Guest pavlovadancer Posted September 7, 2002 Report Share Posted September 7, 2002 This is really frustrating. I didn't used to have this problem in grade 2 (or maybe I just didn't realise it), but when I degage derriere it is much harder than degage-ing de vant and a la seconde. A bit more about it: Whenever I degage derriere, my body feels "tighter" around the hip, more of balance and the top of my "outer thigh" muscle tenses up. I feel my spine might be arching. It is a lot easier to degage derriere with the working toe out of line with the supporting heel. I also have no problems with de vant and a la seconde. Could this be because I over turned-out? I do take care to pull up. But for a movement so small as a degage, surely it is not ncessary to go forward?! I feel really, really frustrated that I my technique is so bad that I can't even do a simple degage/tondu!! Another thing (well, two actually) that has been eating me up is that in "The Foundations of Classical Ballet Technique by RAD" (not to be confused with "Classical Ballet Technique by Gretchen Warren Ward"), it was mentioned (p 9) that weight should be distributed through the forefeet and the front of the heels as it creates a more alert position with the hamstrings and calf muscles strongly activated to hold balance. But isn't that almsot rolling? All my life I was taught that weight should be distributed through the forefeet and the entire heel to prevent rolling. Also, the book mentioned that in attitude, the leg held in a curved position at 90 degrees, whereas at the ballet school I am currently attending, they prefer the English (?) attitude, where the curve is an obtuse angle. They are teaching the RAD syllabus, though. Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted September 7, 2002 Administrators Report Share Posted September 7, 2002 Not sure, Pavlovadancer, but it sounds like you are overrotating and holding your weight too far back when you tendu or dégagé back. Lift up on your standing leg and be sure your weight goes forward into that leg. Try to feel the back lengthen away from the leg and not arch back towards the working leg. As to the weight distribution, the standing leg should have the weight in the whole foot but MORE of it should be in the front of the foot over the metatarsals. The heel is on the floor but does not bear as much weight as the ball of the foot. The attitude is a question of school. The RAD school may want it placed differently than in your previous training. This is not a question of right or wrong, just different. Ultimately you will need to be able to place it wherever the choreographer wants it! Link to comment
Guest pavlovadancer Posted September 7, 2002 Report Share Posted September 7, 2002 All right. Thanks. I think its helping. (I'm trying now) Link to comment
Recommended Posts