| For example, if your class has done adage in the | | | | When you are feeling steady with these movements, |
| center consisting of develope en croix, and your new | | | | you would want to add going into a demi plie at the |
| level requires a fouette or promenade, you may need | | | | end of the develop, and releve the fouette, then |
| to build more strength in your center. | | | | coming down into a strong demi plie. This will be |
| Fouette in adage depends on the stability of the | | | | needed in fouette releve en pointe, and fouette saute, |
| supporting side, firstly, then of course, also the working | | | | for a good strong landing. Adage is a preparation for |
| position. | | | | these, as well as for adage choreography. |
| To break it down, you could practice an exercise | | | | If you feel wobbly in the torso, or are straining your |
| where the you develop devant, turn a quarter turn to | | | | neck and shoulders to balance, you can do the lying on |
| face the wall, moving the supporting heel and thigh to a | | | | the floor on your side exercise, raising both legs up a |
| new turned out position, and the working leg coming | | | | few inches, straight, keeping the supporting waist held |
| forward to its proper second position. You could either | | | | off the floor. 4-8 times per side and you will build core |
| close here, and develop a la seconde and then turn a | | | | strength. |
| quarter turn back to devant, or just keep holding the | | | | Teachers break movements down like this, and you |
| leg up and turn back to devant. It depends on your | | | | can even practice the position changes in retire or a |
| current strength and stamina. You can do this four | | | | tendu, to get those torso muscles fully engaged and |
| times on each side, changing sides, so as not to | | | | controlled. |
| exhaust the supporting side. | | | | This strength in your center means a lot when you put |
| You would do the same, going from develop a la | | | | on pointe shoes and wobble until you get used to the |
| seconde to arabesque, always leading with the | | | | shoe, maintaining a full height position and balancing on |
| supporting heel/thigh and adjusting to the arabesque | | | | the sole of the pointe shoe. |
| position carefully. | | | | Building this core strength through preparation |
| And then with develop to arabesque back to a la | | | | exercises leads to the "effortless" quality that is so |
| seconde. | | | | admired in professionals. And you can do it too. |