danceologic.: BALLET

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In this competitive society, ballet is one of the most frequently learn form of dance. I'm sure many of you reading this would have experiences with your parents bringing you for such classes every weekend. I'm not sure whether you enjoyed it or not, but as for me I really did! I've danced since the age of 4, once or sometimes, twice a week.

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A little history of ballet....
Ballet was first performed in Italy, in the 1600. When the first ballet school opened in 1661, ONLY MALES WERE ALLOWED TO DANCE! (see, ballet was for guys at first. who says ballet is girly?) It was only later in 1681 that females were given a chance to perform. Ballet did not start out as just a dance performance, but also poetry and song recitals. One of the few things that remains in ballet would be the steps taught long ago in France and still taught in French. The arms and legs movements were created to aid ballerinas to maintain a good balance while looking graceful! (For a list of step names and translations or just to read more, look up this site !)

Anaheim Ballet on ballet dancers

Misconception #1.

One of the major misconceptions about ballet dancers is that dancing is not hardwork.From the video, you might ask youself "what is so difficult about jumping around the room, doing a few swirls?" well, you're wrong! It IS difficult. Apart from determination and perserverance, it is vital that dancers are phyisically equiped with good stamina and flexibility. "Someone once said that dancers work just as hard as policemen, always alert, always tense, but see policemen don't have to be beautiful at the same time."

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Misconception #2.

Another misconception is that dancers are all anorexic. Well, I have to agree that some bellerinas are more conscious about their weight compared to normal people. But not ALL of them are anorexic. I think it is a matter of mindset and the way we look at ourselves and feel good rather than the dance itself. Ballet leotards do not mask that little weight that we have gained throughout the week but it is important that dancers keep a balanced diet because they need the strength for jumps. In fact, my ballet teacher encourages us to have a bar of chocolate before lessons for that sugar rush!

(For more misconceptions on dancers, feel free to read here)

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A little ballet tips...

For all the dancers who are reading this post, you might want to try out these few tips that I've tried and tested with. I hope it might help you in some ways!

1. When dancing, be it during exams or just class, try to imagine that you're dancing on stage. Always project your vision. This can help you overcome your fears of dancing as a soloist. Before you have to do a routine, close your eyes and imagine yourself on stage, dancing for few thouands of people, hear their applauses for you.

2. When doing balances, always balance on your big toe. Put all your weight on your big toe, whether you are on pointe or not. You'll be amazed at how well you can balance. Of course, always look up and project your vision. This might help a little too!

3. When fitting on new pointe shoes, NEVER bend them till they break. Always break them in by walking around your house on tiptoes and try bending the shoes where your arch is and not just at the centre of your shoes. Also, you might want to use a scissors and make a few scratches on the ball of your pointe shoes. This gives your new shoes some friction and it won't be too slippery when you wher them for the first time.

4. For all those rosin eaters, rosin only helps a bit. It makes the floor less slippery for you. However, how well you turn ultimately depends on how secured you are, where your centre of balance is and how you drill your foot into the ground. My ballet teacher always remind us that too much rosin is bad for your turns. If possible, don't rely on them at all! Remember, dancers from the past never had rosin and they manages well too!

5. No matter how painful you feel while dancing, how difficult your routines are, how much your hate making mistakes, always rememer to mask it and not show it on your face! By doing so, audiences sometimes can look pass those mistakes, and only see the beauty in your dance.

That's all folks! I hope these tips can help you out a little here and there. REMEMBER, its most important that you project far, look ahead, hear those applauses for you.

FUN FACTS!

1. A tutu (some ballet costume) costs up to about $2000 to make.

2. The same tutu takes about 60-90hours of labour and 100yards of ruffle to make.

3. A 3hours ballet performance is roughly equivalent to two 90minutes soccer games back o back or running 18miles!

4. A prima ballerina can complete 32 fouette turns, while staying in the exact same spot on the floor. After the turns, her pointe shoe tip is hot to touch and it is so worn out that it is then used only for rehearsals.

Not enough of these fun facts? Look up here!!!

Reminiscence memories...

This post is spcially dedicated to my fellow Grade 8 batch, WE MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE TOGETHER! Special thanks to my partner, Ahlian, who is always there when i feel like giving up and always there to back me up. Sylvia, who is always making sure that i attend lesons, pushing me on when I'm all used up. Elvina, Liting, Cinyee, Rochelle, Selina, Jonit, Valerie, Clara, Shobha and Annie, i can't thank you all one by one (if not it will be never ending). All the times we had together, the tears, joys and laughters, will always remain close to my heart. Most importantly, to my ballet teacher, Ms McCully, thank you everything through these 13 years. I'm really terrified of you. Not because you are scary but because I look up to you and you are one of the top on my "most respected list". Our distinctions, we owe it to you.