Elena does indeed have crazy hyper-extension in her legs! Good thing she is working with excellent teachers to help her manage that flexible body. Great tips as usual, Claudia!
Thank you so much for this video! I will be sure to use these tips at summer intensives. I have a video request for grand rond de jaumbes (en l'air). I am having trouble keeping the height of my leg from side to back. Xo
Congratulations on another well illustrated training video x These are great tips for dancers at all levels of training and for those returning from a break or time off with injury.
Another fantastic tutorial as usual, Claudia! I mostly practice at home & just do everything standing - I don't have a barre or anything like that. Thanks again!!
Thank you so much! have you done a video on stag/calypso leaps? :) if no, it'll be greatly appreciated. I wanted do do ballet, but I want to do lyrical/contemporary now, but these videos have helped me so much!
Loved this so much and got a lot from it. I would really appreciate a video on the placement of an attitude as I have never quite felt like I fully understand exactly how it should look. Also promenades in attitude en dehors and en dedans as I have to do both in my upcoming show! Thanks :)
Thank you so much Miss Claudia! I love these videos! Would these corrections be useful for grand battements in the centre too? I really struggle with those at the moment... My legs end up bending and wobbling and being imperfect! 🌸💕
Dear Claudia, I think your tutorials are amazing. Thank you for making professional level technique available to everyone. I'd love if you could take the time to answer my (technical) question. I'm RAD trained. Even in the major syllabi we were taught that transfer of weight to the supporting leg occurred during the tendu instead of before it and as a result of floor pressure from the working foot. Yet in your tutorial and all the professional classes I've watched online -the dancers transfer the weight first. It seems a far more sensible approach but it goes against all of my training so far. So, why the discrepancy in training methods? is this a further development of the technique i was taught? a different approach altogether? Is it a cheat? I'd be delighted to have this mystery cleared up.
Can you possibly do a video on how to improve (get a higher) fankick (I think it's called a randejean in ballet, don't know if that's how it's spelled though. . .)
Lubrano Lisa - The long legs, arms, and neck are an absolute required attribute to developed into a professional, or amateur, Prima Ballet Performer! Otherwise, they are just spinning their wheels and having fun!
Pete Totaro, that is most definitely true. As a ballet student in the states, I still try to maintain a weight within Vaganova is weight chart. As Russian ballerinas stand out with their stunning extensions and lines. Pete may I ask your connection to the ballet world? I see you often watch Vaganova is clips.
N/A N/A Hello, first let say thank you for helping all to understand the necessary body attributes to really become a successful Prima ballet dancer, etc. My connection to Vaganova Ballet Academy is primarily the wonderful memories of my most beautiful daughter learning ballet here in the states. After seeing many ballet sites in UA-cam, VBA just caught my interest in how the teachers and staff have perfected the art of training the most successful ballet dancers world wide! I love see the students at VBA progress over the years.
Pete Totaro. That's wonderful. I wish my dad understood ballet more. I'd like to someday be a principal with the Royal ballet in London. Because Russian companies rely heavily on students from their schools, (For good reason too). However Russian ballet continues to mesmerize me. My idol is Natalie Osipova, because she's Russian trained and had a nice career there before bringing her assets to the Royal Ballet. However Svetlana, and the sweet Diana Vishneva I look up to.
I have a question about feet if any ballet dancers would be happy to weigh in, I've been dancing for 5 years and pointe for 3, I stretch my feet everyday (properly there's nothing wrong with my technique) and they just don't seem to improve flexibility wise, and my question is: Is it possible that I just have very straight feet and I've reached my limit? Because I feel a jamming and clunking around at the back of my heel when I point and stretch, same goes for my turnout, splits in 2nd, arabesque and arms, they don't improve. I know I have HMS and forward facing hips (limited range of motion). It's so frustrating because I can't stand turned out, mound in 2nd or releve to pointe in second properly, I'm strong, flexible, dedicated and have years of technique and experience under my belt, but it doesn't show.
Hi. I struggled a lot with flexibility and it took me years to find ways that worked for me. Even my physio couldn't believe how easily I seemed to 'lose' flexibility. But there were underlying reasons for everything just as there will be genuine underlying reasons for you too. -I think the hardest part of being inflexible is how patient you have to be to address it. The first stretching method that really worked for me was this: Choose a stretch. Ease yourself very slowly into that stretch and AS SOON as it starts to feel tight, gently stop. Then, actually reverse slightly so that the stretch releases. You want to be precisely at the point just before the stretch starts to pull. Stay in this position for one to three gentle breaths and then release. -Now, so many people call me ridiculous because of this method, they say say how could this possibly work? How can you stretch by not stretching? -But the magic happens. Repeat the stretch. Ease yourself slowly into the stretch, stop as soon as it starts to hurt, reverse slightly, breathe and then relax out of the stretch. By the third repetition your muscles will have relaxed properly. You can expect a little improvement -and no pain! This method changed everything for me. I use it all the time now, in every stretch. I've given it to other tight people and it worked for them too. I'd be delighted if it helped you out. Another note I hope you don't mind me adding. I would never put a ballet student on point after only three years of training - especially if her feet hurt while stretching. I hope I'm wrong about this but it might be that you've been pushed too far too fast. If this were the case then maybe unrealistic demands are being made of your body. -This happened to me. it really made me feel like a failure. I didnt know it at the time but what I needed though was a much slower steadier approach. When I found this (completely by accident) I started to experience more success. I was a much happier dance student and I enjoyed ballet a lot more. Best of luck.
hello ,my name is jana ,i love you verrry much ,,i love ballet since i was a child but i never did it because i did not have a chance,,but now iam watching all your videos and i like it verrry much ,,iam 14 years old now can i start ballet ??is my age appropriate to get flexable ??i do alot of exercises every day to get splits there is a little change but i cannot do splits ....what should i DO ??please tell me ..and can you tell me how long it take to do that ...how old were you when you started ballet???
Most ballet dancers start from 3-6 years of age. However it's never too late. Some ballet legends started as late as you, it's rare however and takes a lot of work. Flexibility is an asset so I'd work hard at that and begin to take classes as well. Try your very best each and every class, and begin to see the growth your making. After a while it should be evident whether or not you can make it in the ballet world, or if it's just recreational. So head down to your studio, and take classes! And stretch, I found having contortion like flexibility as helped me. And for your splits google "over splits" basically its leveling a leg higher off the floor. This will help you since gravity will be assisting in pushing you down. And in time you'll not only get your splits but over splits as well. I have mine on an office chair for both legs, so don't lose hope. XD. ;).
i can do backbend and some turns ,,do you think that i have flexbility ????(I have done a test for flexibility from youtube and have succeeded and there is no difficult exercise for me i can do all )
You can't succeed necessarily in flexibility because you can always get better at it. Keep stretching no matter what. And take ballet lessons. You need a teacher to learn ballet. :). So keep stretching and take lessons. As many as possible. And how is there no difficult exercise for you? You don't have your splits, so over splits would be difficult. Along with chest stands the stretch. Like go in a backbend and put your legs in-between your legs. Basically there are plenty of stretches you can do. But take lessons, so you don't develop bad habits. :) Good luck!!!
This video is just what I need! Also, please do a video with tips on breathing while dancing. I never know when or how to breathe. Thx.
Elena has grown so much! Just watched the What's in my Dance Bag video.
Thanks! These are the tips I'll never learn from no matter how many ballet classes I take! I wish all instructors are like you!
Fiona 🤗🤗🤗
You are the best, Claudia. I love your explanation for the mechanism. It is good for kids and adult beginners.
Stella Qian THANKYOU 🙏🏻
If you don't have a video on this already, can you do a video on picking up choreography quickly?
Great job Claudia! Oh, yes Elena, a very Happy 😊 🎈 Birthday!
Happy belated birthday Elena! Thanks for the great video
Thank you - you are always so pleasant and happy as you teach your students.
What a great video! I was wandering that you can give us more class on point. I really like the point class that you gave!
Elena does indeed have crazy hyper-extension in her legs! Good thing she is working with excellent teachers to help her manage that flexible body. Great tips as usual, Claudia!
Thank you so much for this video! I will be sure to use these tips at summer intensives.
I have a video request for grand rond de jaumbes (en l'air). I am having trouble keeping the height of my leg from side to back. Xo
Love your video. Happy birthday to Elena! She is beautiful and so cute.
Just the kind of tips I was looking for, thanks! Also, can you please do tips for hypoextended knees?
Congratulations on another well illustrated training video x These are great tips for dancers at all levels of training and for those returning from a break or time off with injury.
omg you just explained what every teacher has tried to get me to do for ages!
What I learned from this video makes doing developpes almost as easy as standing; I'm not even exaggerating. Thank you.
Devellopes have been my arch nemesis in dancing since I started. This video was super helpful!! Thanks so much!
Another fantastic tutorial as usual, Claudia! I mostly practice at home & just do everything standing - I don't have a barre or anything like that. Thanks again!!
aww Happy Birthday Elena! Plus, great video!
Teresa Dancer Girl ❤️❤️❤️
This video helped so much Claudia, thank you so much for your tips!
I'm practicing with all these wonderful tips and have improved a lot. Thanks Claudia💜
Great job happy birthday beautiful
Hey ! Absolutely looove your videos! Would it be possible for you to talk about a dancers diet? Or do you have any reading recommendations ? 💖💖
You're wonderful! I love all your videos! Thank you❤
That was exactly what I needed😍 you’re explaining everything so well ❤️
Thank you so much! have you done a video on stag/calypso leaps? :) if no, it'll be greatly appreciated. I wanted do do ballet, but I want to do lyrical/contemporary now, but these videos have helped me so much!
we live in Tennessee we love your video!!!!
Loved this so much and got a lot from it. I would really appreciate a video on the placement of an attitude as I have never quite felt like I fully understand exactly how it should look. Also promenades in attitude en dehors and en dedans as I have to do both in my upcoming show! Thanks :)
This video is so helpfull😍Thnk you Claudia💋
This was amazing!
so cute and so pretty
Great and logical as always!
