Guest dancingthroughlife Posted August 21, 2004 Report Share Posted August 21, 2004 I have trouble pulling up my knees. I am not hyperextended, but I can't figure out what I should feel/see when I pull up my knees. Should I pull them up until I feel slight pain? Or should I pull them up until I see the muscle definition in my legs? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted August 21, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted August 21, 2004 You don't have to actually "pull them up", just straighten them all the way, using the quad muscles. Practice this on the floor with a theraband, pointing and flexing the foot and straightening the knee using the quad muscle. Quote Link to comment
ballet24/7 Posted August 21, 2004 Report Share Posted August 21, 2004 I have another question about knees...I have pretty bony knees and they stick out a little, giving them a bent look. I can straighten them to make them look nice and slightly hyperextended, but it takes a lot of effort (plus it's hard to think of that on top of all the numerous things you need to think about in ballet). I always watch ballet videos of my performances and see my knees that look bent, and I was wondering if this is something I can fix. Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted August 22, 2004 Report Share Posted August 22, 2004 This is the one with the tennis ###### under the knees. Sit down with your legs in front of you and try to squish the tennis ###### with the backs of your knees. Also, working for the best rotation you can get will minimize this appearance. You may be slightly hypOextended. Quote Link to comment
Guest Alive2Dance Posted August 22, 2004 Report Share Posted August 22, 2004 Mr.Johnson how does that help? Because I was wondering if that might help my bowleggedness look better. My knees never look completely straight. I hope it would help me too! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted August 22, 2004 Report Share Posted August 22, 2004 The exercise builds your quads slightly so that the knobby knees don't look out of line. It also stretches some soft tissues in the kneejoint to allow full travel of the leg. And using the rotation and turnout you have to the maximum will present a better picture from the front, as well as being technically correct! Quote Link to comment
ballet24/7 Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 Mr. Johnson, can you explain the tennis ball exercise a little bit more? I tried it last night, and it hurt the back of my knee. Also, are you supposed to put your feet under something? Thanks. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted August 23, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 No, you do NOT put your feet under anything. Sit on floor, legs stretched out in front of you. Place a ball, rubber ball or tennis ball that is sort of dead, under one knee. Flex your foot and press down like you are trying to squash the ball. If it hurts your knee, get a softer ball. Quote Link to comment
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