Sometimes we forget about those basic steps....you know, those ones that we start all our other steps from? It is important to think about making each one of those perfect and special in it's own way, be it at home, on stage or just practising in the studio! Keep these tips in mind the next time you dance....
In General:
- Whenever you have only one foot on the floor, you have a working leg (the one off the floor) and a supporting leg. You should concentrate on keeping the supporting leg pulled up (don't forget to pull up the knee too) and the foot must not roll forward. If you don't do these things, you will have a hard time balancing when you move your working leg!
Plies:
- Plies should always be smooth and slow, but without any pauses at any point, so try and listen to the music so you aren't just standing there during counts.
- If you can't go down as far as your neighbour in 2nd position, don't worry, just take it slower making what you can do use all the music!
- Be sure to keep your back straight and strong throughout. Pretend that even as you go down, strings are trying to pull you up.
- Be aware of your shoulders. Make sure they don't cave in and keep them level with your hips.
- While in 4th and 5th positions: make sure to open both knees equally, not letting your back knee fall forward, especially during grande plie. Also be careful not to lean towards the front or back leg, keep your weight in the middle.
- Never go so far down in a grande plie that you are sitting on your heels!
- When you are coming out of a grande plie, push your heels down as soon as you start to come up.
Releves:
- Always keep your body pulled up as much as possible, making sure you keep your shoulders pressed down. Your chest should be slightly forward
- You should be in the center of your feet and balancing lightly on the first three toes in releve
- Your knees should be absolutely straight and pulled up on releve. If you are coming down without a plie, maintain this pulling up of the knees as you come down.
- Never roll your feet in or out. It weakens the ankles and arches of the feet and you could seriously injure yourself.
- Regardless of how you come down from releve, you should always imagine that you are raising up as you come down. I know it sounds contradicting but it helps you keep your line and stops you from collapsing as you come down.
Arabesques:
- In 3rd Arabesque, the arm furthest away from your audience is the one that is slightly higher. (Recall that in 3rd arabesque, both arms are in front of the body)
- Your fingertips and hands are generally held at chin length, unless specified otherwise by your teacher.
- Your elbows should be soft, not sharp
- Keep your chin up! Your eyes should be focused over the fingertips of the arm that is in front of you.
- Really concentrate on straightening your leg at the knee to keep a nice line.
- Your lower back will arch when doing a high arabesque, but you should try to keep your upper back up and straight at all times!
- A small tip that is good to use while doing arabesques is to pretend you are in a small room and if you just reach a little further with your fingers and toes, you will be able to touch a wall with each one. This will really help you to stretch out to your full potential and will give you a lovely line!