Arts >> Dance >> Ballet

How To Do Ballet Extensions

Having impressive leg extension is a highly sought after and labored for quality in a ballet dancer. Having tremendous leg extension is especially important when performing basic ballet moves such as an arabesque or a leap. A ballet move, such as a developpe, where the dancer slowly raises her leg up as high as she can, is a move that when practiced can enhance a dancer's extension. Practice on both legs and to all sides to evolve your extension throughout your leg muscles. Proper form must be maintained during these exercises and should not be sacrificed for height.

Things You'll Need

  • Ballet barre
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Stand at the ballet barre with your left hand resting on the barre and your feet in fifth position.

    • 2

      Bend the right knee slightly to the right, maintaining turnout in your feet, and raise the right foot slightly off the floor. Keep the right foot pointed with the right ankle crossing the left.

    • 3

      Increase the bend in the knee so the right leg is now in a pique, with the right foot pointed to the outside of the left knee.

    • 4

      Lift the right foot to the ceiling as you raise the entire leg higher. Lift the foot and leg, keeping your leg straight, feet turned out, back straight and hips tucked in until the foot and leg are as high as you can lift them while maintaining proper form. Hold them here as long as you can and then slowly lower them back to fifth position.

    • 5

      Repeat the developpe, and when your leg meets its comfortable limit, pulsate the leg slightly higher for as many repetitions as you can tolerate. Slowly lower the leg back to fifth position once completed.

    • 6

      Repeat the two exercises to the front and back with the right leg and to the side, front and back with the left leg.

+:
+:

Ballet

Related Categories