how do i get a higher arabesque???
2007-03-24 03:43:20 · 5 answers · asked by jessi 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
"There are 2 things you need to have a beautiful arabesque. The first is you need the flexibility at the hip joint, especially with the iliopsoas muscle, in order to lift your leg easily into extension. The second thing you need is strength in the extensors of the back to keep the back straighter. ..
With the help of another dancer, try rounding down as if you were going to touch your toes. Only go about halfway, and bend your knees to take the strain off the hamstrings. Have the other dancer look at the shape of your spine as you are folded over. Is it in a C shape? Or perhaps is the area between your shoulder blades flatter, which would indicate muscular tightness in that area. Sometimes you can see the spinous processes of the vertebrae, which are the bumps along the spine. If you can see them easily, and then all of a sudden they seem to disappear, you can again suspect some muscular tightness.
Use the pinkie ball against the wall in these areas as has been described in previous newsletters. (You could also check out my Ballwork: Releasing Muscular Tension DVD) After working to release the tension, watch your alignment outside of class. Do you have a tendency to slump at the desk or computer? If so, you may want to work to strengthen that area of the back. Even hanging out over a large physioball in a back arch will feel great and counter the tendency towards slumping."
I would also recommend to stretch every day.
2007-03-24 03:51:21 · answer #1 · answered by Flyinghorse 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stretch your back more; that's the main element of an arabesque. Try to look back at your foot behind you and don't forget to rotate your knee to the side, keep your heel down, keep your chest up, and straighten both legs all the way! (I take private lessons with a Russian ballet instructor, and I am reminded of these lovely elements quite frequently) Good luck!!
2007-03-24 14:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by hpink 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get into a deeper split. and just sit in ur right of left leg split for a while.u may also want to try doing a handstand but thenact like ur coming down but keep one foot in the air. i no thats seems weird but it helped me. u could also do and arabesque and then put ur foot on a wall and try to raise ur foot on the wall.
2007-03-24 03:53:28 · answer #3 · answered by cutie123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem as you!
I recommend doing stretches to enhance the flexability of your back.
2007-03-25 09:04:34 · answer #4 · answered by isingsoftly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stretch and work out your leg and back muscels
2007-03-27 14:37:31 · answer #5 · answered by DKB_BABY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