This exercise is designed to cultivate an understanding of the centre line of gravity to enhance balance, crucial in ballet. This exercise particularly benefits adage and pirouettes in classroom practice. By emphasising correct alignment and weight distribution, students develop core strength and stability, key components for maintaining balance in various ballet positions and movements.
Preparation: Have students stand in the fourth position of feet without the mat, placing a fusion ball between the calf muscles. Ensure legs are rotated and hips and pelvis alignment remain square to the front.
Steps:
1. Have students begin with a breath and port de bras on the introduction.
2. Instruct students to transfer weight over the front of the supporting foot while sliding the fusion ball up the leg in devant. The working foot should remain flexed.
3. Instruct the port de bras into the first position, then have students open and return to bras bas as the working leg slides back into fourth position.
4. Guide students to redistribute the weight evenly between both feet as in the initial position.
5. Have students repeat in devant.
6. Guide students to perform the exercise in derrière, maintaining alignment and weight-placement.
7. Have students change legs and repeat, with the left leg devant and right leg in derrière.
Focus: Stress the importance of students maintaining square hips and pelvis to the front and controlled weight transfer for balance.
Frequently asked questions
How can I assist students struggling with maintaining hip alignment?
What if a student has difficulty balancing while sliding the fusion ball?