"forced arch"

[Guest la florida]

Hi. Thanks for all the replies to my last post. This forum is always so informative. So I've just started taking classes with a new teacher, and she is very fond of adding "plie, releve, forced arch, and down" or "eleve, forced arch, plie" on the end of almost anything, barre and center. I just find the forced arch position to be really awkward. I was wondering what muscles should be engaged to correctly hold the position and what it is actually useful for. Thanks so much.

[Victoria Leigh]

I think she is probably trying to get you all onto a higher demi pointe position. Also trying to make you use your rotator muscles in the derrière to maintain the rotation you can get in the plié when you straighten to demi pointe. This exercise is also used in pointe shoes.

[Danzatriz]

Sorry but, what is a forced arch? How is it done? I'vve been trying to picture it, but I really don't get it (I know this is probably a silly question but, anfter reaching demi-pointe, I don't see hoe one can "force the arch" )

[Gina Ness]

This probably means a plie on 3/4 pointe...

[Redbookish]

Those more expert than me can add or correct my terminology, but it sounds to me like an exercise I learnt with a Graham teacher in contemporary class.

 

We would do a demi-plie in the centre in 2nd, then rise up onto demi-pointe and then push into the arch and up as well so you're really stretching the metatarsals as well, AND holding our rotation with our adductors/abductors (never can remember which is which - but the inner thigh muscles which help hold rotation).

 

I have strong but quite flat feet without a great arch, so this exercise was great for me to see how far I could push into the instep, and over the metatarsals. You get a strong core sense from having to hold the balance as well!

[Dance_Scholar_London]

I think she is probably trying to get you all onto a higher demi pointe position.

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One of my teachers is using it a lot too. I like the way it stretches my feet and you can see how beautiful your demi pointe position can look like

[MyPointeIsDance]

>Sorry but, what is a forced arch? How is it done?

 

I'm with Danzatriz on this! I admit it's been a long time since I've taken a class, but I can't recall ever hearing this term before. I'd love to hear a description of exactly how it's done.

[Victoria Leigh]

Stand in first position facing the barre. Rise to demi pointe, then demi plié while on demi pointe. This forces your arches to go as high as they can. Now straighten up and try to maintain that degree of height in the demi pointe, as well as the rotation you can achieve in the plié. This works even better on pointe

[Danzatriz]

Thanks MsLeigh, that was helpful (putting the name on the picture). we actually do this in class often -both technique and pointe- but had no idea it had a name, plus "forced arch" sound a lot more painful than this, it's actually my favourite way to strech my feet (but thats probably because i don't know that many ways ).

[MyPointeIsDance]

Now I get it! What's funny is that I've done it many times, but never heard it called "forced arch."