What You'll Learn
- How to use yoga blocks to 'bring the floor up' for better alignment and support.
- Techniques for squaring the hips to ensure an effective hip flexor stretch.
- Active stretching methods to engage the hamstrings and deepen your range of motion.
- Incorporating balletic port de bras to maintain posture and grace while stretching.
About This Video
Achieving a full split is a milestone for many dancers, yet it requires more than just gravity—it requires proper alignment, active engagement, and the right support. In this 10-minute follow-along class from Broche Ballet, we focus on the foundational elements of the front splits to help you build flexibility safely and effectively. This session is designed to meet you where you are in your flexibility journey. We highly recommend having a set of yoga blocks and a pillow nearby. Yoga blocks are a dancer's best friend for "bringing the floor up to you," allowing you to maintain an upright torso and square hips even if you aren't yet touching the ground. If you have sensitive knees, a pillow provides essential cushioning during deep lunges.
The class begins with a series of lunges designed to target the hip flexors. You will learn the importance of tucking the back toes to keep the hips square, ensuring that the stretch hits the right muscles rather than twisting the pelvis. We incorporate a graceful port de bras, moving through first and second positions to maintain the ballet aesthetic even during intense floor work. From the lunge, we transition into a half split. Here, the focus shifts to the hamstrings. You will learn to flex the front foot and hinge at the hips, pulling the hip back to maximize the stretch. We also explore active stretching techniques, such as pushing the heel into the floor to activate the hamstring before releasing deeper into the fold. You will even incorporate a spine-mobilizing movement similar to a grand plié to release tension.
As we move toward the full split, the instruction emphasizes pulling the hips together rather than letting them splay apart. This activation helps protect the joints and ensures a more effective stretch. Whether you are sliding into a full split or staying in a supported variation, this class provides the tools to explore intensity and find your edge. Consistency is key in ballet flexibility, and this short, focused routine is the perfect addition to your daily practice at Broche Ballet.
