Fun Friday Fingers and Trap Doors

Fun Friday Fingers and Trap Doors

One problem that dance teachers see frequently is a limp, or energy-less hand or hands.  The energy seems to die out around the wrist, leaving the fingers drooping.

I’ve talked many times about the energy needed in the fingers:   that this energy extends beyond the extremities and out into space.  Here is one image that works for many of my students:  imagine a small trap door at the end of each finger.  This trap door is hinged on the top, which allows it to open if enough energy pushes it.  Therefore, send enough energy through the fingers to push the trap doors open – and keep them open.

Sometimes I tell students to imagine this energy as a flow of water through a hose, and turn the water on high enough to press the trap doors open and let the water flow outward into space. 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #6j:  

“Imagine trap doors on the end of each finger, and send enough energy through the fingers to push the trap doors open.”

 

                Link of the Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIoGE0ah-Rg

 

Quote of the Day:

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

-Mother Teresa

 

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