Sunday, March 18, 2012

{Arabesque}
Arabesque indicates a position of the body where the dancer stands on one leg, while the other leg is extended behind the body, with both knees straight. The arabesque position can be performed with the supporting leg and foot either en pointe, demi pointe or on a flat foot. The back leg may either touch the floor in tendu back (called arabesque par terre), or be raised at an angle. Common angles are 45° (also called à demi hauteur), and 90° (à la hauteur). When the angle is much greater than 90° and the body leans forward to counterbalance the back leg, the pose is called arabesque penchée. There are also various arm and leg combinations, such as forward on the same side as the back leg or the other arm forward. These combinations vary according to the syllabus or method used. In ballet, the arabesque is always performed with turnout, this allows the knee and foot to create a line which is visible to the audience.

After reading that, doesn't it seem funnier that while swimming last week my 4 year-old boy said,
"Look Mom! I can do an arabesque under water!"

He's making his dance teacher proud. (and his Mom, too)

4 comments:

Billie Sue said...

A great arabesque can only lead to success throughout life...right???

Billie Jo said...

Watch out Mikhail Baryshnikov... here comes Jack Robert Johnson! If you could only see the intensity in his body as he performs said arabesque in class and the fact that he can pronounce it is a great accomplishment. I am so glad that he loves dance!

The Gunnerson Family said...

I'm still waiting for the Christmas performance to be shown on your blog! Now THAT was impressive!!!!

Giselle Rasheta said...

I am so proud. As long as he performs the underwater arabesque with turnout as to allow the audience to see one straight line with the knee and the foot... that's a must.