10-Minute Nutcracker Hip & Hamstring Ballet Stretch Follow-along

Enhance your ballet facility and lower body flexibility with this focused 10-minute hip and hamstring stretch class. Set to the enchanting and festive melodies of The Nutcracker, this follow-along session from Broche Ballet is designed to help you release tension and increase your range of motion in a relaxing, musical environment. Whether you are finishing a rigorous barre session or looking for a restorative cool-down, these exercises are essential for any dancer aiming to improve their turnout and overall alignment.

The class begins in a foundational butterfly position. This opening stretch focuses on the hips by keeping the soles of the feet together and drawing the knees outward. To ensure proper alignment and safety, we emphasize keeping the belly button reaching toward the ground while pulling the elbows back and keeping the chest wide and forward.

This prevents rounding of the spine and ensures the stretch is felt deep within the hip socket. For dancers needing additional support, we recommend using cushions or pillows under the knees. As we transition, we incorporate the coup de pied position to move into more targeted hamstring and quadriceps work.

By extending one leg and maintaining a flexed foot, you will learn to actively engage the quadriceps—pulling the kneecap up and making the muscle firm—to facilitate a deeper, safer stretch in the opposing hamstring. Pushing the heel into the ground provides an additional isometric engagement that helps release the muscle fibers more effectively. Throughout the session, we explore deep undulations and extensions to find fluidity in your movement.

Proper breathing is key; as you exhale, you will reach further down the leg while maintaining a broad chest. This mindful approach to stretching, combined with the iconic score, allows for a meditative yet highly productive session that will leave you feeling lengthened and ready for your next center practice.