What You'll Learn
- Techniques to relax the hips and lower back for deeper stretching
- How to integrate hamstring and hip flexor extension for a squared split
- The importance of pelvic alignment and weight distribution in flexibility
- Using the glute and rib cage to support posture and deepen the stretch
- Effective use of props like yoga blocks to maintain form during stretches
About This Video
Achieving a beautiful, flat split is a goal for many dancers, but the journey involves more than just pushing through pain. In this 22-minute Flexibility Flow from Broche Ballet, we take a yoga-inspired approach to opening the body. This class is specifically designed to help you master the splits by focusing on relaxation rather than force.
By allowing your hips and lower back to release tension, you create the space necessary for deeper extension without the risk of injury. The session guides you through a sequence of lunges and twists, meticulously targeting the hamstrings and hip flexors. You will learn that the secret to a successful split lies in three main components: hamstring extension, hip flexor extension, and lower back relaxation.
Working these elements in harmony is crucial for a square and healthy alignment. We emphasize the importance of sitting upright and placing your full weight directly over your pelvis. This alignment allows gravity to assist the stretch naturally, helping you reach your goals faster than traditional methods.
Throughout the practice, the instructor provides cues to engage your glutes and lift your rib cage. Squeezing the glute helps stabilize the hips and protects the lower back, while a lifted rib cage maintains core engagement and professional ballet posture. We recommend having yoga blocks, pillows, or cushions nearby to support your body in a half-split or lunge, ensuring that you can maintain proper form even if you haven't reached full depth yet.
Whether you are working toward a better arabesque or looking to improve your grand jeté, this flexibility flow offers the tools you need. By the end of the class, you will have a better understanding of how to use your breath to melt into stretches, leaving your body feeling open and rejuvenated. Join us at Broche Ballet to transform your flexibility and find ease in every movement.
