A Curtsy, A Bow and A Reverence

In class, a bow or curtsy, also known as a reverence, is danced as a way of saying thank you to the teachers, pianist and class helpers. A reverence is also danced post a performance as a way of acknowledging the audience and thanking them for watching. During the finale of any ballet, the male dancers will take a bow (or two or three) and the female dancers will take a curtsy (or four or five). At the end of a ballet, my sister always jokes about whether the curtain will finally go down because the ballerinas do so many curtsies!

I myself love a good curtsy and I enjoy jazzing it up a little bit by adding in extra arms and encouraging my students to catch their flowers after they curtsy, as if they are performing live on stage! It’s good fun to pretend an audience is watching you even if you are dancing at home or at a studio.

If you are a beginner looking to try out a curtsy, begin with your feet in first with the heels together and positioned in a ‘v' shape. Using your right foot take a step to the side pointing your left toes then place the left foot behind the right making sure the ball of the foot is positioned firmly on the ground. Next take a small bend with your arms carefully positioned over your tutu. I hope that you find an occasion where a curtsy suits today!