Ballet Exercises - Higher Grand Jetes

Ballet Exercises - Higher Grand Jetes

Hello!!

Odette, I was just wondering if you had any tips on getting higher grand jetes? I'm hoping on getting Clara in the Nutcracker next year and this year her grand jetes ( and almost everything!) were flawless!!I'm having trouble getting my front leg up, by back leg is goo, but my front is weaker.

Also, any tips on getting Clara in the Nutcacker would be great!!


Thanks:)
Anna
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Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Exercises - Higher Grand Jetes

Hello Anna,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear from you!

I love your drive to improve and goal to get Clara, this determination is very encouraging so keep the good work up!

Ok, so to get a higher grand jete can be reliant of various factors. My main tips would be ....

* Make sure you are using a deep enough plie to give you the power to jump high off the ground.

* Co ordinate your arms and legs, this will help the power of the jump and the speed at which you move. Also, don't forget to use the momentum of the arms to get you higher.

* Think about propelling your hips through the air. Your hips have the most power and use the most energy so really bolt across the stage and move those hips.

Other factors to think about too is musicality, timing, dynamics and confidence.

To help get your front leg higher, stretch your splits to make sure your range is flexible enough to achieve the splits in the air. Grands battements at the barre will help with the height of your front leg, concentrate on really throwing the leg with a strong attack. The higher you jump, the easier it will be to get the legs in full split so your front leg will improve as you gradually strengthen your jump.

I have written a page on ballet jumps which will give you some more tips.

With tips on getting Clara, I would strongly advise you to closely follow the Seven Secrets, on the 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page. Keep focused purely on yourself and keep positive thoughts. Visualize yourself dancing that role of Clara and soaring across the stage with those high grand jetes.

Always remember your passion for dance and bring that love into your performance.

Keep in touch!

All the best,

Odette

Strength and Elevation

by emily
(New Zealand)

Ballet Exercises - Strength and Elevation

How would i be able to get better strength and elevation? ive looked at going to pilates an yoga for my strength but it looks very costly so how would i be able to work on my strength without going to pilates or yoga? Also i can do most jumps with no problem its just a couple of jumps i cant seem to do for example Russians. My split leaps are fine i just cant seem to swap my legs in the air for russians.
Thanks,
Emily :)


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Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Exercises - Still Not Getting Flexible

Hello Emily,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear from you.

Pilates or yoga can be easily done without any cost! I used to love to do pilates at home with a DVD, it was just as beneficial and didn't cost anything. I recommend Darcey Bussell's "Pilates for Life" DVD.

To achieve better overall strength, focus on your abdominal muscles first. By improving your core stability, it will strengthen your general strength and balance. Take a look at my abs workout page to get some good exercises.

I was also constantly trying to get a better elevation throughout my training as a dancer. In each class, I chose a different correction to focus on for my jumps so that I could be aware of how I could improve the elevation. So, first, think about how your plie can provide for each combination of jump. For example, small petit allegro would need a quick, bouncy plie whereas a split leap would need a deeper, stronger plie to give you momentum to jump high.

I have written a great page on ballet jumps which you will find very helpful for additional tips to focus on.

All the best,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page