Classical Ballet: Relevé

Relevé

Relevés are used for many things, the most basic thing is strengthening your toes, but in many dances/routines/solos a dancer will go into a relevé or demi-pointe in some way shape or form. Relevés like my last blog are very fundamental but very important and no matter your experience as a dancer you will continue to do them.

Like all things in Ballet, you will start in your starting positions, Relevés can be taken from any position, I will be demonstrating them from first position. There isn't much to say about your starting position, other than keep your hips squared and technique in tact. You start strong to finish strong, if you start a combination with good technique it will be easier for you to finish it with good technique.

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The next part of the exercise is to plié. Your plié will give you what you need to spring up and really lift, so be sure to utilize it to the best of your ability. Key things to note in your plié is to keep your knees directly over your toes, so if you ever notice that they are not, due to forcing your turn out, or not turning out, make the necessary corrections and adjustments.

The final movement is to spring upward straightening your legs, maintaining your turn out, and pushing up onto your toes. Make sure that all weight is being placed upon your second toe, and your feet do not sickle where your weight is being placed on the outside of your foot and pinkie toe which will make your ankles bend in an odd way. Keep your ankles straight and weight in your second toe. My book says "Relevé is always a fast, bright movement, the effort of which must never be reflected in the upper body." (Warren 350) I've never really thought of this because personally I have never had this issue, when watching myself in the mirror, but thinking about it I have seen other dancers do this where it looks like they pull themselves up with their upper body.

Thank you for reading my blog! This is all I have for relevés, I hope that you found it interesting or educational. Is there anything that you have struggled with during relevés? What was it and how did you correct it?