What You'll Learn
- A simple test to identify hyperextension in your own legs
- How hyperextension creates the illusion of a bent knee in 5th position
- Techniques to stabilize the kneecap when standing on one leg
- How to release the knee joint during tendu transitions for better alignment
About This Video
Understanding your body's unique anatomy is a crucial step in your ballet journey. One common trait among many dancers is hyperextension—the ability of the knee joint to extend beyond a straight line. While often prized for creating beautiful, long lines, hyperextension requires specific technical adjustments to ensure stability and proper alignment, especially in closed positions like 5th position.
In this Broche Ballet quicktip, we dive into the mechanics of hyperextended knees and how they impact your dancing. The first step is identifying if you have hyperextension. You can perform a simple check at the barre: stand with your heels together and try to straighten your legs completely.
If your knees push back beyond a vertical line, you are working with hyperextension. While this provides a lovely silhouette in profile, it can create a 'bent' appearance when you are standing in 3rd or 5th position. Because the legs are overlapping, the back knee can push into the front leg, making the front leg look as though it isn't fully straight.
Furthermore, hyperextension affects your transitions. When performing a tendu, your leg moves from a closed position to an extended one. As you return the foot and attempt to fully straighten the leg, the knee joint may actually need to 'release' or bend slightly to maintain a neutral, stacked alignment rather than snapping back into a locked, overextended state.
This adjustment prevents the kneecap from wobbling and ensures you are using your muscles, rather than your joints, for support. At Broche Ballet, we believe that every body type can achieve grace and strength. Learning to manage hyperextension is about more than just aesthetics; it is about protecting your joints and building a functional technique that lasts.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, mastering these small alignment cues will significantly improve your stability on one leg and the overall precision of your footwork.
