fLexNpOinte Posted June 20, 2003 Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Hello everyone! I know that there have been several comments and suggestions on people with hypoextended knees. The stretches suggested are very useful and beneficial. ;) However, I was curious to know how much of a hindrance this is to a professional ballet career. Are there any professional dancers that are hypoextended? I happen to possess knees that don't appear straight ( I am working very hard to change that ). I don't feel that they have held me back from being accepted into summer intensives and advancing my technique. However, I am very curious to see if there are in fact any professional dancers that someone may know of that possess less-than-ideal knees. Any replies would be a GREAT help. Thank you! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted June 20, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Hello flexnpointe, welcome to the Young Dancers' forum on Ballet Alert! Online Knees that do not appear straight are definitely a problem, however, I think there are probably some dancers who have been able to work them to the point where they at least look like they are straight. This would be rather essential, but it's hard to say whether someone can achieve this or not. Quote Link to comment
fLexNpOinte Posted June 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Thank you so much for your input! This is just another obstacle that I am going to have to overcome. Hopefully, with a lot of hard work and stretching, knees that appear straight can be accomplished! Thank you very much! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 20, 2003 Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 To start off, I looked as though I were hypoextended, but it was only soft tissue that was holding my legs from straightening completely, and that soon released and my legs straightened. True hypoextension is a skeletal thing, and bones don't bend very easily. Quote Link to comment
Guest thumpinhippo Posted June 20, 2003 Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Just checking...is hypoextended not quite straight yet? So then hyperextended would be the other way when they start bending the other way? Well i've heard this is a gift/talent but only if it is taken advantage of. Why is this good and is there any way to fix it? (just to let people know, i don't have this type of knee structure but i've seen it) Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted June 20, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Hyperextension creates a better line of the extended leg, and is often the type of structure which may have a very good foot for ballet. The problem with it is that it must be controlled in the standing leg, which can be difficult if not placed very carefully and taught to use the right muscles to maintain placement. Hypoextension, as Mr. Johnson said, can be corrected if it is a matter of muscle usage and not bone structure. With both conditions one can only change usage and placement, not bones, however it does seem to be more difficult to attain straight knees than to correct knees which are beyond straight. Quote Link to comment
fLexNpOinte Posted June 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 The answer to my question is most likely obvious and I am just not seeing it. ;) How do you know if knees that do not appear straight are caused due to tissue or bone? When I fully stretch my leg in a profile view, the back of my leg appears as a straight line, however, my knees appear as a "bump" on the front of my leg interrupting a straight line. I hope that this makes sense and is understandable. Thank you for all of your help! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 20, 2003 Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 The sure way to find out is to have an X-ray of your knees taken. It will become obvious whether the problem is muscle/tendon/ligament or bone in origin. Quote Link to comment
Guest kirovboy Posted June 20, 2003 Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Hey! The people that know me personally on this message board will probably know that Ive been itching to post something on this topic. I am known for my complaints about hypoextended knees. My knees do not straighten! And I feel that it has been very good and bad for me. I feel that a lot of times when you are auditioning for places to train, they mainly look at your facility, and if you dont have the best facility,chances are you are really going to have to have the technique to back yourself up to get in. But on the upper hand, knees that dont straighten are actually extremely strong, and much less prone to injury or weakness. I dont normally have knee problems, or other issues usually caused by the weakness of hyperextension. I cant say I dont wish my legs were hyperextended, because that is probably one of my obsessions. But aside from that, there are exercises you can do to improve your knees. Most of them are detrimental and I will not tell them( I know from experience). But also, stretching your hamstrings will help release the backs of your legs, but slowly and not forced. My knees have gotten straighter, but will probably never be fully straight. Keep at it! And people with hypoextended knees definitely get jobs;) To all of my friends, dont laugh at me, you knew I couldnt stay away from this post! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 20, 2003 Report Share Posted June 20, 2003 Good post, kirovboy! Very sound thinking and nothing quite beats the voice of experience! Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.