Guest DancinKiki Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 (edited) Lately, my teachers have been nagging on me to straighten my legs. I straighten them as much as I possibly can, to the point that I'm shaking. They say that my legs are not completly straight. One of my teachers suggested a excersise that I do. I sit in strattle, and forse my knees to touch the ground. I do this quite often, and it doesnt seem to be working. So, I was wondering if any of you have any helpful suggestions for me, and possibly some excersises that would help me out. Thanks! ~Kiki Edited November 19, 2003 by DancinKiki Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted November 19, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Hello Kiki, welcome to the Young Dancers' forum here on Ballet Alert! Online Some people do have a leg structure that prevents the knees from straightening all the way. This is hypoextension, which is the opposite of hyperextension, where the knees straighten too far back. With hypoextension you will have to work very hard to get them to straighten, and it will take quite a long time. It's not going to happen overnight, and not even in a few months. It could take years. One of the best exercises I know is to place a small rubber ball under your knee, while you sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. The ball should not be too hard. Even a worn out tennis ball would work. Flex your foot and engage your quad muscle and press that ball down with your knee. Do several sets of this with each leg every day. Press, hold a few counts, release, and do it again. Several sets of 10 times on each leg. And have patience! These kinds of changes will take a long time. PS - Could you please tell me more about your "monthly newsletter" and where this is located? Quote Link to comment
Guest DancinKiki Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Thank you sooo much Victoria Leigh! I will have to try that! I have started a monthly newsletter that is called "On the Pointe" and I am also the president. Anyone can subscribe, its free, and through e-mail. There are contests, advice, bios on dancers each month, nutrition, excersise tips, and more! It is such a sucsess, and we have over 100 great subscribers in just our 2 1st newsletters. I have a very comited staff that is growing by the minute! If you are further interested, just talk to me and I'll be happy to send u our past newsletters, add you to the list, and answer any further questions you may have! And thanks again for the GREAT advice! ~Kiki Quote Link to comment
Guest pointequeen Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 I'm not sure if this is hypoextention but when my knees look slightly bent in an arabesque, it doesnt look completely straight but it is straight. But when I'm standing in any position orlifting my leg up to the front or to the side, it seems almost a little more than straight( does that make sense? it kinda curves inwards and looks like hyperextention) Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted November 20, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 No, pointequeen, I'm afraid it does not make sense at all. It the knees look completely straight, or even more than straight when extended front and side, then there is absolutely no reason at all for them to not look straight in arabesque unless you just think they are straight but they really are not. This happens a lot with many dancers. It's harder to tell in arabesque, and you often think they are straight when they aren't. Quote Link to comment
Guest Ennovy Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Than how could you know if your legs are staighten or not on stage ? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted November 27, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Ennovy, you have to learn to FEEL when they are really straight! That's what classes are for, and just one of the many reasons it takes so long to train a dancer! Quote Link to comment
Guest mixiedancer Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 DancinKiki, can you tell me some more about your newsletter. Quote Link to comment
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