements, and combinations. What arm placements to use, when to tilt or turn the head, where to travel to, directions of the stage, feelings of expression etc, etc.
With enough training and constant practice, all of this becomes natural, and dance can be done full out. It takes devotion!
(These are what we work on in class)
Turn out from the tops of your legs.
Tummy in, tail bone down
Pinch your seat, turnout your feet
Your foot is a tripod, keep your big toe and your little toe on the floor
75% of your weight should be over the ball of the foot
Hips under the shoulders
Square your hips
Lift the chest, Show your necklace
Close your front (rib cage)
Open your back (shoulder blades)
Ears back
Shoulders down
Chin level
Spot where you are going
The head is the last to leave and the first to arrive
Stretch your whole leg
Articulate the foot (heel, arch, ball (demi), point)
Feel the floor when you Tendu
Lift the arch and don’t roll in
Use the muscles on the top of your foot when pointing, do not curl your toes
Press your heel forward, use the muscles on the inside of your foot
Lengthen the big toe
Pull up with the inner thigh
Gluts pulled up, pinch your seat
Straighten your knees
Make long arms
Page 2
Lengthen your fingers
The eyes follow the hands (do not look at them)
Use resistance
Elbows front and shoulders back
Arm pits over the front of the waist
Open your arm pits
Twist your wrist and lift the elbows
All jumps begin and end in plié
Jump with your thighs not your arms
Use your Plié, use your plié, use your plié
Use your imagination
Be expressive
Feel the music
All of the above is just “posture”. There is more to learn as to the actual steps, movements, and combinations. What arm placements to use, when to tilt or turn the head, where to travel to, directions of the stage, feelings of expression etc, etc.
With enough training and constant practice, all of this becomes natural, and dance can be done full out. It takes devotion!
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