Marvelous Monday Quiet Water
One of the difficulties dance students encounter when
learning how to move and shape the arms effectively is how to avoid stiffness.
When learning the intricacies of correct arm placement (elbows lifted, fingers
elongated, etc.), it can seem daunting.
What often happens is a rigid, immovable arm position – one that
looks good as long as it doesn’t move. Statue arms. This is particularly true
of the hands and fingers.
To help students learn how to keep a natural breath in the
hands, fingers, and ultimately the arms, have them stand with their arms
outstretched in front of them, palms down, fingers elongated. Tell them to
pretend they are standing in a pool of water with their arms are resting on top
of the quiet water. Even quiet water isn’t completely still, and so their arms,
hands and fingers will move or “breathe” slightly. Then have them move their
arms downward, feeling the resistance of the “water”, then back upward, again
feeling the resistance.
Explain that this is the sensation necessary for beautiful,
clean movements with the arms and hands.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Ballet Secret #6ii:
“ Imagine the arms
resting on top of quiet water.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Let us be grateful to the people who make
us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
― Marcel Proust
― Marcel Proust
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