Knees Straight

[Guest jla_ksu]

Hi All,

 

I have a problem with keeping my knees straight, both at the barre and in the center.

I am not sure what it is, but I have to really concentrate to keep them straight, and if I lose concentration for a bit I tend to bend my knees just slightly.

 

I am slightly double jointed and when I lock my knees they bow slightly to the back. Not a problem, but I am used to not locking them. When I stand I tend to have them either slightly bent forward or straight up an down. But in class I need to lock them so I don't lose the form in the movements.

 

I am new to class ballet, I started in January and am taking a partnering class, a mens class and am also in the advanced class (simply because it is right before the partnering class).

 

I am having a great time, but this is really bothering me.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Jeff

[Victoria Leigh]

Hi Jeff, and welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers!

 

A couple of things I thought I might address for you, and that is first of all, you really, really need to be in a beginning technique class! Advanced classes are not going to teach you HOW to work correctly, and you will be so busy trying to learn steps and combinations that you will not learn correct alignment, weight placement, muscle usage, etc.

 

Since your knees are hyperextended (there is really only one joint there ) it is very important not to lock them back, but to use the quad muscles to straighten them all the way. The best control for this is to be sure that your pelvic alignment is correct and that your weight is NOT back in your heels! It is not very easy to correct these kind of knees, and takes a bit of diligence on the part of the teacher and the student. When not weight bearing they can be completely straight, that is locked all the way, and they make a very nice line. However, when weight bearing, they should not lock back but must still be straight.

 

Try working with a theraband to help feel the knee straighten by using the quads, but don't let it straighten beyond the straight line of the leg.

[Mel Johnson]

Hi Jeff, Ms. Leigh is correct. You need that beginning class to help you. Sink or swim is used when you're a little farther along, but you can hurt yourself if you try all the advanced stuff as a beginner. You'll probably miss some important stuff along the line, too.

[Guest Until The End Of Time]

Mel can't you also practice laying face first on the floor at home and doing the techniques. I've been doing it, My friend from Alvin Ailey told me it would help me keep everything straighter if I really concetrate on doing and take my time. I find that it helps.

[Mel Johnson]

That's one way of doing it, but it's for people who are a bit further along in training. The downside of working on your stomach is that it doesn't show you how to maintain balance, and also, when you are prone, you don't have anyplace else to go when you don't have perfect turnout. Better to work upright when starting out. Then a few supplementary exercises sitting or lying down are proper to add as proficiency grows.

[Guest Maverick]

Mel and Victoria are correct in recommending basic ballet training in a beginners environment. From my limited experience, I can only suggest that building a proper foundation is the only way to long term success. The alternative is not productive and potentially harmful.

 

When I ventured into ballet, it became clear very quickly there is a "right" way to learn this art form, and there is everything else. I'll put my money and aching body on the "right" way, every time.

 

If you belive that "Success is the progessive realization of a worthy goal," you'll find that focusing on the the fundamentals is high art unto itself.

[Guest jla_ksu]

Thank you all for your responses.

 

I do understand that in order to get better at ballet I need a strong foundation. That is why I am taking the Mens class. It is a very basic class. The "Men" are several young teens and pre-teens and several older men (25 to 49). The size of the class ranges from four to seven.

 

I also understand that, as an adult learner, it is useful for me to be exposed to dancers that are better than me. That way I can see what it looks like to do the movement correctly. I do my best in the advanced class and the girls and teacher is very supportive and provide guidance and corrections at the level I am capable of. In addition, it lets the girls get to know me better so that they feel more comfortable partnering with me.

 

However, my original question was not really answered.

 

I am having a hard time keeping my supporting leg straight. Are there any exercises or techniques that can help me with that? I understand that the knee only has one joint and that what I have are knees that hyperextend. I don't want to lock it back because it gets uncomfortable in that position. It is not bad, but I want to try to improve on this part.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Jeff

[Victoria Leigh]

Jeff, try reading my post again. I really do think I answered your question. (Check the part about quad muscles, pelvic alignment, weight placement, and also using a theraband to work the quads and straighten the knees without hyperextending them.)

[Mel Johnson]

I concur. That's why you have to start with a beginner's class - so you can learn the physical consquences of anatomical actions.

[Guest jla_ksu]

Thank you for your response.

Ms. Leigh, I reread your reply and you did give some good advise. Thank you.

The dance studio has open studio two days a week for the rest of the summer. It is primarily for the more experienced dancers, actually the two or three senior dancers run it. But they are very helpful and encouraging to me. They see guy who wants to get better and they want to help. As you know guys are few and far between. Lucky for me and the rest of the studio there are six or so guys who do regular partnering, and more who do some. So, I have a good set of role models.

Again, Thank you for your help and advise. I will keep you updated.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff