Second positon en l'air

[Dream2Dance]

I have been working on holding my leg in second position enlair at the barre and I am now able to lift my working leg to the side of me with decent turn out coming from my suporting and working leg. But I can only manage this at the barre. I've checked my alignment and it seems to be okay, and I'm not placing too much weight on the barre either. However when I atempt the same position in the centre I struggle to mainain it! my legs actually shake from the effort and I can't lift my working leg off the ground further than 45 degrees! otherwise I lose my placement and rotation. How do I fix this?

 

Dream2Dance

[vrsfanatic]

It actually sounds as if the stuggle in the centre is what you need to go through. It is difficult to advise without seeing you however since there are different ideas as what is the correct placement of the body and leg when the working leg is attaining the direction side with a turned out working leg. Could you give a bit more information such as where are you is direction side and is your working heel facing the mirror or the ceiling?

[Dream2Dance]

I am standing on my right leg with the heel of my foot facing almost directly to the mirror; my working leg en lair at just below 90 degrees is almost directly to the side of me with my heel facing the mirror. I am making sure that I am not sinking into my hips and that they are square to the front. When I try to assume the same position in the centre it is really difficult to maintain my stance and I can't lift my working leg any higher than 45 degrees without sacrificing my turn out.

 

Dream2Dance

[vrsfanatic]

It may be that you are actually pushing your working hip down causing your working leg to drop rather than lift lightly upward. Since this is not how I teach direction to the side, perhaps another teacher moderator can help you.

[Hans]

Are you sure you are not standing with too much weight on your supporting heel? When you stand at the barre, is your arm fully relaxed or are you pushing down or otherwise clenching the barre? When you say you cannot lift your leg any higher in the center without sacrificing turnout, do you mean the supporting leg, working leg, or both?

[Dream2Dance]

I'm not clenching the barre, I think I'm slightly pushing down on the barre though. I am trying really hard to keep my weight on the ball of my supporting foot because when I don't my supporting leg bends backwards and sends my weight to my heels. When this happens I feel as if I'm going to fall over!

When I bring my leg higher my supporting leg is usually the first to lose turn out; but my working leg has a tendency to roll in slightly as well

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

It sounds to me like you are hyperextended, and trying very hard to not push back into that hyperextension. Sometimes when young dancers are trying to control this problem they let the thigh and glute relax a bit, and then there is not strength to hold the rotation.

Or, it is also possible that you are trying to hold too much rotation for your ability at the moment, either with your standing leg or your working leg...or both.

[Dream2Dance]

I think I am hyperextended. My Mum and sister have the same sort of legs as me but they call it "swayback knees?" When I sit on the floor with straight knees my heels pop up a few centimetres.

 

Dream2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

Check to be very sure you are lifted up and forward, keeping yourself from going back into your heels, but still using your quad and glute muscles for strength.

[Dream2Dance]

Thankyou Miss Leigh I have just tried this and it seems to be helping! I can balance in my position now! It is still a little difficult but I think I just need to practice.

 

Thanks again!

 

Dream2Dance