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Does ballet confuse you? I just restarted a few weeks ago, and sometimes I just HAVE to raise my hand and ask the equivalent
to "huh?" So for the beginning ballerina or merely wondering soul, here's a few answers to life's persistant questions,
and several tips as well...
*~*BEFORE CLASS
~WHAT TO WEAR?
*most studios have a dress code. Basically, it's black or navy blue leotard, white or pink tights, and ballet shoes. No
jewelry, at least not necklaces (they could fly up into your face) or large hoops (same reason.) Leg wamers ARE acceptable,
but take them off as soon as your legs are warm. Shrugs and sweaters and fine too, as long as they're tight. Dance pants and
tight pants are okay, thought if they are loose or hide you feet teachers will tell you to take them off. Most teachers will
allow skirts or short shorts, but it all depends on the teacher.
~HOW TO DO MY HAIR?
*most teachers will want your hair to be up, out of your face, and neat. What does that mean? BUN. (there will be a "hair"
page added later for further details)
~HOW DO I PHYSICALLY PREPARE MYSELF?
*eat a snack before class, but a SNACK, not a meal. Time it roughly 15 minutes before so you won't be about to burst.
If timing is impossible for you (it is for me,) then grab something healthy, like a carrot or a banana, before you run out
the door.
Your teacher will tell you if she wants you to warm up before class. If she doesn't mention it, then don't bother.
DO NOT eat a meal before dance class! YOU WILL REGRET IT!!
~HOW DO I MENTALLY PREPARE MYSELF?
*Be ready to work. Don't goof off. If you've been having a bad day, don't let it show in dance class. Always give 110%.
Never, ever, compare yourself to anyone, because you will make yourself your best. Never, ever be afraid to ask intelligent
questions.
*~*THE CLASS
~BEGINNING - at the barre
*Class begins at the barre, a long wooden- well, bar- that runs down one (or more) walls of the classroom. The barre is
there to help the student maintain maximum turnout. THE BARRE IS NOT THERE to be leaned upon or used as a crutch. You should
only rest a few fingers on it, and use it for balance and balance alone. NEVER put your elbow on the barre. Keep a decent
distance away from it. By the way...when you switch sides, always turn towards the barre. Why? When doing barre work, the
barre is considered your partner. It is rude to turn away from your partner. All barre work is not warm-up work, but skills
that will be used later, in the center. So pay attention!
~STRETCHING
*Stretching is as vital a part of class as any other. It can be regarded as a warm-up, but really it comes after the initial
warming up. In most classes you will stretch after your muscles have been worked out a bit, but you can also stretch before
class so you won't pull or harm anything while dancing.
One important thing to remember about stretching - BREATHE, and BREATHE DEEP. Don't tense up, or your muscles won't remember
the stretch. Hold each stretch for about 30 counts, which will help your muscle remember. Only push yourself as far as you
can go. Don't go any farther, or you risk pulling something.
~EXERCISES
*Once again, the most important thing to remember is BREATHING. If you don't breathe, you'll get bulky muscles, and we
dont want those, now do we? If you feel like you're going to throw up or something, SERIOUSLY, rest for a beat, maybe two.
But always do as many as you can. They'll pay off, I promise!
~CENTER
*Center is the main part of your class. That's where you learn new dance steps, relearn old steps, and work on new choreography.
"Center" basically means that you're using the rest of the room, not the barre. Center, quite frankly, is the bane
of my exsistance. I hate it with a passion. I also love dancing with a passion, however, so I have no choice.
Let's see - to remember in center - use the mirror. Double-check your posture, see if you look great or just plain stupid,
if you're in sync with the rest of the class. However, don't keep your eyes GLUED on the mirror. Use it only as needed, or
else you'll get yelled at. Small doses only.
Corps is, without a doubt, the hardest part of ballet. Soloists, true, have more talent, but staying in sync and lookin'
great while blending into the background is by no means easy. Try not to be off the beat, and add your own little flair to
your dances, but don't sweat it if you're not perfect. No one is.
I can't stress it enough - don't be afraid to ask questions. Have no clue what a step is? Don't speak French? So ASK.
Here are the basic steps any dancer will tell you to know. The rest is all just details, and I don't know it all yet.
For more, more, and much much more, go to www.abt.org, and check out their ballet dictionary (it's under library)
~Plie. A bend at the knees.
~Tondue. The leg extended, still touching the floor, toes pointed.
~Chasse.A step in which one foot literally chases the other out of its position; done in a series
~Arabesque. A position in which the body is balanced on one leg with the other extended behind and at right angles to
it.
~REVERENCE
*Class is over. Okay, so can we all just LEAVE already? YOU WANT WATER!!! But, no. There is one more thing. It's called
the reverence. Each teacher has there own form of the reverence. Usually, the girls and teacher exchange curtseys and thank-yous.
Why? You thank the teacher for the class, and she thanks you for your patience and cooperation. A gesture of mutual respect
by all.
*~*AFTER CLASS
*Let me guess...you're pooped. Grab water, it helps, and don't pig out on the junk food just yet. Stick with the healthy
stuff, like fruits and maybe some crackers? DON'T DANCE JUST YET. Go home, rest. Take a nice long hot bath, stay in there
for like 20 minutes. It helps. You are going to HURT in the morning! But hey. That's what dancing's all about, huh?
*~*PERFORMANCE TIPS
*Facial expression is key! Smile, eyes up, and KEEP IT GENUINE!
*MAKE IT LOOK EASY. Even if you ache.
*When you screw up, who cares?? Keep dancing! Ad-lib if you have too. The audience doesn't know the dance! If you keep
dancing, they'll have no idea that something went wrong.
*~*~*~*NEVER EVER EVER EVER SAY "I CAN'T"!*~*~*~*
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