dancergirl39 Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Hi, I started a 5 day a week intensive ballet program last year and it was going really well. I always worked really hard to look as good as I could and similar to the older apprentices to the company. I also noticed changes in my body. My thighs had gained muscle and they jut out from my leg. I thought it was from "lifting" my leg in extensions,, but I know thats not true because a teacher looked at it and told me I was doing it correctly. Then, I thought it was from pulling up my knees to much because I struggled with not having hyperextended legs like the girls I wanted to look like. After years (well maybe more like 1.5) I think I've come to a conclusion as to why my thighs are overdevleoped. I had been holding my turnout with them! I didn;t realize it because I thought I was using all of my turnout muscles and thats just what it felt like. Now, I know that my hips actually do not open very far and I have horrible natural turnout So, now that I am working it out correctly, what can I do to help this problem and prevent getting into bad habits? Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 You're in the right neighborhood, and the thighs certainly help somewhat in supporting rotation of the femur, but the real rotation is from the hip, and the workhorses there are the glutes, the iliotibial band and the lower abs, the ones below the navel. Quote Link to comment
L' Allegro Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 I also have poor turnout, how can I better gain control over those muscles? Quote Link to comment
PinkSpaghettiShoes Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 I aso have another question.... I have quite good turnout at the hips , and I use all the muscles in my thighs and bum as much as I can to improve this further, however despite this turnout and trying I cannot turn the rest of my legs out from the knee down . To prevent injury I do not overturn out my feet 'cause I don't want my knees getting busted. What can I do? (I hope this makes sense. ) Anne xxx Quote Link to comment
balletbum74 Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 I think I've come to a conclusion as to why my thighs are overdevleoped. I had been holding my turnout with them! I didn;t realize it because I thought I was using all of my turnout muscles and thats just what it felt like. Now, I know that my hips actually do not open very far and I have horrible natural turnout So, now that I am working it out correctly, what can I do to help this problem and prevent getting into bad habits? I think the same problem! I realized this when one of my teachers recently corrected me on a tendu derriere. How can I decrease my thighs as well as increase turnout? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted October 15, 2006 Administrators Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 PinkSpaghettiShoes, it sounds to me like you might have a bit of tibial torsion in your legs. That is where the lower leg does not turn out as well because the bone is curved outward from the knee down. The only way to work with this is to correct the placement of the leg to where you can make it look turned out in the lower half, even if it is not using all that you have from the hip. balletbum, increasing rotation is learning to work the right muscles, in the right alignment, and using what you have to your best ability all the time. You can help with additional stretching when warmed up, but the main work is done at the barre. I cannot answer the part about decreasing the thighs. Quote Link to comment
Rhapsody Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Knock, knock: Ms. Leigh, Is tibial torsion the same thing as bowed legs? Quote Link to comment
PinkSpaghettiShoes Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 The only way to work with this is to correct the placement of the leg to where you can make it look turned out in the lower half, even if it is not using all that you have from the hip. So turn out my feet as much as possible to make them look good even if it isn't as turned out as my hips can be? Thanks, Anne Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted October 16, 2006 Administrators Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 No, Anne, you do NOT turn out your FEET!!! You PLACE your leg where you can see the rotation of the lower leg, which may mean that it is somewhat forward of what you would consider side in terms of the place where you can rotate from the hips. Try tendu side, with the best rotation you have from the hips. Study the lower leg. Is it rotated? If not, then move the leg forward slightly and see if you can make the whole leg, including the lower half, look like it is supposed to look. When you find that place, that is where you will have to work. Quote Link to comment
PinkSpaghettiShoes Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Ahh! It makes sense now. Thanks Ms Leigh! Anne Quote Link to comment
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