Improve Ballet Technique

There are specific classical ballet moves that will determine whether or not a dance student, of ballet, or contemporary dance classes, is eventually able to "dance" all the connecting steps in choreography. Coming down from a jump or pirouette, executing effortless preparations, pas de bouree (a linking step that can move in any direction, even en tournant, or turning), are all ballet moves that can define the degree of professionalism in your dancing.

The degree of finesse needed is related to fully developed sole of foot muscles, as well as correct basic classical technique.

Original full article published at Ezinearticles #3965736.

Get the dancer's guide you need to learn or refine your professional footwork so YOU can improve ballet technique.

I've had many questions this week about higher leg extensions - so I decided to list some articles discussing the topic:

Get A Higher Developpe

Still Trying To Lift Your Leg From Underneath?

Strength For Long and Lean Ballet Muscles

The Ultimate Ballet Line - Arabesque

You'll understand that the quads do lift the legs to the front and side, and the hamstring lifts the leg to the back (a gross simplification). And you'll understand how to strengthen the psoas muscle to lift the legs above ninety degrees, and gradually you'll stop straining the quads.

Correct and elegant ballet arm positions depend on correct spinal posture, correct hold on the turnout, and correct placement of feet on the floor (and knee positions, if you are hyper-extended). It sounds complex, but ballet body posture is natural and allows for relaxed movements of the neck, head and arms. Following are a few tips to improve in your professional ballet shoes.

When you, especially if you are an adult beginner, learn ballet, there is a lot of information to absorb about basic positions.

The basics of ballet exercises begin with posture, turnout, and flexibility. Having enough flexibility to stand with a neutral spine is an advantage.

Standing sideways to a mirror, lift your chest a little, breathe easily, and notice how you stand. Look to see if your shoulders are relaxed to the side of your torso, as opposed to resting forwards.

If your shoulders do rest a little forward, here is a very easy stretch. Commonly called the doorway stretch - stand in a doorway. See if you can raise your arms so your elbows are shoulder level, and your forearms are raised upwards at a 90 degree angle to your upper arms. With your palms facing forwards, can you press your forearms into the door jamb on either side? If not, you will stretch one side at a time.

Pressing your forearm into the door jamb, lean forward until you feel a stretch across your chest. Just stretch gently, holding for 10 seconds, and releasing. You can do this several times a day - whenever you walk through a doorway! Gradually you will see that your shoulders will relax more towards the side, in line with the plane your ears occupy.

Next check the posture of your pelvis. If you have equal flexibility in your quads, or front thigh muscles, and hamstrings, on the back of your thighs, and also your postural abdominal muscles, your pelvis should rest in a "neutral" position. This means it is not pulled into a tilt in either direction due to tight muscles. Therefore your back does not sway, increasing the curve at the back of your waist, nor does the pelvis tilt back, pulling the natural curve into a straight line.

If your hard work in ballet classes builds strength from correct posture, chances are that you will have elegant ballet arm positions that will improve your technique.

Ballet is an art form that increases the magical and imaginative dimension of life. Understanding how to learn ballet brings you real physical results. It's your journey, it's your dance. Enjoy!

I just found this page of exercises on a post by Ken Woodman at dance.net.

This is the thread where Ken discusses why these exercises are best.

I was glad to find this because I cringe when I see kids ask each other how to increase strength for pointe work and many seem to think "do a hundred releves a day" is more or less the solution.

I have to admit I have not taken up this issue thoroughly till now, and I will continue to add info when I find anything different. But, Ken (thank you), explains these well.

If your concern is more for the general technique and foot strength for pointe work, I recommend THE PERFECT POINTE BOOK.

BALLET POINTE SHOES - The Perfect Pointe Book tells you EVERYTHING you need to know to improve your basic ballet technique, ballet positions, and to self-assess for the exact exercises you need to prepare with your pre-pointe training. You can independently learn what YOUR feet need, and what YOUR technique needs to get you dancing ballet in ballet toe shoes! Become your own expert.

This 'how to' article on improving ballet positions will give you tips on how to improve your positions for split leaps, or grand jete.

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