releves

[Guest princess711]

Hi,

 

I have not posted in a while because I was out of the country. However , I have a few questions to ask. How are the butterfly and frog stretches done, what are releves and how are they done and do you have any exercises that can help me increase my turnout ?

 

Sarah

[Mel Johnson]

What are relevés? Oh my! Oh my oh my oh my....

 

To relevé, rise on to the ball of the foot or feet to stand on demi-pointe. That is, lift the heel from the floor with your weight on the standing foot or feet and stand on what most people call "tip-toe".

 

In the "butterfly" stretch, sit on the floor with the legs pulled up in front of you, and let them fall to the side and just sort of hang there, letting gravity do the work of stretching the hip muscles into allowing more rotation from the hip. Keep the feet together, and make sure that you are not forcing the points of the toes in a sickled-in direction. That is, keep a straight line on an axis between the knee and the point of the big toe.

 

I'd wait a bit before getting into the "frog", which is done by lying on the stomach, putting the feet together, and just lying there, with the legs drawn up. I somehow don't think you're ready for that one, if you don't know what a relevé is.

[Guest princess711]

hi,

 

I'm sorry if I disappointed you , it's just that I'm not familiar with thr french terms.

[Victoria Leigh]

Anastasia, our disappointment is not with you, but with the fact that there are students taking what they think is ballet but not being taught. If you are at least 13, which you have to be in order to be here, and have been taking ballet for a while and don't know what a relevé is, then it's time to look for another school.

[Guest Angel2Be]

I hope this question will not be as dissapointing (I have studied at a poor school myself) :

What exactly is the difference between relevé and elevé or are they the same thing?

[Mel Johnson]

No, that one we encounter all the time, even among some pretty experienced dancers. An elevé is a simple rise onto pointe or demi-pointe, no demi-plie involved. A relevé moves, whether quickly or slowly, from a demi-plié up to pointe or demi-pointe. The term works best in those schools where you see dancers roll up to pointe, but it can be done with a pop-up, too. It'll depend on how strong your feet are.

[Guest princess711]

Hi,

 

I'm starting at a new school tomorrow Is there anything I need to know before hand?

[Mel Johnson]

Not really a lot; just keep your ears open, and if they hear French words for what's being done, you've made a step in the right direction!

[Victoria Leigh]

Anastasia, I don't think that either of us (Mr. Johnson or myself) realized that you have had no training at all! I just went back and looked at your first posts, and found that you are brand new to ballet at 13, so, it is not so unusual that you are not familiar with all these things! It's possible that you have not even done a relevé yet!

 

In any case, I do hope that you have found a really good school, and will begin to learn ballet correctly, from the beginning. Let us know what it is like. There is nothing you need to know except to look at the school and the more advanced dancers and try to determine if this is a professional level school, as opposed to one that is "commercial", or interested only in recitals and competitions. If they are serious about ballet, I think you will be able to know that by their program, especially in their upper division. They should have advanced dancers who have daily classes of technique and pointe, and they should not have young children on pointe too early. Classes should have discipline and respect for the teachers, and the atmosphere should be one of working and learning, not playing.

 

Good luck, and do report in and let us know, okay?

[Guest princess711]

Hi ,

 

I had a great class. I am taking 6 classes a week 2 are pilates though.I don't have a good turn out though . What can I do to make this better?

 

:confused:

[Victoria Leigh]

Ballet classes are designed to work and improve turnout and rotation. Use what you learn in classes and work on things that you totally understand and know how to do correctly. As a new student you should only work on things which have been taught to you in terms of stretches. You are not yet ready for anything and everything that might be talked about. The most important ballet exercise for rotation is rond de jambe à terre. Do this slowly, carefully, correctly placed, working one leg against the other, and your rotation will improve. Pilates can also help. Ask the teacher which exercises are for rotation.

[Guest princess711]

Thank- You very much for all the advice and encouragement:)

[Mel Johnson]

And don't be discouraged if things don't snap into place immediately, or if you experience some initial soreness. You're embarking on a brand new physical activity, and some, mind you, some slight pains may accompany it. There will be things that you can do right away, however, and these will be at least rewards in themselves to encourage you to continue. If you keep at it, you'll find that gradually you will be able to do more and more, and the experience grows more and more rewarding. It's a slow process, but it's worth it!

[Guest princess711]

Hi,

 

I have really sore feet after classes, what can I do to reduce the soreness. Also my back and arms hurt after classes. What should I do about this?:confused:

[Mel Johnson]

Not much - a hot bath will do you nicely. It's not unusual to have a slight soreness in muscles immediately after exertion. Only if the pain is persistent and/or severe do you have to do anything more than a simple resting of the affected parts. Usually, a bath and a night's sleep fixes most people right up. Now if the soreness in the feet is on the surface, rather than deep down, that may have more to do with the fit of your shoes as anything else. Try some medicated foot powder and go shopping for new shoes if this is your problem. The powder will at least take some of the burn out.