Hi,

I'm currently undertaking a research project focussing on the benefits or otherwise of the use of imagery in ballet training, and I'm wondering if anyone who teaches classical ballet might be willing to offer their opinions on/discuss the following points/themes? It would be wonderful if interesting insights/conflicting points of view arose which could potentially contribute to my research : )

Basically, I'm looking for insights on any/all of the following:

* What role(s) teachers feel imagery plays in ballet training
* How effective teachers find it to use
* How students respond to the use of imagery in class
* What factors affect the effectiveness of its provision
* How teachers rate imagery as an educational tool in terms of improvement (technique, performance or otherwise) and/or information retention levels
* How much and the ways in which teachers tend to utilise it in their teaching.

Any opinions would be fantastic - all the practitioners I've approached/discussed these themes with so far have found them very interesting to consider so I hope you find the same!

Thanks : )

Elle

Oh my, my class is total imagery. I am always using sounds, pictures, ideas, feelings...anything they can relate to to feel a movement, muscle, steps, choreography, concept.

Have used for 20+ years and will continue to use. I feel it it extremely helpful with working children. If my one way of putting a movement across doensn't work with a particular student, I go home and try to come up with ideas and ways I can explain it differently. Everyone learns differently.

I always use imagery, and character references when doing a performance. If they don't pull from somewhere, you sometimes get a bland performance or a fake performance.

Even with something as basic as a port de bras, I find students sometimes wack their arms to the next position. It helps when going from 2nd to 1st if they imagine going around something, I tell them to hug someone/audience/tree/. I have stood there and had them reach around me to see effect it has, instead of reaching through, they reach around and start to feel and see the difference.

Hope this helped.

* What role(s) teachers feel imagery plays in ballet training
I found it very useful when my instructors used imagery and I often recall their images in my own classes now. As the other poster said...All students learn differently

* How effective teachers find it to use
Many of my students respond well to the imagery that I use in class. I have seen it positively effect their dancing/performing

* How students respond to the use of imagery in class
Sometimes they laugh at the imagery that I use, but then they think about it and try to apply it. I have had many students come to me over the years (after they have graduated) saying things like "Remember when you told us to think of step X like this", etc...
* What factors affect the effectiveness of its provision
I think that the students have to be open to visualization and taking things out of context sometime. They really need to think outside of the box on some steps in order to grasp their true meaning

* How teachers rate imagery as an educational tool in terms of improvement (technique, performance or otherwise) and/or information retention levels
I rate it very high...9 out of 10 perhaps? I have former students still coming up to me saying little phrases that I taught them 10+ years ago. Their technique improves so much (as does their performance ability) when they can relate something from everyday life into their dancing...

* How much and the ways in which teachers tend to utilise it in their teaching.
I use it in every class and have done so with all ages for the past 17 years. I too, will continue to do so for as long as I shall teach. It's effectiveness and response is well reciprocated.

Good Luck!!

I think imagery is a valuable teaching tool. It allows students to see their movements in a different light.
I also find it very effective in all age groups as you can adjust the imagery for different ages.
I think in general students can utilize the imagery presented to become more aware of how they are moving. It also can help them see something in a different light-an epiphany moment if you will...
I think for imagery to be effective you have to be age appropriate-you can't ask them to picture something or imagine something that they have no comprehension of. (You can't tell a child to stand like a flamingo if they have never seen a flamingo!)
I generally use imagery when demonstrating a new step and also as a way to work on technique. I use it as often as possible and the kids can sometimes tell me the imagery reference before they can name the step!

It's not just a case of it being useful, when the body isn't allowed to look to see what it's doing the brain needs imagery in order to process the information it's being given properly. So really it's an essential part of teaching dance from the word go up until retirement.

These are fantastic responses, thank you all!

Any more opinions very welcome!

These are fantastic responses, thank you all!

Any more opinions very welcome!