What You'll Learn
- Identify and release specific areas of tension in the inner thighs and hip flexors.
- Utilize breath and visualization to create space in the hip joints for better turnout.
- Effective use of yoga blocks and pillows to support alignment and safety during deep stretches.
- How to navigate asymmetrical flexibility and manage discomfort without pushing past limits.
- Strategies for relaxing the nervous system to achieve a deeper, more sustainable middle split.
About This Video
Achieve a greater range of motion and improved turnout with our dedicated guide to middle splits and straddle stretches. In this specialized class from Broche Ballet, we move beyond simply pushing into a stretch. Instead, we focus on the somatic experience of flexibility, teaching you how to communicate with your body to release deep-seated tension in the hips and inner thighs. Stretching for ballet requires more than just raw effort; it requires a mindful connection to where your body feels restricted. Throughout this session, we will explore the underlying causes of tightness. By identifying specific areas of discomfort, you can begin to visualize creating space within the joint and the surrounding musculature. This approach is essential for achieving a clean second position and improving your overall leg lines in movements like dégagé and grand plié.
We utilize tools such as yoga blocks and pillows to meet your body exactly where it is today. These props provide the necessary support to allow your nervous system to relax, which is the secret to unlocking true flexibility. You will learn to notice the subtle differences between your right and left sides, practicing self-compassion as you work through different angles and positions to find comfort. The session emphasizes breathing techniques that synchronize with your movements. As you inhale, you will learn to acknowledge the sensation of a deep stretch, and as you exhale, you will practice the art of letting go, allowing your legs to settle further into the straddle without force. This mindful practice helps prevent injury and ensures that your progress is sustainable over time. Whether you are working toward your full middle splits for the first time or looking to refine your facility for advanced adagio work, this class provides the anatomical tools and mental cues you need to succeed. Focus on your own progress and enjoy the journey toward a more flexible, open body with Broche Ballet.
