DoctorBallet's, "Secret to Grand Battment".

The technique of ballet is geometry & physics.The objective of [grahn bat-MAHN] Grand Battment, is to loosen the hip joint and turn out the leg from the hip. Grand battement, requires strong hip flexors and flexible hamstrings and adductors. Remember, all energy begins & ends in the center. Always synchronize breathing with any movement. Picture yourself inside of a vertical circle. Forget the word "kick". Erase it from your mind. Grand Battment is an "arc". Create a visual picture of your leg moving in an arc through space touching every point of the circle with the toe. The foot passes thru 4th, ball of the foot, to tendu before arcing into the air & then returning thru tendu, ball of the foot & 4th back to the starting point. Same applies in every direction. The energy when released in grand battement should remain the same going up & coming down in Grand Battment. Always think of the energy leaving from your center(belly button) & returning center. (Breath out to release, breath in as you return to center.) The secret to having a higher Grand Battment? Remember to lift the upper body as far away from the floor as possible so the leg always flows freely through space without restriction.The line of the leg stays the same throughout the execution in any direction. Check it in the mirror. If your center collapses like an accordian in Grand Battment. There's your answer.

Why It Matters

A must-read for all dance parents:

Unqualified Ballet Teachers Can Damage Children

A Streetcar Named Desire

I was inspired by the early ballet films of John Neumeier. His ballet "A Streetcar Named Desire" was choreographed  in 1983. While filming a special for PBS at the Bavarian FilmPlatz in Munich, 1984,I had every intention of making it to Hamburg, introducing myself, and saying "Thanks for all the Inspiration!". Since I didn't get the chance. I'm saying it now. THANKS!

Which Ballet Company Should I audition for?

Without a doubt, one that has Union Representation.

"AGMA represents the dancers of New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, BalletMet, Ballet San Jose, Ballet Tech, Ballet West, Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Milwaukee Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, the Washington Ballet, and the Corps de Ballet at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, The Washington Opera, and the dancers of Movin' Out." Wikipedia.

Why? Because the other ones don't. The best you're going to get from the rest is, Workman's Compensation. If you want more insurance coverage that's up to you. But it will be from your own pocket.

Analysis of Ballet injuries and financial costs.

How much do Ballet dancers make?

The average salary of a Corps de Ballet.

Did someone say "Smooth"? Put on your dancin' shoes. It's time to Rumba. "Another Thin Man" 1939 West Indies Club, featuring Estella Ajon & Rene Rivero.

Jig

For those who might have missed it. A "must see". Fun for the whole family.

First Position

Coming soon. "First Position".
An awesome documentary for anyone who aspires to dance at the highest level.
This film leaves no doubt as to the mental, physical & financial sacrifice it takes to have a professional career in dance.

Real Men Can Dance

Imagine 50 dudes in dance class. No, this isn't the 70's. It's 2012. Only exists at one place in the US. Can you guess?

Daniil Simkin at 17

Saw this a few years ago when Daniil first posted it on Youtube in 06. Thought to myself, this little dude is gonna be a star someday. Didn't take long.

Ballet Instead of Ritalin

Ritalin is a stimulant that increases extracellular dopamine levels in the brain. This enables one to focus more intensely on the task at hand. At the same time the drug decreases the firing of background neurons not associated with task performance-- distractions. The end result? The brain is able to fire a clear signal which is not as easily distracted. Kinda like switching from antenna TV to cable. The Problem? Ritalin is a mind-altering drug that changes brain chemistry in children & adults. It is also habit-forming and comes with a whole slew of warnings and side effects. Not enough research is available to determine what the long term effects of Ritalin are on the central nervous system. After 45 yrs. in the ballet, I have seen indisputable evidence of how ballet training has changed the lives of children as well as adults who were thought to have ADD or ADHD. How does it work? 1.Repetition. Ballet exercises at the barre are repetitive. Every class involves repeating the same series of exercises day after day with only slight variations depending on level and experience. This creates new muscle memories that become second nature over time. The body/mind connection becomes more in sync as new synapses are created in the brain. The result? More mental & physical discipline and focus. 2. Classical Music. It has long been known there is a there is a direct connection between classical music and its effect on memory. Ever heard of the "Mozart Effect"? Studies have shown that students who listened to classical music while learning a new language were able to learn more words per day and had a 92% retention rate. Freaky, huh? The best results were found when using music that had a rate of 60 beats per minute. Hmmm...kinda like the human heart. Weird, huh? 3. Ballet is the Ultimate in Multi-Tasking. Ever watch a child (or adult) playing video games? Good luck trying to distract them when they are "In the Zone." I wouldn't advise bothering them or turning off the power during these times of hyper-vigilance. Yikes! Ballet does the same thing, but in a much calmer way, mentally and physically. They can operate "In the Zone" at the same intense level mentally and physically, but without the increased changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The highest levels of mental and physical performance occur during an ultimate state of relaxation. Is ballet the only way help people who have been diagnosed with ADD & ADHD? Of course not. It's one of many. But in my opinion, it sure trumps the alternative. Mind-Altering, psychotropic drugs.