2 3 Saturday Balançoire | Ballet Webb

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Saturday Balançoire

Saturday Balançoire

Balançoire is a term applied to a grand battement when it sweeps front and back passing through first position on the way.  The word means “like a seesaw” and that is more or less how it should be done.  The grand battement should be equal in thrust and height in both devant and derrière.  In other words, one should never be higher or “grander” than the other!

To achieve this, imagine a pendulum.  I know, I know, balançoire means seesaw – but for now try thinking pendulum.  The downward action of the first battement, assisted by gravity, makes the next battement easier.  That is, you need to apply less effort (force) since you have accumulated force on the way down to assist the “up” portion of the following grand battement. Observe any clock or item with a pendulum to solidify this image in your mind.

So let this happen!  Use gravity and the laws of physics to help in everything you do in dance.  It works.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #12c:  
“The word ‘balançoire’ means ‘like a seesaw’”.

                Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“The reason why a seesaw is made for two people is that when you go down, there would always be someone there to lift you up again.”
-          Unknown

                Help expand the knowledge base!
 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!


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