Question about extentions in dance?

Question

I was wondering what can i do to help hold my extention in the air without using my hand. I can do my extentions really goo with holding on its just the ones where i dont hold on i need help with. ( i can only hold my leg up to a little bit over 90 degress without holding on)

Answer 1

I had exactly the same problem.  All you have to do is work on the strength side of things.  My ballet coach told me this exercise and its really effective and easy.

1. Face the barre (or kitchen worktop) and lift your leg onto it.

2. Next try to lift your leg a little higher so it off the bar.

3. Hold it for as long as you can and then relax  your leg positioning it back to the bar.

4. Then try again later but try to hold it for a little longer.

5. Try it with the leg in front as well

Answer 2

all i can say is keep practicing i know that in my ballet class, my friend jenifer allllways asked me how can i get my leg higher? and i always told her to practice practice practice!!! and you know what in 3 monthes she not only improved her kicks, and ability to hold your leg up by the thigh mustles, and turnout, but she also improved her confidace. so i hope you keep praceticing

Answer 3

I find that when my inner thigh muscles and my rotator muscles are strongest is when my extensions are effortless. So if you think about strengthening those muscle groups and continue to stretch (even in you don't feel the stretch, find ways to intensify the stretch, like i don't feel my splits anymore so i put my feet on a book so that I can go past 180 and feel the stretch, but be gentle and patient so nothing gets pulled).

A very helpful exercise: my ballet teacher gives us "drags": 1-tendu front turned out properly, 2- slowly lift your leg to 90 degrees (like in 8 counts), 3- for two counts try to get it up any higher that you can and then slowly drag it back down for the remaining 6 counts. It's important that you don't let your hip lift and that you don't turn your leg in. That way you're working the right muscles.

Repeat it on the next leg, then make sure you do it en croix, and that your legs stay turned out, it works both muscle groups for ya.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

just make sure that you keep on strengthening and stretching. but when you are holding your leg up (without your hand) you are using the right muscles! hope i helped =]

Answer 5

like to stretch? use a ballet bar or the back of a chair.

Answer 6

I once got extensions when i was all like tryin to look like beyonce. don worry they ain gon come out when u dancin because yalls rump shake most when u dance not yalls head

Answer 7

If you already have the flexibility then all you need to do is work on hip strength and getting your core stronger as well.

your hips hold the leg up and your core helps that but more importantly keeps you balanced and even.

stretching more will help your hips but doing exercises like second turns without turning will help you tremendously...

face the front and hold onto the bar behind you (no bar use a counter top or a higher chair) and when you plie your leg should be crossed in front of your supporting leg and then releve and open your suspended leg to second. repeat those over and over, but make sure its controlled. really hold your stomach and core in. don't let your leg flop or do a wish wash movement. Practice more on the side that your leg is going to extend on but try to work both legs. also as you feel yourself getting stronger with that try to lift your leg higher when it come out to second. you'll feel it working trust me.

and just keep working on holding your leg up and letting go and really fighting to keep it up. when you feel like you can't hold it any longer hold it for 10 more seconds. make sure you don't hunch over, stay very straight like you're trapped in between two boards.

Hope this really helps you hun

and good luck :)