How can I improve my developpe in ballet ?

Question

For some reason, although I am extremely flexible, I can not manage to get a very high developpe. The highest I can go is just above waist height. I really want to improve it because the standard at my dance school is very high and there's a lot of pressure being put on me to improve my developpe (my teacher says that everything else is perfect & I just need to improve my developpe).

PS. I mean my developpe to second. My developpe devong & derriere is fine.

PPS. I must repeat that this is not a flexibility problem.

PPPS. Is there a way I can improve it in a short space of time (because although I have a break today, I have classes on Monday) ?

PPPPS. Thank you.

Answer 1

Remember that extension of the leg actually comes from the standing leg. Concentrate more on lengthening your supporting leg as you lift the working leg to passe' then high attitude then extend from there. If your standing leg starts to "buckle" or bend then the weight of your working leg starts to transfer to your quad muscle and thats what tends to get in the way of the height of the leg. Also remember that the "stretch" of the working leg must be completed all the way through to the toes at the end of the developpe' so that you are engaging the longer muscles in the back of the leg.

Answer 2

Okay well there are a couple of things that you should do.

1 because your side extension is the weakest, that is the one you should be practicing the most.

2 especially to the side, think of lifting your foot, not your leg higher, because your foot is lighter than your entire leg

3 since muscle not flexability is ur issue, practice leg lifts often... there are other excercizes that you can do to strengthen these muscles

4 practice ur side extension after, before class, or in ur spare time and try to hold it just at 90 degrees for increments of 30 seconds to strengthen the muscles needed for a good extension

Answer 3

This is what I do, and so far it has helped me.

1) Find a high place where you can place your leg on the top

2) Developpe up and try get your foot on the top of the surface

3) Try lift your foot higher than the top of the surface

4) Hold it there for 5 seconds

5) Repeat steps going higher and higher until your Developpe is perfect.

Hint: Start down low at first, maybe a table or the back of a chair. Than go higher.

Hope This Helps

Answer 4

i had the EXACT same problem a month ago!!!

My friend said to stand in a door way and devloppe in to second and just push your foot up the door way

it helped me alot and now i can go reall high

good luck!!

Answer 5

Well try doing exercises that improves your abdominal muscles,like sit ups, to make it easier for you to raise your leg higher and to sustain the height of your legs:)

hope i helped:)