“Élancer - Swiftly Darting” is the last in my podcast series on the seven basic movements of ballet, so if you missed them, you may also wish to go back and listen to Episodes: #014 “Powerful Plies” #016 “Tendus & What it Means to Stretch” #018 “Relever & Rising,” #019 “Tourner - turning, rotation, and creative U-turns,” #020 “Sauter, Jumping, & Leaps of Faith,” & #021 “Glisser - Smoothly Gliding.”
Hummingbirds and bees hover, then dart. When we throw a dart, we zero in on our target, take aim, and strive to send it with swift efficiency to the center of the bullseye. Darting movements are required for fencing or tennis, and many other sports.
The feeling of darting is powerful, decisive, assertive, direct, strong, even a bit risky and brave. Stabbing, slicing, bounding, pouncing, snatching...all involve the sharp quickness of darting.
The Laban Movement Analysis Effort most closely resembling darting is “Punch,” which is direct, strong, and quick. This type of movement has a specific focus or sense of directionality, and moves in that dimension very suddenly.
“Don Quixote” is one of my favorite examples of balletic darting, with virtuosic feats of speed, amplitude, and sheer energy. It’s really such a fun, thrilling performance to participate in as well as to watch. I can’t decide if I prefer the Barishnikov/Harvey version or Acosta/Nunez. Who do you think does it best?
Getting down to the specifics of balletic darting, this week on my YouTube Channel I’m sharing the exercise of battements frappés, which is a beat of the leg, striking the ball of the foot against the floor, triggering the toes to point in a stabbing sort of kick. These movements are explosive and forceful, yet precise and controlled. When we use this sort of force to spring into the air and then land on a new foot, it becomes petit jeté.
In yoga, we don’t typically dart through space, but we do practice the focus required to respond appropriately to what is whizzing all around us, to act with discernment and avoid impulsivity. We can move quickly when necessary, but also maintain control.
Where do you need to take quick and decisive action right now? What do you need to practice to move powerfully in the direction of your choosing?
Thanks for joining me for this exploration of Classical Ballet Technique in theory & practice, as well as it’s larger life applications. For more, please visit me at ablythecoach.com
