Monday Triangles

Monday Triangles

The human foot is a marvel of engineering.  It is shaped so the widest part is in the front,(where the ball of the foot and the toes are) and narrow at the back (by the heel).  This is how the weight should be distributed:  two-thirds of the weight is over the ball of the foot, one third (or less) over the heel.

For dancers, it shifts even more toward the ball of the foot, and Balanchine is reported to have said that a piece of paper could be slid beneath the heel.  Probably an exaggeration, but the point is well taken.  The worst place to be, for a dancer or anyone, is to have the weight of the body supported over the heels.

So to help maintain this correct placement, imagine the three dots of a triangle:  two dots under the ball of the foot, and one under the heel.  A triangle of support!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #8f:  

“When the whole foot is on the floor, picture a triangle of support.”

                Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkak7Ajk2LE

Quote of the Day:

“The only thing a person can ever really do is keep moving forward. Take that big leap forward without hesitation, without once looking back. Simply forget the past and forge toward the future.”
― Alyson Noel

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Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day!  A day set aside each year to remind us how blessed we are if our mother is still a part of our life.  It is also a time to let our mothers know how much we love and appreciate them.  

I often admonish my students to say thank you to their mothers for all the things they do, and to thank them, in some small way, every day – not just on Mother’s Day.  Of course I get the rolling eyes and sometimes a bit of under-the-breath grumbling, but I hope they might remember to do just a little thanking at home when they get there after all.

What defines a great mother?  The Quote of the Day below says it beautifully.

From the Big Blue Book of Life Secrets:

Secret #25:  

“Remember mom every day.”

                Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw4KVoEVcr0

Quote of the Day:

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”

-Tenneva Jordan

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Saturday Sandwiches

Saturday Sandwiches

Ah, those Hamburger Hands:  the ones that look like they are holding a large sandwich – a hamburger or anything else served on a bun, or between two pieces of bread.  Hamburger Hands are most often seen in the fifth en haut position, but can appear in many other places.  

This “syndrome” can be caused by the simple act of holding onto the barre, which is why many studios have changed their round barres to flatter ones.  This forces the dancer to place his/her hand on top of the support, instead of encircling it.

But Hamburger Hands can also be a case of too much tension.  The hands tense up and the flow of energy that should go outward is blocked – usually around the knuckles – causing the knuckles to buckle upward and changing the straighter hand to one that looks, well, like it is holding a burger.

To prevent this, (other than retrofitting the studio), have students place their hands on top of the barre, and also remind them about the energy that must flow uninterruptedly through lengthened hands and outward to infinity from the fingertips.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #6s:  

“Avoid Hamburger Hands by lengthening the hands and fingers so the energy can flow outward from the fingertips.”

                Link of the Day:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=628372887250311&set=vb.111938618893743&type=2&theater

Quote of the Day:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

-Harriet Tubman

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Fun Friday Tea Time

Fun Friday Tea Time

In a previous blog I talked about the ballet statute that states:  “There is no tipping, tilting or tucking” of the pelvis.  With the exception of derriere positions where the working leg is higher than 25-45 degrees, this statute holds true.

But it is difficult to maintain a stable pelvis when the legs are moving all over the place!  It helps to remember that the legs should operate independently of the torso – they are not allowed to act like they are welded to the pelvis (even Barbie’s legs move independently, despite her total lack of turn out!).

To help dancers keep their pelvis level, imagine it as a giant cup of tea.  The tea is piping hot and the cup is filled to the brim.  If this cup is tipped, tilted or tucked the hot tea will spill!  Ow!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #1y:

“To maintain a level pelvis, imagine it as a giant cup of hot tea.”

                Link of the Day:

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbOqt-c8qtU&safe=active

Quote of the Day:

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

-C.S. Lewis

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Throwback Thursday and Auguste Vestris

Throwback Thursday and Auguste Vestris

Auguste Vestris (1760-1842) is a significant link in a veritable dance dynasty.  He studied with his father Gaetano Vestris, who studied with the famous Dupré.  Auguste’s mother was dancer Marie Allard.

According to one account, (http://michaelminn.net/andros/biographies/vestris_dynasty/), Gaetano was “conceited beyond belief”, which “may have been a family trait”.  Be that as it may, Auguste’s ability as an extremely talented dancer was recognized early, and despite being somewhat knock-kneed, his elevation was extraordinary.   Soon he was considered Europe’s greatest dancer.

But his most important legacy is that of being a teacher.  His pupils included: Didelot, Perrot, and Bournonville to name just a few.  So his knowledge was passed on to many who went on to become great teachers themselves.  So his influence continues today.  

The above portrait of Vestris was recorded as “Portrait of a Young Man” in the 1888 annual report of the National Gallery.  It wasn’t until 1946, when the portrait (and its history) was more closely scrutinized, that its subject was identified as being more than just "a young man".  It was Auguste Vestris, and the work was originally titled “Vestris the Dancer”.

When Vestris was 75 years old he danced a minuet with his student Marie Taglioni.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid #28:  

“Auguste Vestris was a dancer and teacher who trained many great teachers.  Therefore his legacy lives on today.”

                Link of the Day:

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95eQYmbYPE8

Quote of the Day:

“Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful.”

-A.R. Ammons

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