What You'll Learn
- How to plant the femur head to properly engage the quads and inner thighs for a straighter leg.
- The 'fight yourself' technique to achieve maximum leg length and the illusion of height.
- Critical alignment cues for maintaining turnout and knee positioning during développé en croix.
- Strategies for slowing down extensions to build superior control and muscle memory.
About This Video
Achieving a beautiful, long line in ballet requires more than just flexibility; it requires a deep understanding of how to engage the muscles of the leg to fully straighten the knee. In this 46-minute Technique Barre class from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of leg extensions and knee alignment. Many dancers struggle with 'soft' knees in their extensions, which can break the line and decrease the perceived height of the leg.
This class provides the technical tools needed to correct alignment and create stunning lines. The core of this lesson focuses on the relationship between the femur head and the muscles of the quadriceps and inner thigh. By learning how to properly 'plant' the femur head into the hip socket, you create a stable base that allows for a more powerful and controlled stretch through the rest of the leg.
This technique is essential for fundamental movements like tendu and more complex sequences like développé en croix, where maintaining turnout and a straight knee is paramount. Our instructor guides you through the unique concept of 'fighting yourself'—a mental and physical cue to continue stretching the leg even when it feels like you have reached your physical limit. It is this internal resistance and active engagement that creates the illusion of a longer, higher extension.
You will learn how to hold your turnout while keeping the knee back, ensuring that every movement is executed with precision and grace. Throughout the class, we will practice slowing down our extensions to build endurance. By taking the time to reach the end of the movement while maintaining perfect alignment, you build the functional strength necessary for professional-level control.
Whether you are working on your arabesque or perfecting a dégagé, the principles of knee engagement and femur placement taught here will transform your dancing. Join Broche Ballet for this comprehensive barre session and start building the strong, beautiful legs you have always wanted.
