What You'll Learn
- Techniques to increase leg height in à la seconde extensions
- Targeted stretches for hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors
- How to maintain core engagement during port de bras and extensions
- The importance of counter-stretching for muscle recovery and balance
About This Video
Unlock your potential for higher, more effortless extensions with this targeted 20-minute classic barre stretch session from Broche Ballet. High leg extensions, particularly in à la seconde, require more than just raw flexibility; they demand a combination of strength, proper alignment, and intelligent stretching of specific muscle groups. In this video, Julie guides you through a comprehensive routine designed to open up your hips and lengthen your lines.
The session begins with a gentle warm-up to prepare the body for deeper work. You will progress through essential ballet stretches, including retiré pulses and calf-to-hamstring lifts, which are crucial for developing the range of motion needed for beautiful développés. Julie emphasizes the importance of core engagement throughout movements like port de bras, ensuring that your upper body remains stable and graceful while your legs work.
One of the highlights of this practice is the focus on the hip flexors and hamstrings. By utilizing the barre—or even a sturdy household item—you can achieve deeper, more supported stretches than on the floor alone. This helps in achieving that elusive height in à la seconde positions.
The class also covers modified lunges and calf stretches, addressing the tightness that often limits a dancer’s mobility. Beyond just stretching, this video teaches you the value of counter-stretching and active recovery. After intense work on your extensions, it is vital to balance the body to prevent injury and maintain muscle health.
Whether you are an intermediate dancer looking to refine your technique or an advanced student pushing for that extra inch of height, these exercises provide the tools you need. Broche Ballet is dedicated to making high-level ballet instruction accessible, and this focused stretching routine is a perfect addition to your daily practice. Learn how to breathe through the tension and find ease in your extensions today.
