Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Wonderful Wednesday Demi




Wonderful Wednesday Demi

As Ballet Secret #4 states: The second most important step (after pliĆ©) in ballet is tendu. This is because a tendu is “hidden” in so many (dare I say millions?) of other steps. It is one of the two ways the foot is allowed to leave the floor (the other one is through cou de pied); and it provides power and cushioning especially in jumping movements.

So how do we create such a powerful little step? By remember to do each tendu consciously – that is, think about them instead of just “going through the motions”. And, remember that each tendu passes through the demi-pointe position on the way out and on the way in. It is all too easy to miss this important moment unless you are thinking about it.

This “slurping” (see Ballet Secret #4d) along the floor helps develop the muscular strength in the foot, as well as creating the smooth pattern of movement needed when the tendu “hides” in other steps  - like a grand battement, for example.

Using the demi-pointe position develops both the power and the cushioning capacity of each tendu.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #15p:  
“A tendu must move through a demi-pointe position on the way out and on the way in.”

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“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?”
Rumi

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