cbc_dancer Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 I have gotten to the point where I cannot stand to do adagio in class [both at the barre and at the center] and I get so frustrated. I am fairly flexible but I just cannot do a develope to the front, side, or back. HELP! Any advice on how to get stronger and lift my leg really high correctly? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted June 16, 2008 Administrators Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Strength is sometimes a bit later than flexibility to develop in some dancers. If the ability is there to get the legs up, with good placement and rotation, then the strength to get it there with a développé will come as you mature physically. If you are still only 13 or 14, it may take another year or two. It also depends a lot on how many classes you take and how correctly you are taught. You might try adding some Pilates or Gyrotonics classes to try and speed up the process a little bit. Quote Link to comment
London Dancer Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 My teacher told me an excersize that can help is the hand and foot stretch, then releasing your leg at its highest point and trying to hold it there. It builds strength, and has worked well for me. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted June 22, 2008 Administrators Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 That is a good stretch.....IF it is done correctly, which it almost never is. One needs to first of all be advanced enough to do it, and have already enough flexibility to be able to straighten the leg while holding the heel. Then one needs to learn how to maintain placement while doing it, and especially not to roll the supporting knee when straightening out of the plié and carrying the leg to the side. Doing it seriously distorted, as most people do, is useless and does nothing for the type of stretch one needs to do a développé correctly, as of course one cannot be distorted when doing that. Quote Link to comment
ballet_lover5678 Posted July 12, 2008 Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 I'm pretty sure (a moderator can correct me on this if I'm not) that to the front especially you need your abs and core strength to help at least hold your leg up there. Quote Link to comment
miss ashley Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 I have gotten to the point where I cannot stand to do adagio in class [both at the barre and at the center] and I get so frustrated. I am fairly flexible but I just cannot do a develope to the front, side, or back. HELP! Any advice on how to get stronger and lift my leg really high correctly? go on the floor and try to do developes. lift your knee as high as you can, then extend. you can use your hands to make your leg go higher. just have your placement right at all times. do some rond de jambe en'lairs from front to side. for the developes to the back: lay on your stomach. put your leg in arabesque and attitude. then try to get your foot over on the opposite side of you. Aim for the area next to your shoulder. you should ask someone to help you put your leg there. hold it. when i did these, especially the ones to the back, my arabesques changed incredibly. when i face the mirror now, i can see my foot above my head. good luck! Quote Link to comment
Grishkorina Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 ^^ that is kind of like what I do I lay on my back. Then, I develope a leg up to my head without using my hands. I lower the leg back down to the floor, but I don't let it touch the floor. Then, I repeat the develope. Quote Link to comment
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