What You'll Learn
- Correct femur head placement to unlock higher leg extensions
- How to maintain a neutral pelvis and avoid tucking during stretches
- Techniques for improving balance and stability while in plié
- The relationship between turnout and hip mobility in à la seconde
About This Video
In this technical ballet class from Broche Ballet, we explore the intricate mechanics of hip strength and alignment necessary for high, stable extensions. Many dancers struggle with leg height, particularly in à la seconde, because they inadvertently fight against their own skeletal anatomy. This session focuses on the why behind the movement, specifically examining femur bone placement within the pelvis to achieve optimal results.
We begin our practice at the barre, utilizing it as a foundational tool to explore your current range of motion. You will learn why keeping your femurs properly aligned—rather than letting them drift or shift out of the socket—is the technical secret to unlocking greater height and stability. Throughout the video, the instructor guides you through a series of foundational exercises, including plié, tendu, and dégagé, with a specific emphasis on the sensation of the femur head rotating within the hip socket.
A significant portion of the class is dedicated to correcting common alignment errors. One of the most frequent mistakes in extensions is the tendency to tuck the pelvis under to gain a few extra inches of height. While this might feel like it releases tension in the moment, it ultimately compromises your core stability and prevents a true deep stretch.
We will practice maintaining a neutral pelvis and using your turnout to change how the femur head sits in space. This subtle anatomical shift allows the foot to travel higher and more freely without the pinching sensation many dancers experience in the hip. Furthermore, we delve into the nuances of the frappé and its relationship to extension power.
By focusing on the knee back, heel under cue, you will build the specific muscular engagement required for fast, sharp leg movements. Finally, we work on the challenge of finding balance in plié. You will discover how the placement of the foot—directly under the hip rather than behind it—creates a stable base for the rest of the body.
