Saturday Stonehenge
In the ever expanding universe of props in a dance class, I
offer yet another one. This involves
three square, hard plastic CD cases, (or three small boxes).
To explain how the body weight shifts when a dancer moves
from two feet to one foot, place two boxes on edge, about three inches apart. Place the third box so it spans the top –
like Stonehenge. This represents the
body as it is when a dancer stands with their weight centered on two feet: one box
for each leg with the box across the top representing the pelvis and the torso.
Now move one “leg” box out.
Crash! The whole structure falls
apart. Now rebuild it with the “torso”
box centered over one “leg”. Now the
structure is balanced and will stand.
Little explanation is needed here – students readily grasp the idea that
the torso must make a lateral shift to balance over the supporting leg.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #20d:
“Use CD cases or small boxes to illustrate how
the body weight moves to achieve a secure balance on one leg.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“The secret of change is to focus all of
your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
-
Socrates
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Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
