Guest Tu-Tu Twain Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 I had a problem at ballet today and am not quite sure how to fix it. When I do an arabesque my knee (in the air) appears to bend slightly. I actually feel like it is straight but it does not appear straight because the shape of my leg. It shows the curve of my leg and it is driving my teacher crazy which is driving me crazy! Is there anyone who can help quick! I need to fix it NOW! THanks! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted July 13, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Tu Tu, do you have a problem with straightening your knees in any other positions? For instance, if you do a tendu back, is your knee straight, and does it LOOK straight? If so, then it will straighten in arabesque. If you have the kind of knees that do not straighten all the way, then you have a lot of work to. You have to learn to straighten them. This takes a lot of work by you, the teacher, and some help from a good therapist or Pilates instructor! On the other hand, if you have hyperextended knees, it is highly likely that they overstaighted, however, in arabesque it is hard to FEEL them really straight, and you must have to learn to be sure and feel the energy go all the way through the leg and out through the toes. Make sure the quad muscles are engaged fully. Quote Link to comment
Guest Tu-Tu Twain Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Thank you Ms. Leigh. My mom (who is no ballet expert) says it appears straight but If I turn it out a little more with the knee toward the front (on the straight leg) it does not show the curve but when I do that my hips are not square! My teacher said I am hyperextended. Any ideas? Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted July 13, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Tu Tu, if the quad muscles are totally stretched, the knee should be straight. If you can straighten your leg, then you can straighten it in an arabesque. It's just a matter of doing it. There is no trick to it, and no tips. Who is in charge of what YOUR leg is doing anyway? P.S. - You can't keep your hips square in an arabesque anyway. No one can. Maybe in a tendu, and a very low dégagé, but once you start to lift the leg above about 30º, the hip will open. The main thing is to keep the shoulders square, move forward and upward against the leg moving backward and upward, and don't LIFT the hip, just let it open enough to rotate the leg. Quote Link to comment
Guest piroella Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Thank you for the help. It appears to work when I think about it. My teacher said when I think about it I do fine but it is when I go into autopilot, I guess I lose focus. They said I do not use the mirror enough to correct myself. I am working on it. By the way, Ms. Leigh I got to class early today to get some help and told my teacher that I had asked you for help and she said "Oh, I know Vickey from Florida! We danced together." Her name is Ms. Adriana Keathly (spelling?) and I just love her! I will try to correct this problem now. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Guest Tu-Tu Twain Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Sorry for the confusion! I am at my friend's house and logged in on her computer! It is me. I realized you may not know who the post was from. I did not know she was a member also. I am used to my computer being logged in to my screen name. Then I was confused when it didn't ask for my password. I'm such a dope! Sorry! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted July 13, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Tu Tu Twain, was that you writing as piroella then? If so, please say hello and give my best wishes to your teacher! I certainly do know her! We danced together in Miami many years ago. I was wondering where she is. Very glad to know she is teaching! Quote Link to comment
Guest Tu-Tu Twain Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Yes it was me! I didn't realize she was a member also! She about died when it came up with her name! (Sorry A.V.!) Oh well, Yes She is in Birmingham, AL and said she would love to talk to you! She is wonderful isn't she?! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted July 13, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 She was a wonderful dancer! I admired her very much I would love to talk to her too. Is she online? Quote Link to comment
Guest Tu-Tu Twain Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 I am sure! I do not know her details though but I can ask tomorrow if you like. Quote Link to comment
Guest Tu-Tu Twain Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 When I said "she" was a member and almost died when posted on her name I meant my friend who is logged in as "piroetta" or whatever she is logged in as NOT Ms. Adriana! It has been a LONG day and I seem to be confusing everyone! So Sorry! I am usually not so scatterbrained! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted July 14, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 No, I knew what you meant! No problem. If Adrianna is online, please give her my email address.....vleigh@washingtonballet.org Thank you! (Just a note: adults can post email addresses here, but students cannot!) Quote Link to comment
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