What You'll Learn
- How to use deep breathing techniques to release muscle tension and deepen stretches
- Strategies for using upper body strength and wrist positioning to support the hips in middle splits
- Proper alignment techniques to ensure even sensation and safety across both legs
- Ways to incorporate yoga blocks and pillows for better support and spinal alignment
About This Video
Achieving a full middle split is a milestone for many dancers, but the journey involves more than just gravity. In this targeted practice from Broche Ballet, we explore the intricate relationship between hip mobility, breath control, and functional upper body engagement to help you reach your flexibility goals safely and effectively. Whether you are working toward flatter lines in your jumps or seeking deeper en dehors (turnout), this class provides the structural tools you need to progress.
We begin by centering the body and using the breath as a primary tool for relaxation. In ballet, tension is often the greatest barrier to flexibility. By focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing, you can signal your nervous system to release the muscles of the inner thighs and pelvic floor.
We will transition through various straddle stretches, emphasizing proper alignment to ensure an even sensation across both legs. One of the unique aspects of this tutorial is the focus on the upper body. To properly execute a middle split, a dancer must learn to use their chest, back, and arms to support their weight.
We discuss how to flip the hands and engage the wrists to hoist the torso, taking pressure off the joints and allowing the hips to open more freely. This integration of strength and stretch is what sets professional ballet training apart. Throughout the session, we utilize props like yoga blocks and pillows to make these challenging positions accessible.
These tools provide the necessary height to maintain a neutral spine and active alignment during deep hip openers. By the end of this practice, you will have a better understanding of how to listen to your body’s signals, modifying movements to suit your current level while steadily pushing the boundaries of your range of motion. Join Broche Ballet to refine your flexibility and enhance your dance technique.
