Anyway, the swans attended their first class together last Saturday (we each had attended one solo class). And man, were we out of shape! I mean, I know it's much easier to lose ground in dance or exercise than it is to gain it, but this felt like our first class all over again. During barre, we did relevés on one foot. By the end of the combination, neither of us could get more than half way up over our toes. And our grand battements were anything but. And don't get me started on the chainé turns. No really, don't!
But, we had fun (as usual). Taking a moment in between each exercise to laugh at ourselves and regain at least a tiny bit of composure before beginning the next masochistic combination. And we'll be back twice a week for more punishment.
~White Swan
Relevés on one foot are a killer! I'm working on strengthening my feet and I can only go up a few times before my feet start cheating and my demi-pointe gets lower and lower.
ReplyDeleteGlad you´re back!
ReplyDeleteYou know what helps with those relevés (other than tons of repetition)? Think about lifting out of your hip, that is the relevé action is not confined to your calf muscle. The more you use your entire body (strong core, plum line, long back and such), the easier it will get.
Also take care to face that heel forward. In the beginning this is even more important than achieving full turnout on the working leg.
Another tip: The weight is slightly forward, under your first and second toe. Go as high as you can and remember to stretch your knees!
Looking forward to more posts from you :)
Thank you, Johanna! I tried lifting out of the hip at my desk today, hopefully when no one was watching, and then in class this evening and it totally helps! White Swan was less changed by the advice so I told her it was inside her, to follow her heart and be her own rainbow but that didn't seem to help either.
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