Wild Wednesday Push Down Pull Up

Push Down Pull Up

Another way to think about sending energy down through the floor is this:  feel as though you are pushing down into the floor.  Hopefully, the results are the same, and this pushing down sensation should always be matched with an equal and opposite lift or pull upward, as well as sending energy in all directions.

A problem that can happen with a “push” image is when the dancer fails to match it with the upward and opposite pull.  In this case, the push causes the student to squash the posture (see post on squashing), thus negating the benefit of the image. 

It depends on the dancer.  Some dancers respond better to the image of pushing down into the floor, and others “get” the energy down image.  It’s always helpful to have as many images as possible in the teacher’s toolbox. 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #1o:  

“Good posture involves pressing down into the floor and pulling up away from the floor – at the same time.”

 

                Link of the Day:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=slow+motion+ballet&FORM=VIRE1&adlt=strict#view=detail&mid=D0265C48295F8C4A82D0D0265C48295F8C4A82D0

 

Quote of the Day:

“You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.”

-          Ralph Marston