getting legs higher

[Guest mic31]

I was wondering if anybody knows of any strengthening excersises to help to be able to raise my leg higher in an excersise like grand ronds de jambe?

[Mel Johnson]

Remember, the best practice for anything ballet is...more ballet. Have problems with an exercise done from a developpé? Do more developpés. Remember, the grand rond de jambe en l'air can be done at both demi en l'air (halfway up) to a fully extended position. They should remain at a uniform height all around, and not drop. Practice getting that right at 45 degrees first, then go for it a little higher next time.

[Guest mic31]

thanks Mel, sage advice as always

[balletowoman]

As you spoke about the RAD intermediate exam in another post, I just wanted to specify that the grand rond de jambe en l'air is to be taken no higher than 90 degrees.

Similarly, the demi grand rond de jambe exercise in the centre will be fine if placed correctly between 75 and 90 degrees (as long as your demi grand rond de jambe is at the same height devant/cote and cote/derriere and same in reverse).

It's uniformity and cleanliness that's important.

 

If you compare a grand rond de jambe at 90 degrees but when it passes to the back your hip goes up like a peeing dog, and in comparison, if you have it at 75 but it stays there throughout and is placed beautifully, I know which one I'll choose any day!

[Mel Johnson]

If you compare a grand rond de jambe at 90 degrees but when it passes to the back your hip goes up like a peeing dog

I had a teacher (the late Meredith Baylis) who referred to this position, especially in attitude, as "pas de chien".

[Guest BalletBrat]

My teacher always called it, "Doggy on a fire hydrant", this visual usually got a few chuckles!

 

I just wanted to say that I have seen great improvement in my extensions this year. Some things I have done are alot of held extensions at home. Just developpes as high as I can (without compromising correct placement) and then hold it as long as I can, usually as close to 10 seconds as possible. I have also been working on my hamstrings and hip flexors, trying to balance strength with greater flexibilty. I find I can get my leg to 90 degreees with very little effort now, and have now gained a developpe to about 100 degrees putting in a little more effort.

 

One exercise I like a lot and has worked for developing more strength as well as flexibility is a developpe exercise: 8 counts, adagio 6/8 works well

1 degage devant

2 lift to 45

3 Hold

4 Retire devant

5-6 Devleoppe devant en fondu

7 stretch supporting leg

8 close devant

repeat en croix

demi detourne to repeat other side

 

Then repeat all on demi pointe

 

1 degage devant

2 lift to 45 with a rise

3 Hold

4 Retire devant still en demi pointe

5-6 Developpe devant en fondu

7 Releve

8 close

 

Repeat en croix

Demi detourne to repeat other side.

Edited October 13, 2004 by BalletBrat

[Guest ewelker]

i have always had a problem with the top of my thigh gripping when i try the first part of that exercise (degage and slowly raising the leg to 90 degrees or higher). i have pretty good extension when doing developpes or grand battements, but i can't get my leg above 90 while doing that exercise, and it just feels wrong. my hips are level-- any suggestions?

[Victoria Leigh]

Lifting the leg higher from a hold in a lower position is very difficult, and really hard to learn to do without gripping the thighs. It's possible, but I would not give it to anyone but an advanced level dancer. Lifting it from a dégagé of 45 or 60 degrees to 90 is not too bad if you don't stop the movement. In order to do either one safely and without gripping, you need to understand the theory of releasing the energy from underneath the leg. While the quads have to work, they do not have to grip if you use the breath (exhale at the beginning of the movement) to help you feel that the energy to lift the leg is coming from underneath, not on top.

[Guest BalletBrat]

Thanks for adding that Victoria as it should definatly be noted. I would say for the exercise just lifting the leg to 45 on the battement lent is good, and then try to get it higher on the developpe. I will amend the post to reflect that.

[Guest ewelker]

thanks, ms. leigh-- i hadn't thought of incorporating breath. would exhaling help give me that "dropped" or "grounded" feeling through the center line of my body? is that what you mean? using the back of thigh in all movements is always something i've struggled with, but i'll try that out next class.

[Victoria Leigh]

I don't think I know what you mean by "dropped" or "grounded" in relation to the breath, ewelker. I use the breathing to help release tension and create an energy flow, and release the energy for the harder movements instead of making the muscles overwork or work inefficiently.

[Guest LisaB]

Ms. Leigh,

I love the idea of using the breath to create an energy flow. I just started taking yoga to improve my flexibility (and it's a great warm-up for dance class). The instructor spends a lot of time telling us how to use our breath. I've found it is a great help for my stretching to incorporate breathing, but I never thought of (and no one has ever mentioned) using it in ballet. I'm going to try it in class tonight. Thanks.

[missvjc420]

Note: Please check with a moderator or teacher before following anyone's advice. I mean well, and this works for me, but I've been dancing all of my life and it's pure instinct. I've had plenty of time to develop bad habits.

 

One thing I like to do is visualize where I want my tip of my toe to be in space. It may not get there at first, but after a while it works.

Another thing you can do is to focus on the use of the momentum your leg gains from your foot brushing across the floor. When you are warm, practice grande battements and feel the foot working against the floor. Once you can feel what muscles you're using and how, repeat the movement a bit slower. I have pretty good extension, and I find that it's by deliberately trying to control the tightening of the adductors that my leg gets higher. I also cannot emphasize the importance of really warming up the hip sockets and rotating using the butt muscle that's under the gluteus maximus.

 

For help from someone who really knows what they are talking about, I recommend the book Conditioning For Dance by Eric Franklin.

[Mel Johnson]

Visualization is a supportive device to help you to do what you are trying to do physically. This image sounds as good as any.

[Guest grace]

i just wanted to say that i like the images that missvjc420 suggests, can well imagine that they might help, and will try to remember them and offer them to students. heck, i might even try them myself! : thanks missvjc420