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February 12, 2012

Bourrées, Gift-Wrapped

Friday pointe class, towards the end. We are doing our usual reverance preceded by bourrées (couru or suivi, whatever your ballet dictionary / school tells you). First traveling to the side, then en tournant, then in a big circle, then repeating all to the left. It's pretty much the same exercise as in Royal Ballet's glossary video below. Only the music is from Swan Lake, and it's all very lovely. We finish with a deep curtsy, and that's it. Or so I thought. My teacher tells me to wait, goes to her bag and whips out a red thera-band. I'm thinking maybe she wants me to do some ankle exercises or such, which would be odd enough - but instead she tells me to relevé in fifth. Takes the rubber band and wraps it around my legs, above knee height, and finishes with a nice big bow. I look like a left-over from Christmas.



She then tells me to repeat the entire bourrée exercise. It's very funny - I notice everyone chuckling along (out of sympathy I hope) - but it's also damned effective! I had been so eager with my bourrées, that my legs had seperated in the rush. And because I was not able to check myself in the mirror while turning around, I had not noticed the big gap between my thighs. Another reminder why the teacher's eye is so important! We may think our moves are spot on, but thinking is not yet doing. Of course, my teacher could have just told me to keep those thighs together, but having my legs tied really drove the pointe home. Corrections are always a bonus, but this was the first time I got mine gift-wrapped! :)

6 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Nerea, I will tell her what you said! She will love your response ;)

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  2. That is awesome! Teeny tiny bourrees are one of my all time favorite things to watch :)

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    1. They are kind of fun to do. You have to go really fast, and pray that you don't trip over your feet. Or anyone else's, for that matter. :)

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  3. This is something that I struggle with in bourees. Maybe I will go and tie a theraband around my thighs and see what happens. :)

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    Replies
    1. Do it, Hannah - I dare you! :) You could also try a tight knee-length skirt..

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To That Special Ballet Teacher

To that special ballet teacher, who not only teaches you about technique, but helps build your confidence, nurtures your inner artist, ...