What You'll Learn
- How to initiate turnout from the hip joint by rotating the femur head
- Techniques for a perfect développé devant with knee back and heel front positioning
- The corkscrew spiral method to elongate the leg and engage stabilizing muscles
- Active hip flexor stretches to increase range of motion and extension height
About This Video
Elevate your ballet technique with this specialized 19-minute class from Broche Ballet, designed to refine your extensions through targeted barre stretches. This session focuses specifically on devant (front) extensions, providing the technical foundation needed to achieve height, stability, and beautiful lines. At the heart of this lesson is the concept of the corkscrew spiral.
Many dancers struggle with extensions because they focus too much on the foot or the knee. In this class, you will learn how to initiate movement from the hip joint, specifically by rotating the femur head to maximize turnout. By maintaining a knee back, heel front alignment during your développé, you ensure that your turnout is functional and sustained throughout the entire movement.
Our instructor guides you through a series of exercises that challenge you to engage underused muscles. You will explore how to push the toe down while spiraling the calf upward as the leg extends. This dual action creates the necessary tension for a stable, high extension that looks effortless.
This class isn't just about flexibility; it is about the mechanics of how your body moves in space. Beyond the extension work, the class incorporates deep stretching to support your progress. You will learn how to properly stretch the hip flexors by engaging the glutes and tucking the hips, ensuring you aren't just sinking into the joint but actively lengthening the muscle.
Consistency is key when working on flexibility and range of motion. By integrating these barre stretches into your weekly routine, you will notice a significant difference in your ability to hold your leg in the front position without gripping the quadriceps. Understanding the relationship between the glutes and the hip flexors allows for a more fluid and artistic expression of movement.
This class is an excellent resource for any dancer looking to bridge the gap between simple stretching and the active strength required for professional-level extensions. Join us at Broche Ballet as we break down the complexities of ballet anatomy and help you achieve your goals.
