Tonight I was at class and we learned (and practiced ) the correct way to position your foot at all times. I forgot the word! My teacher said it a hundred times, but it has escaped me. To be more specific, I am looking for the "term" that describes the position of the foot when the heel is above the toes. An example would be the position of the foot in arabesque when your foot wings toward the ceiling. Any ideas?

I don't know if this is the direction you're going, but I've heard it referred to as "beveling" or "sickling outwards".

Other terms I've heard are hooking and fishing the foot.

I'm a bit surprised :confused: that this would be the "correct" way to hold one's foot, if this is indeed the "winging" which it seems to be.

-d-

Hi, I'm moving this topic to the Students' forum if you don't mind, so that it'll get more attention there from teachers and other students. Follow me there!

Not too sure I would call this the correct way if indeed it was winging that she described?

One strives for a very pointed and well arched foot at all times.

Here's some past discussions of beveling or winging:

http://forum.criticaldance.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=000078

There is a link to another discussion within that thread, as well as picture of an exaggerated bevel.

--Andre

I too believe it's called winging, and my ballet teacher always emphasizes the heel being above the toes as well. I must admit, it does create a much nicer line, especially in pointe shoes.But it's not anatomically correct.But then again, alot of things in ballet aren't!