Ballet Exercises - Core Muscles

by Amelia
(Nowra,NSW,Australia)

Ballet Exercises - Core Muscles

Homework Help. I have to write a piece on how the core muscles help the dancers stability and strength during a performance, and how this can help to perform the dance so that limitation, capabilities and prevention of injury are in consideration.
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Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Exercises - Core Muscles

Hello Amelia,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear from you.

Core strength is essential for every dancer. The core strength comes from your abdominal muscles and it is important because it helps with your general strength, balance and stability as a dancer.

Core muscles are vital especially during a performance, as dancers want to be as steady as possible on the stage, so by having a strong stability will give dancers the support they need to give a faultless performance. When dancers get onto stage the nerves kick in and by having a strong core will give them the 'backup' they need to ensure that those nerves affect their dancing. It will give dancers more confidence on stage if they know they have strong core muscles, as they know they will have the strength to control each movement.

Have a look at abs workout to find more information on core strength.

This is an interesting topic which is worth studying further. Please let me know what else you learn about the core muscles, I would be highly intrigued!

All the best,

Odette

Ballet Exercises - Sway Back Legs

by lisa
(england)

Ballet Exercises - Sway Back Legs

Hi, can you tell me what my ballet teacher means when she says that i have swayed back legs and is this a bad thing?


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Ballet Exercises - Sway Back Legs

Reply by Odette

Hello,

Thank you for contacting me, it is a pleasure to hear from you.

The secret to success is mental discipline as well as physical ability. I can give you the information that you need to progress to the next level. Along with the three physical secrets, the Seven Secrets, on the 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page, will give you the key answers of how to thrive in the ballet world.

Sway back legs is a common element for many dancers. It is when your leg muscles have extra flexibility and go beyond the usual alignment of a straight leg. It is nothing to worry about, but something you can learn how to control and manage.

Hyper extensions can also be referred to as 'sway backs' and I also had these as a dancer. It took a while for me to learn how to manage my sway backs, yet I learnt to not 'sit back' into my hyper extensions so I began to build strength.

Sway backs are an aspect that can very much complement a dancer's lines once you learn how to control them. You just need some extra time and focus to build the strength in your legs. I advise you to always think about lifting up and out of your legs, so that you never lock back or sit into your sway backs.

Your ballet teacher should be able to guide you so you can begin to feel what it is like to control your hyper extensions. My advise to focus on building the stability in your legs so you have a balance between her flexibility and strength.

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Exercises - Lengthened Leg Muscles

by Valerie
(Georgia)

Ballet Exercises - Lengthened Leg Muscles

Hi Odette,
I am a former ballet dancer, and after many years of not dancing and having children I have gained weight. My legs do not even resemble the legs that I had when I was dancing 6 days a week, but I am hoping that muscle memory might be in my favor. Do you think barre exercises will help to shrink and lenghten my calve muscles? If you have any other suggestions, that would be wonderful! Thank you, Valerie

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Ballet Exercises - Lengthened Leg Muscles

Reply by Odette

Hello Valerie,

Thank you for contacting me. How intriguing to hear you are a former ballet dancer, it is a pleasure to hear from you.

I understand after years of not dancing, it is natural to loose the look of dancer's leg. Yet they were there once, so you can get them back!

I definitely agree that muscle memory will be in your favor. I expect your legs have just lost the tone and length that dancing kept in shape, but if you begin to work the muscles again I expect you will start to see a difference.

I think it is a great idea to do barre exercises, as this is what your body is familiar to so your muscles should begin to work and gradually tone up the legs.

I suggest you to keep stretching too, as this can lengthen out and prevent bulk in the muscles.

Try some aerobic exercises, swimming is particularly good at toning the body, and combine exercise to achieve the length and tone throughout your body.

Please do keep in touch.

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Exercises - Improve Everything?

by Tristin
(Oklahoma)

Ballet Exercises - Improve Everything?

What exercises can I do at home to improve pretty much everything?

How can I improve my balance, strength, core muscles, kicks, technique?

Do you recommend any dvds, books, or websites?

Thank you, Tristin

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Reply by Odette

To:- Career Development Plan - Should I Switch Studios? (Part 2)

Hello Tristin,

Thank you for your query, how great that I keep coming across you, it is lovely to hear from you.

I find pilates very beneficial when it comes to targeting and toning everything in the body. It is also a popular choice with many ballet dancers.

Pilates is all about core strength which is very similar to ballet. Ballet movements all begin in the core so if you focus on strengthening your core stability, you will find everything else will improve too. The core strength comes from your abdominal muscles and it's important because it helps with your general strength, balance and stability as a dancer.

I love your ambition and real eagerness to improve, this is very encouraging Tristin. Keep working hard and listening to your corrections, your work ethic will take you far.

Keep in touch.

All the best,

Odette

Ballet Exercises - Learning Ballet at Home

Ballet Exercises - Learning Ballet at Home

Do i need a teacher to learn ballet or can i accomplish as much on my own with videos and books?

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Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Exercises - Learning Ballet at Home

Hello,

Thank you for your query, it is great to hear from you!

Although it can be very beneficial to use videos and books, as you can accomplish a lot by doing independent research. However, ballet dancing does have a very particular technique which would need to be taught by a proper teacher to do correctly.

Teachers are very helpful especially when beginning ballet, as you can be sure they will guide you and give you corrections which will let you progress through the basics of ballet.

In order to use best advantage of your skills, I would definitely advise you to have a teacher to learn ballet.

All the best,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page