Working the feet well and articulating every movement when dancing is imperative for a dancer, and encourages the feet and leg line to extend. Articulating the feet is ultimately important when younger ballet dancers are preparing to go on pointe, creating strong and elegant feet. Without this strength the feet can look clumsy and cumbersome: the feet can transform the way a dancer looks.
Gain awareness of your feet by ensuring your dance shoes are professionally fitted until you know the style and size that suits you. Your feet should be snug but not so the foot cannot move and the toes cannot lie flat when working through movements. The important part of the work undertaken in a dance class, particularly ballet, is that the dancer can feel the floor sufficiently, and can use it properly to work the feet and lower legs. Different exercises at the barre require the feet to work in different ways, so the more awareness of how the feet feel and move, the more articulation.
A dancer must learn how to create movements correctly, and in order to do this the muscles in the feet and ankles must be strong. Warm up thoroughly before dance class and focus particularly on warming up the calves and the smaller muscles in the feet. Not only will this improve performance but it will encourage more movement through the ankle. Massaging and foam rolling tight calves and the arches of the feet can also increase feet flexibility and reduce muscular stiffness.
Remember that the key to working the feet properly is impeccable technique. If the feet are being used incorrectly not only does this encourage bad habits but it also means the foot is being worked in a way that is not so beneficial. Part of this is ensuring the foot is pointed correctly without sickling, extending from the ankle joint through to the toes. This also encourages the arches of the feet to engage and the muscles to be invigorated to work hard during class, making the transition to pointe work much easier.
Feet focus
Working the feet well and articulating every movement when dancing is imperative for a dancer, and encourages the feet and leg line to extend. Articulating the feet is ultimately important when younger ballet dancers are preparing to go on pointe, creating strong and elegant feet. Without this strength the feet can look clumsy and cumbersome: the feet can transform the way a dancer looks.
Gain awareness of your feet by ensuring your dance shoes are professionally fitted until you know the style and size that suits you. Your feet should be snug but not so the foot cannot move and the toes cannot lie flat when working through movements. The important part of the work undertaken in a dance class, particularly ballet, is that the dancer can feel the floor sufficiently, and can use it properly to work the feet and lower legs. Different exercises at the barre require the feet to work in different ways, so the more awareness of how the feet feel and move, the more articulation.
A dancer must learn how to create movements correctly, and in order to do this the muscles in the feet and ankles must be strong. Warm up thoroughly before dance class and focus particularly on warming up the calves and the smaller muscles in the feet. Not only will this improve performance but it will encourage more movement through the ankle. Massaging and foam rolling tight calves and the arches of the feet can also increase feet flexibility and reduce muscular stiffness.
Remember that the key to working the feet properly is impeccable technique. If the feet are being used incorrectly not only does this encourage bad habits but it also means the foot is being worked in a way that is not so beneficial. Part of this is ensuring the foot is pointed correctly without sickling, extending from the ankle joint through to the toes. This also encourages the arches of the feet to engage and the muscles to be invigorated to work hard during class, making the transition to pointe work much easier.