Ballet is the root, the foundation of all movement. It fosters strong technique in all dance mediums by increasing flexibility, balance and core strength. It improves your lines, turns and jumps. It teaches you how to correctly transition from one movement to another, prevents injury, and helps a dancer to find grace through strength. Ballet is fun! Wait, ballet is fun? Taking ballet class can sometimes seem like a necessary evil, a means to an end or a repetitive mix of the same pliés and tendus that can put you into a lull of sleepy monotony. No more! Here are 5 ways to make every ballet class a joy.
1. Make every exercise a performance. Even at barre, think of someone you'd like to be dancing for and do it! Picture them watching your every move. Use your eyes, your head, your power and your heart to give them the show of a lifetime.
2. Challenge yourself. Think about the corrections you received in your previous class. Choose one to focus on the entire class long. You'll be amazed how one correction can fix so many things from adagio to allegro and everything in between.
3. Be inspired by your peers. Don't be jealous. Look around. Who grabs your attention, makes you want to watch them dance? Think about what it could be that makes you want to watch that person dance. Is it their passion, expression, lines, energy, confidence, mystery? Then, use that inspiration to find your own spark and work to become the dancer in class that no one else can take their eyes off of!
4. Cheer each other on! Clap when other groups complete a combination. Congratulate other dancers when they perform well or make a new breakthrough. It feels good to be nice. It raises everyone's spirits and the whole room can float on the accomplishment of just one when celebrated.
5. Go somewhere else. In your mind, that is. No, that doesn't mean to ignore your teacher! Pretend you are dancing each combination in some exotic location. What would that piqué arabesque feel like on the Moon? Pretend you are under the sea and imagine little bubbles floating off of your fingers with each port de bras. You can go anywhere, it's your mind.
Ballet is fun! Try these 5 easy ways to make taking class a blast and you'll love it forever. Now get to class. Ballet rules!
By Amber Keeley; Ballet Instructor, Dancer, Choreographer
Copyright ©2011 Amber Keeley
Amber Rosah Keeley has been a ballet teacher and an award winning choreographer in the Twin Cities metro area since 1993. She is currently the School Director at Out on a Limb Dance Company & School http://outonalimbdance.org/, a St. Paul non-profit arts organization, and the ballet coach for the national champion University of St. Thomas Tommies dance team.
Amber is available for master classes, interviews, private lessons, workshops and judging positions at amber@outonalimbdance.org.
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