Beautiful dancers, we can all learn from a Basic Ballet class, even if we are experienced. Sometimes we learned steps incorrectly or incompletely; sometimes we jumped over a level or two when we were younger. Arms and head positions in particular are frequently skipped - many instructors assume you already know what to do or that you will figure it out on your own.
Those of us who have danced for many years have built muscle memory for heads and arms. We automatically move arms when we move legs and tilt the head at the right time without having to think about it too hard. It just happens!
But how does it happen? And if you are new to ballet, can you make it happen automatically?
Of course you can! You just need to spend some time doing it and understand why you're doing it. Remember, when we are young, we absorb what we see like sponges. As adults, our brains question things more and we often need to know the how and why of a movement in order to fully incorporate it into our memory.
Here are a few helpful hints that I have been using in my brand new Basic Ballet class. This class is great for newbies and oldbies as well. There is always something new to learn!
Magnet fingers
WHAT: Ever look at a dancer's hands and wonder how they get that shape? It's not quite "sticking the pinky out when you drink a cup of tea" but it's also not plastic Barbie hands. It's something in between.
HOW: Take your palms and place them together, fingers matching, and then peel your palms apart until just the tips of the fingers are touching.
Imagine that the pads of your fingers are magnets and try to pull them apart. You will end up with your middle fingers about an inch away from each other and curved slightly inward. Your other fingers will be at different angles too.
WHY: This will shape your hands and fingers so they don't look like they are stuck together (like when the Queen of England waves!).
Palm mirrors
WHAT: How do you move the head? When do you move the head? It feels weird!
HOW: Imagine that you have mirrors on your palms. When you open your arms from first to second at the barre, try to look at yourself in your palm mirrors. You will naturally tilt your head in order to do so. Practice this at the barre (yes even when the arms are en haut!) and it will start to feel natural to you so that when you are in the center, it will feel weird to not move your head.
WHY: Tilting the head when you move tells the audience where to look. If you stare at the mirror, this will translate to staring at the audience, which (unless used for dramatic effect) can be awkward. When you coordinate your head with your body movement, the audience will follow.
Portrait elbows
WHAT: Elbows are tricky. Experienced dancers, how many times have you heard the direction to "round your elbows"? You can't round your elbows! Your elbows aren't round - they are angular!
HOW: Instead think of an old-fashioned portrait or a cameo brooch. It's not round but not exactly oval. Take your arms en haut and place your head inside them like you're in the portrait. The arms (and elbows) will naturally curve to form that shape around you.
Now lower them just like that to your first position and then en bas. The portrait shape should remain intact through the whole movement.
WHY: Holding your arms in this shape will keep them active and not simply decorative; engaging your muscles will make it easier to jump, turn and do slow sustained movement.
Hope these tips will make your port de bras smooth and feel more organic. Happy dancing~
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