| New school books have their own smell and feel. | | | | forward on the floor in a demi plie, before doing a |
| New or old ballet shoes and pointe shoes have a | | | | releve onto pointe into a pirouette. That is |
| smell, leather and satin, as does an old dance bag. | | | | something that should have been fixed years |
| Your favorite cologne, your leotards and tights | | | | before doing pirouettes in pointe shoes. The depth |
| with fresh fabric softener smell...legwarmers, .....all | | | | of the demi plie is not being used for a strong |
| this brings back the memories from last session, | | | | push up from the heels. Also the heels are sliding |
| the last exam, the last performance. | | | | forward, which can pull at the knee joints. That |
| And now you are starting all over again. | | | | kind of technical inaccuracy is worrying to look at. |
| Take a deep breath and let yourself become | | | | If you are not in a professional school, and want |
| aware of the goals you have for this session. | | | | to learn more about technique, rent DVDs and |
| Thinking in terms of two categories, your | | | | watch different teachers' presentations. A lot of it |
| physique, which has things you want to improve, | | | | is excellent for ballet positions and musicality also. |
| and your technique. | | | | The professional manuals that discuss anatomy, |
| Physique improvements are gradual and ongoing. | | | | mechanics, in relation to ballet, can solve any |
| Flexibility and strength are lifelong goals. | | | | unexplained questions as to which style of ballet is |
| Technical points also are related to physique, but | | | | more technically correct. The correct way is the |
| not all of them. The finer details of technical | | | | one that does not compromise human anatomy |
| accuracy take reflexes and understanding. | | | | to the degree that joints get damaged. |
| Knowing the mechanics, the correct anatomy of | | | | Fifth position is anatomically challenging even for |
| technical moves and ballet positions takes the | | | | the superbly turned out. However, if it is gradually |
| mystique out of them. You can understand | | | | reached throughout years of training, and not |
| whether you need to work on your actual | | | | demanded from day one, knee injuries can be |
| physical limitations (like tight joints) or whether | | | | avoided. |
| you just need correct repetition. | | | | Understanding your physique, what can and |
| Correct is the key word. Many ballet DVDs show | | | | cannot be changed, is half your work. There is |
| a student at the barre doing excellent work, for | | | | much good information available now that makes |
| example. And yet I see some finer points that | | | | it easier. |
| the teacher is not correcting, which would lead to | | | | So enjoy your nervous anticipation as you go |
| injury. | | | | back to school for ballet and other dancing. You |
| An example, watching a student's heels slide | | | | have a new year to look forward to. |