3.23. How can I learn to raise my leg over my shoulder, the way I see otherdancers doing?
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This article is from the Ballet and Modern Dance FAQ, by Tom Parsons twp@panix.com with numerous contributions by others.
3.23. How can I learn to raise my leg over my shoulder, the way I see otherdancers doing?
The ability to do this is known as "extension". It is partly a
matter of training (and turnout) and partly a matter of physique. Dancing
masters distinguish between two basic body types in dancers, known--in
French, inevitably--as "arqu'e" and "jarret'e". This distinction was
first drawn by Noverre (question 4.7), around 1760. The terminology is
misleading, because in French, "arqu'e" means bowlegged and "jarret'e"
knock-kneed. But although even dancers' legs are rarely perfectly
straight, the difference is actually functional: An "arqu'e" dancer is
tightly knit, doesn't have much extension, but is good at jumps, while a
"jarret'e" dancer is loose-limbed, not as good at jumps, but has great
extension. Noverre said it was a mistake to teach these two types of
dancer in exactly the same way.
If you are "arqu'e", you will probably never get your leg over your
head. But we can all improve our extension by proper exercise. Once you
have been taught stretching exercises in class, you can do them daily at
home, and you should. You will be surprised at how much more extension you
have after a year or two. Yoga exercises are also valuable; they stretch
muscles that even ballet class sometimes misses.
For an excellent summary of stretching exercises, including a
reading list, see the stretching FAQ by Brad Appleton, available from
http://www.enteract.com/~bradapp/docs/rec/stretching/
Note that Brad's sources all recommend holding a stretch for *at least*
fifteen seconds, to overcome the "stretch reflex." If they are right, then
stretches at the barre, as they are done in most ballet classes, are too
short; you should hold them longer when doing them at home.
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