Glissade and Pas de Bourree

 Glissade is a traveling step executed by smoothly moving the working foot from the fifth position to the desired direction, while the other foot follows by closing. Glissade is also use to link other steps. When doing a Glissade in the fifth position the working foot glides along the floor to a strong point a few inches from the floor. The other foot pushes away from the floor so that both knees are straight and both feet are strongly pointed. The weight will be shifted to the working foot. There are six types of Glissades and these are: Glissade Dessous, Glissade Dessus, Glissade en Avant, Glissade en Arriere, Glissade Devant and Glissade Derriere. Glissade Dessous indicates that the working foot goes behind the supporting foot and Glissade Dessus indicates that the working foot goes in front of the supporting foot. Glissade en Avant indicates that the step being done moves forward, towards the audience. Glissade en Arriere indicated that the step being done moves backwards, away from the audience. Glissade Devant means executing the movement in front. This term may apply to a movement, or the placing of a limp in front of the body. Also, it means that the working foot will close in front. Glissade Derriere means that the working foot ill close in the back.

Pas de Bourree is done either on point or demi-pointe. Is a small stepping movement where the dancer transfers the movement front foot to foot with three steps every time. Pas de Bourree Dessous means under. The working foot passes behind the supporting foot. Pas de Bourree Dessus means going over. The working foot passes in front of the supporting foot. Pas de Bourree Devant mean in front. The word "devant" implies that the working foot is closed in the front. Pas de Bourree Derriere means to the back. The word "derriere" implies that the working foot closes in the back. Pas de Bourree en Avant means going forward and it indicates that a step is executed by moving forward. Pas de Bourree en Arriere means going backwards, which means going towards the audience. Pas de Bourree Bateau means executing the movement swinging legs one after the other, slightly inclining torso front and back. Bateau means boat and as the term indicates to rock back and forward but at the same time you do pas de bourree.

Ballet Class

 Grettel Mendez

 Mr. Richard

 3/5/12

In the Ybor City Dance Studio, Ballet class time on February 27^th, 2012, we had a chance to watch a video of our everyday routine in Ballet class. Our professor Mr. Richard asked to look at ourselves individually and the class in general. Moreover, I evaluated myself in every aspect possible.

By looking at the video, I saw that when I did Cambre my weight shift went a little bit forward, for that I need to try to a line my body and keep it firm in order to maintain the position while doing Cambre. In some fast combinations I need to maintain a strong core alone with arms and legs. I need to breathe in between exercises because it helps go easily through the class. When I looked at my arms and then my hands, I saw that I am getting this new habit of having my thumb out of place instead of being almost in touch with the middle finger. Also, I need to try to avoid over rotating in first when doing Plies because I could damage my knees.

As a class I observed that there was lack of unison, we did not look much like an assemble class and I think is because we all need to really listen and feel the music, the pauses, the changes, the sharpness, etc. We as a class need to work on dancing with arms, and using our heads to look graceful because that is the key of being a Ballet dancer. Technique is essential, but not all we need to become amazing dancers, we also have to feel the music and show our passion through the movements of our bodies. I saw that the arms on first in some of my classmates were opened instead of almost touching fingers which I understand because they are more modern dancers. I can relay myself to that example because sometimes I dance too ballerina style when modern dancing but I am working on loosing it up more without forgetting about my modern technique. As a class we need to work more from the inside of the leg to make it easier for us to lift our legs higher and make them lighter to sustain them for longer periods of time. Piques need to be sharper and Ron de jambes need to have the ascent front when working andeor and back when working andedan. We also need to work on turn out from the thighs and really point our toes. I saw a lot of sickling of the foot in passé and it is because there is no thought of brushing through the leg with the heels instead of the toes.

Overall, I found this video very helpful because I have never seen myself or the class in general taking a ballet class before and it does help to see clearly the areas that I and the class in general need to work on.