Inner thighs cramping in the "fish" stretch

[Dream2Dance]

When I do the stretch where you lay down on your stomach then push your body up with your hands and try to touch your head to your feet. [some people call it fishy ] The backs of my legs [where the inner thighs are] cramp up!!! and it really hurts. Why is it cramping up? and what can I do to stop it.

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

Most likely your hamstrings cramping. Are you doing that position when not fully warmed up? If you have warmed up, the hamstrings should be stretched out enough to do it. But I would not worry a whole lot about it. Not all stretches work for everyone. I never did that one, and I don't teach it.

[Dream2Dance]

I only stretch when I'm fully warmed up now Thanks to this site! The real strange thing about this is that I used to be able to do this stretch when I was little and have my feet touch my forehead. The only way I can get my feet to touch my head now is by actually grabbing my feet in the position and pulling them towards my head. But I can't do it without my arms or my legs start cramping up.

 

Dream2Dance

[Clara 76]

Stop doing it, then!

[Mel Johnson]

This exercise, as you have noted, is popular in work for small children, but is not particularly useful for people with more adult proportions. You're too young to have nostalgia steps! The part of it that entails a push-up of the upper body is ok, as it provides a stretch for the front of the torso, but touching the toes to the head really does nothing I can think of that's helpful in ballet technique for the teen and older dancer.

[Dream2Dance]

This exercise, as you have noted, is popular in work for small children, but is not particularly useful for people with more adult proportions.

 

So the reason I can't do the stretch anymore is because of my proportions.... Do you know any other effective stretches I could substitute it for?

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

Why are you doing it in the first place? What are you trying to accomplish beyond what Mr. Johnson said above?

[Dream2Dance]

I am trying to improve my back flexibilty and strength because my ballet teacher told me I need to work on this aspect of my dancing that's why I have been doing the stretch. However I'm not going to do the fish stretch anymore because Mr. Johnson told me not to. I dont really know any other stretches for my back other than fishy and I thought it would be a good idea to ask here because I know I'll get safe stretches that wont injure me.

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

That's what cambrés are for, Dream.

[Clara 76]

Which part of your back is your teacher talking about, Dream? Your lumbar, thoracic, or cervical? Hopefully, you are dealing with a teacher who understands the difference, and one who understands growth spurts. Speaking as a teacher, I am curious as to what specifically your teacher means.....

[Mel Johnson]

I'm certainly grateful for the respect afforded my opinion on the relative usefulness of the "angel" exercise; I certainly join with my colleagues in supporting the cambré as THE best exercise for increasing the strength and flexibility of the back. I will reiterate the idea that the bend to the back stretches not the back, but rather the front(!), thereby allowing movement to the rear. Cambré forward provides a stretch to the back muscles and connective tissues, and affords relief from the ones to the back, which help with those tissues, but also builds strength.

[Dream2Dance]

Which part of your back is your teacher talking about, Dream? Your lumbar, thoracic, or cervical? Hopefully, you are dealing with a teacher who understands the difference, and one who understands growth spurts. Speaking as a teacher, I am curious as to what specifically your teacher means.....

 

 

The main problem with my back that I need to fix is the weakness in my lumber. My lumber part of my back is the most flexible [although not as much as it used to be] I can't control it in full port de bras or in a arabesque without difficulty :pinch I also have some trouble doing thoracic back bends, I keep using the lumber part of my back so I think this is the part of my back I need to gain flexibility in.

 

My mum told me that she thinks the reason why I have trouble with my lower back is because I have weak stomach muscles. could this be true?

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

Okay, the first problem is that you think you need more flexiblity in the lower back. Wrong. You need more strength in the lower back, which will be GREATLY aided by more strength in the abs. So, believe it or not, you Mom is right.

 

The stretch you were doing was not going to help you gain strength in the lower back. Sounds a whole lot to me like it's core strength you need. How about adding some Pilates? That would be good.

[Dream2Dance]

I should listen to my mum more Are there any DVD's or excercises you would recommend? I would like to go to a actual class but I dont think they offer Pilates classes here in town.

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

No. I don't believe in young dancers learning exercises from video. Talk to your teacher and maybe she will be able to help you with some specific exercises. Mainly you just need to work very hard in class to be sure that you understand correct alignment and what muscles to use to maintain your center.