2 3 Mad Monday Elbow Lights | Ballet Webb

Monday, September 22, 2014

Mad Monday Elbow Lights

Mad Monday Elbow Lights

When the arms are in à la seconde, the tip of the elbows should face the back wall, and should never face the floor.  But this is a difficult position to learn because often when the dancer rotates the upper arm to direct the elbows correctly, the shoulders lift and round forward, and the elbows lift too high – almost facing the ceiling.  What a dilemma.

The trick is the amount the elbows are allowed to move.  The à la seconde position of the arms is achieved by a lift in the triceps area, and too much lift is the problem.  So imagine a small light located on the “point” or “knob” of the elbow, and have it shine brightly on the wall behind the dancer.  Never allow it to shine on the ceiling, or even high on the back wall.

This light image can work for other areas of the body as well – remember the image of headlights on the hips?

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #6w:  
Imagine a small light located on the point of each elbow.  These two lights face the back when the arms are in à la seconde.

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Quote of the Day:
“In order to represent life on the stage, we must rub elbows with life, live ourselves.”
-          Marie Dressler


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