Pointes and Perspective #35 You Are What You Eat
You Are What You Eat
When my Ballet students finish each combination, whether it be at barre, adagio, or other combination that finishes center, I instruct them to complete the combination with an additional demi plié, arms allongé to demi seconde and back to bras bas to hold their end pose and épaulement. I coach them to include this ending in every combination, first and foremost, as a matter of proper etiquette. Secondly to prepare for the stage. And additionally, for bodily health and longevity, allowing their muscles to release and stretch, their lungs to take in a thorough breath, and their minds to center and absorb the work that was completed. Each season, I explain these benefits to students who are new to me, and notify them that we will be executing this ending consistently all season. I also encourage them to take this habit with them into their other classes, when they practice alone, and through their career, executing it not for me, but for themselves.
A couple of weeks ago, I was politely walking through the class before mine, to use the powder room that was only accessible by way of the classroom. Several of the dancers in the class had studied with me last season. They were finishing the final counts of their adagio exercise, and I caught a glimpse of my former students, scattered amongst the other dancers, taking the moment to follow the combination with a final plié, practicing what they learned in my class. I was so pleased that we had created a valuable habit, and moreso, that they had taken it with them!
This past week, a fellow faculty member and I did a “Teacher Trade” day, and swapped classes with each other for the evening. One, for a change of pace, and two, so that we could touch base with the students whom we do not teach this season. When I entered the classroom of nine through eleven year old students, who I had not seen in nearly a year, they squealed in excitement, and ran to get the barres out. They were giddily impatient to show me that they remembered all my visualizations, tips, corrections and critiques! I was pleased to no end that they had preserved what I taught them!
My daughter Kate is a dancer who focuses on, practices, and prioritizes absorbing what she is taught. When a teacher, choreographer, or rehearsal assistant is unsure of a step, a direction, a formation, or a pattern, they more often than not, ask Kate. She has become the “go to” dancer when in rehearsals, because they can depend on her for the answers. She has saved and stored all the choreography, spacing, and feedback.
In a professional career it will make you a more marketable dancer, and as a recreational dancer you will be more successful in your studies, if you can accept, cherish, and practice retaining everything you learn.
I teach my students that each teacher you have over your career may use slightly differing terminology, have distinct expectations and etiquette, and pass on a vast range of styles, combinations, and choreography. But your job is to have a "mental cheat sheet" of what each instructor wants. You must “write down”, and remember, that Miss Heather wants her frappé to come from a sur le cou de pied versus a flexed foot position. And that Miss Sharon does not allow dangling earrings in her class. You must note that Mr Ulzii expects you to know your terminology, as he speaks Mongolian, and will utilize the national language of Ballet in French. It is your job to remember what each teacher and choreographer wants, and to unpack it for their class.
Smart dancers know that feedback is a gift, so they show that they are eager to receive it. They try to make the change immediately, or go to the back of the studio and practice on their own. They show that they at least understand the concept, even if they can’t apply it right away.
Sought after dancers develop a broad skill set, adapting to various choreographic demands. They work with assorted dance teachers, exposing them to diverse techniques, styles, and teaching methods, making them more versatile.
Successful dancers know the importance of working with varied personalities. It improves a dancer's ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others. And overcoming the challenges of adapting to different teaching styles can boost a dancer's confidence and resilience.
Recently, I was teaching this very important lesson to a new group of young dancers. I reminded them to accept, keep, and apply everything they learn, from every teacher, every single day. I said, “By all means, don’t take what you have learned in class, and throw it in the trash on your way out the door! Cherish and keep it all!” I pantomimed carefully placing the corrections, teachings, and “gifts” deep in my pocket, patting them to ensure they were protected, to save them forever!
One fascinated student’s wide captivated eyes caught mine. She shook her head in understanding, and then responded with her own pantomime. She reached out to purposefully accept my “gifts” in her hands, poured them into her open mouth, and gestured to her full stomach, rubbing it, as she happily swallowed them up!
Yes! Indeed, You Are What You Eat!
