You have great Aplomb

That statement might sound like an insult, but its actually a compliment.  Aplomb means assurance or poise.  Gail Grant states that "This term applied to the dancer means that he or she has full control of body and limbs with the weight correctly centered during a movement".  I think that most people who appreciate dance can think of a dancer that demonstrated great Aplomb and probably a few that didn't.  This isn't a measurable term, but is more of an aesthetic.  As a viewer you either feel that someone does or does not show poise and control over their movement.  This is something that all dancers strive to have, and that takes a very long time to master.

Body Alignment

Gail Grant states "The direction in which the dancer stands in relation to the audience is very important.  If all the steps and poses were taken en face (facing the audience), the dance would be very monotonous."  She is completely right.  Facing different directions adds interesting angles in which to view the dancers.

This is not at all what I thought of when I saw the term alignment.  I was thinking about the definition that is found in Medical Terminology Complete! by Bruce Wingerd.  He states that "Body alignment is the optimal placement of the body parts so that the skeletal bones are efficiently used, so the muscles have to do less work for the same effect."  I have had many teachers refer to this definition in their classes, including myself, but I like to think about it as training your body so that its allowed to be lazy, or do less work.

A is for... Absolutely All Aspects (of Ballet)

When I started pointe class when I was 12 we were required to buy the Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant.  Now, 18 years later I'm returning to college for a second degree in dance, and the same Ballet Dictionary was our required text book for my ballet courses.  I'm amazed that this one book has stood the test of time, and is so valued among dancers.  It is my dance bible, and I always have it on me for the classes that I teach, and the ones I attend as a student.

I have been teaching dance in one form or another for the last 14 years, and this blog (since blogs have been around) has always been a goal of mine.  I will be going item through item of the Ballet Dictionary and researching each element, fully understanding them, and post some pictures and videos of these moves as well.  I know this will help me become a better student of Ballet, but also a better teacher.

I will also be posting different barre lessons, center and across the floor exercises for some of the different terms.  Its an ultimate goal to make this a place where other dance teachers can purchase my lesson plans that I've spent so many hours designing.

So here's to the new year, and Ballet Basics from A-Z!