Newly developed hyperextension?

[Guest sylphide*4ever]

Around last week, my teacher casually informed me that I was hyper-extended. I already knew that I was bow-legged, and I have developed stronger rotation to "compensate" for the bow legs. But, is it possible to develop hyper-extension suddenly? Also, could this indicate a sort of deformity in my bones, since I'm bow legged, hyper-extended and have slight problems with scoliosis?

 

Also, it is very interesting to feel my hyper-extended legs, especially in the supporting leg in arabesques and when I close into fifth position. For example, when lift my leg up to arabesque from tendu derriere, my supporting leg feels like it's "too" straight and the balance is a little odd. Add that to my bow-leggedness, and my arabesque line looks slightly awkward. When I close into fifth position from whatever, it feels like I can't straighten my knees completely.

 

What can I do to develop or improve both my hyper-extension and bow-leggedness? What are the advantages and disadvanges of those attributes? I have noticed that I have reasonably good jumps and balance. Thanks

 

Veronica

[Mel Johnson]

Sounds to me as if you have finally got everything limbered up to the point where your joints are able to make full travel, which is a good thing. Bow legs AND hyperextension? Lucky you! You'll have the advantages in extension and balance of the hyperextended dancer, and the jump and facility in petit allegro that comes with being arqué!

 

Don't let a small amount of scoliosis worry you. These things are minor variations in bone formation, and as long as they don't hurt, and I mean pain, they're really not worry material.

 

Using the legs correctly will make the out-of-straightness less apparent, and also be safer for you. Working on the rotation is correct, as you are already doing, and you've already noticed there's such a thing as TOO straight. So, don't let the knees of the supporting leg(s) lock back. Relax the knee until it appears straight, then hold that amount of travel. It may feel like you're working on loose legs, but you can train yourself so that you are secure. This will call for a lot of coordination with your teacher, but I'm sure you can work it out with him/her. You'll need an eye outside yourself to keep reminding you of where "straight" is!

[Guest sylphide*4ever]

Thank you so much~!! I was worrying about that for a couple of days... that's why I come to Ballet Alert with my concerns~!!

 

Veronica