Saturday Statute and One Eighth

Saturday Statute and One Eighth

It is time once again for yet another Ballet Statute. Today’s statute involves the One-Eighth Rule. This rule applies to just about everything in ballet technique.

Everything a dancer does can always be improved; we hear that from the day of our first class. But how do we do this? One way is the One-Eighth Rule. This rule is particularly easy to see in stretches. If a dancer stretches just an eighth of an inch more each day, in just over a week the leg is (in theory) an inch higher. It may take longer than a week in reality, but the fact (and the statute) is absolute: a small bit of progress every day pays off. An eighth of an inch daily will guarantee a higher extension.

The rule works in everything else, too. Hold that extension an eighth of a second longer, stretch that tendu an eighth on an inch more, rotate the legs an eighth of an inch more…. etc.

You get the idea. Try it during your next class.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Ballet Statute #27:  

“The One-Eighth Rule applies to everything.”

                Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR5YPyNDDjQ

Quote of the Day:

““To reach a port we must set sail –
Sail, not tie at anchor
Sail, not drift.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

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