Comments on: A Jeté That’s Truly Grand http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/11/grand-jete/ Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:11:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/11/grand-jete/comment-page-1/#comment-1759 Nichelle (admin) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:28:34 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1278#comment-1759 Hi Shannon! Thanks for stopping by. The simple answer would be, the same stretches that are good for people who <i>are</i> flexible. However, I realize if you are tightly bound and struggling beside very flexible dancers this can be frustrating. If you are extremely tight, modifying some of the stretches to relieve any strain that may be occurring is probably a good idea. You haven't given a lot of detail about the area of the body that is tight or if you are talking about active, static, or dynamic flexibility (you may want to look at <a href="http://danceadvantage.net/2009/11/19/stretching-splits/" rel="nofollow">this post</a>). Dynamic flexibility (moving through a range of motion) is required for a grand jeté - splits help but as you can see in the "how to improve" section above, are only part of the picture. If you'd like more specific answers, feel free to <a href="http://danceadvantage.net/contact/" rel="nofollow">contact me</a>! Hi Shannon! Thanks for stopping by.

The simple answer would be, the same stretches that are good for people who are flexible. However, I realize if you are tightly bound and struggling beside very flexible dancers this can be frustrating. If you are extremely tight, modifying some of the stretches to relieve any strain that may be occurring is probably a good idea.

You haven’t given a lot of detail about the area of the body that is tight or if you are talking about active, static, or dynamic flexibility (you may want to look at this post). Dynamic flexibility (moving through a range of motion) is required for a grand jeté – splits help but as you can see in the “how to improve” section above, are only part of the picture.

If you’d like more specific answers, feel free to contact me!

]]> By: Shannon http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/11/grand-jete/comment-page-1/#comment-1758 Shannon Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:17:22 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1278#comment-1758 Hi, What stetches are good for people who are not naturally fleixble? Hi, What stetches are good for people who are not naturally fleixble?

]]> By: Laura http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/11/grand-jete/comment-page-1/#comment-1618 Laura Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:23:37 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1278#comment-1618 What you are trying to describe is in fact a change in your center of gravity. During a grande jete (or any jump), your center of gravity will follow a perfect parabola, or arc, in the air. The key to floating is to time the lift of the legs and arms such that your center of gravity follows that parabola, but your visible body glides along for a brief period of time in a straight line. So yes--play with your timing. All the best! What you are trying to describe is in fact a change in your center of gravity. During a grande jete (or any jump), your center of gravity will follow a perfect parabola, or arc, in the air. The key to floating is to time the lift of the legs and arms such that your center of gravity follows that parabola, but your visible body glides along for a brief period of time in a straight line. So yes–play with your timing.

All the best!

]]> By: danceadvantage http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/11/grand-jete/comment-page-/#comment-166 danceadvantage Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:54:03 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1278#comment-166 That's a common problem, Selly. I think a lot of that floating, lifting, suspended feeling has to do with the timing of the legs and the arms at the peak of the jump. Like a tossed ball, your body follows a particular arc but it is your arm and legs that alter and lift that arc, causing that extra hangtime in the air. Think of a cheerleader as she's tossed into the air - she opens her limbs at the highest point and right before coming down, giving the toss some pop and suspension. Perhaps pay attention to when your arms and legs are hitting their peak - is it before or after the peak of your arc? If so, it may be affecting your "soar." Just my thoughts - hope it helps! That’s a common problem, Selly. I think a lot of that floating, lifting, suspended feeling has to do with the timing of the legs and the arms at the peak of the jump. Like a tossed ball, your body follows a particular arc but it is your arm and legs that alter and lift that arc, causing that extra hangtime in the air. Think of a cheerleader as she’s tossed into the air – she opens her limbs at the highest point and right before coming down, giving the toss some pop and suspension. Perhaps pay attention to when your arms and legs are hitting their peak – is it before or after the peak of your arc? If so, it may be affecting your “soar.” Just my thoughts – hope it helps!

]]> By: Selly http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/11/grand-jete/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Selly Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:55:44 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1278#comment-165 The problem I have most with grand jete is staying in the air long enough to really "soar" and stay in a full split for any amount of time before I have to land. The other thing I have trouble with is getting that "floating" feeling, or the "lift" at the end of the jump. I guess the problems sort of go hand in hand, and I have found that when I'm in a bigger room (more space to move/gain momentum) or a room with a bouncier springier floor (more and easier height and bounce to the jump) both of these problems decrease in severity. My ballet teacher always has us think of a big gazelle or deer running. Very cliche, I know. Selly The problem I have most with grand jete is staying in the air long enough to really “soar” and stay in a full split for any amount of time before I have to land. The other thing I have trouble with is getting that “floating” feeling, or the “lift” at the end of the jump. I guess the problems sort of go hand in hand, and I have found that when I’m in a bigger room (more space to move/gain momentum) or a room with a bouncier springier floor (more and easier height and bounce to the jump) both of these problems decrease in severity.

My ballet teacher always has us think of a big gazelle or deer running. Very cliche, I know.

Selly

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