Your videos are so helpful!! It would be awesome if you posted some tips about back muscles. Tnx!
Excellent tips!
lozachops Thankyou so much! 🙏🏻
can you do "how to improve balancing in relevé in the centre"? 💖💖
Yasssss Elena
great video as always!
Thanks so much - that was quite helpful (as an adult beginner here) :)
Thank you so much Miss Claudia! I love these videos! Would these corrections be useful for grand battements in the centre too? I really struggle with those at the moment... My legs end up bending and wobbling and being imperfect! 🌸💕
Dear Claudia, I think your tutorials are amazing. Thank you for making professional level technique available to everyone. I'd love if you could take the time to answer my (technical) question. I'm RAD trained. Even in the major syllabi we were taught that transfer of weight to the supporting leg occurred during the tendu instead of before it and as a result of floor pressure from the working foot. Yet in your tutorial and all the professional classes I've watched online -the dancers transfer the weight first. It seems a far more sensible approach but it goes against all of my training so far. So, why the discrepancy in training methods? is this a further development of the technique i was taught? a different approach altogether? Is it a cheat? I'd be delighted to have this mystery cleared up.
Thank you so so much for sharing
Can you possibly do a video on how to improve (get a higher) fankick (I think it's called a randejean in ballet, don't know if that's how it's spelled though. . .)
I think it's ron de jambe? I might be wrong too 😅
thanks u claudia for everything !
thin*, lol it's ok just correct it in a edit and then I'll delete my comment. ;).
Lubrano Lisa - The long legs, arms, and neck are an absolute required attribute to developed into a professional, or amateur, Prima Ballet Performer! Otherwise, they are just spinning their wheels and having fun!
Pete Totaro, that is most definitely true. As a ballet student in the states, I still try to maintain a weight within Vaganova is weight chart. As Russian ballerinas stand out with their stunning extensions and lines. Pete may I ask your connection to the ballet world? I see you often watch Vaganova is clips.
N/A N/A Hello, first let say thank you for helping all to understand the necessary body attributes to really become a successful Prima ballet dancer, etc. My connection to Vaganova Ballet Academy is primarily the wonderful memories of my most beautiful daughter learning ballet here in the states. After seeing many ballet sites in UA-cam, VBA just caught my interest in how the teachers and staff have perfected the art of training the most successful ballet dancers world wide! I love see the students at VBA progress over the years.
Pete Totaro. That's wonderful. I wish my dad understood ballet more. I'd like to someday be a principal with the Royal ballet in London. Because Russian companies rely heavily on students from their schools, (For good reason too). However Russian ballet continues to mesmerize me. My idol is Natalie Osipova, because she's Russian trained and had a nice career there before bringing her assets to the Royal Ballet. However Svetlana, and the sweet Diana Vishneva I look up to.
Claudia, you are sensational.
Hello! Thank you so much for this video, it was really helpful. I was just wondering if these same tips will help when doing devloppe's en pointe?
Graciass
Can you do a video on dealing with hyperextended arms in ballet
At what age is a dancer ready for these explanations? Is it a certain age or at a certain level of dance? What is your recommendation
her knees have so much range, why do they bend when she closes fifth? how do you fix that in a student?
the girl smiles like the joker lmao
I have a question about feet if any ballet dancers would be happy to weigh in, I've been dancing for 5 years and pointe for 3, I stretch my feet everyday (properly there's nothing wrong with my technique) and they just don't seem to improve flexibility wise, and my question is:
Is it possible that I just have very straight feet and I've reached my limit? Because I feel a jamming and clunking around at the back of my heel when I point and stretch, same goes for my turnout, splits in 2nd, arabesque and arms, they don't improve. I know I have HMS and forward facing hips (limited range of motion).
It's so frustrating because I can't stand turned out, mound in 2nd or releve to pointe in second properly, I'm strong, flexible, dedicated and have years of technique and experience under my belt, but it doesn't show.
Hi. I struggled a lot with flexibility and it took me years to find ways that worked for me. Even my physio couldn't believe how easily I seemed to 'lose' flexibility. But there were underlying reasons for everything just as there will be genuine underlying reasons for you too. -I think the hardest part of being inflexible is how patient you have to be to address it. The first stretching method that really worked for me was this: Choose a stretch. Ease yourself very slowly into that stretch and AS SOON as it starts to feel tight, gently stop. Then, actually reverse slightly so that the stretch releases. You want to be precisely at the point just before the stretch starts to pull. Stay in this position for one to three gentle breaths and then release. -Now, so many people call me ridiculous because of this method, they say say how could this possibly work? How can you stretch by not stretching? -But the magic happens. Repeat the stretch. Ease yourself slowly into the stretch, stop as soon as it starts to hurt, reverse slightly, breathe and then relax out of the stretch. By the third repetition your muscles will have relaxed properly. You can expect a little improvement -and no pain! This method changed everything for me. I use it all the time now, in every stretch. I've given it to other tight people and it worked for them too. I'd be delighted if it helped you out.
Another note I hope you don't mind me adding. I would never put a ballet student on point after only three years of training - especially if her feet hurt while stretching. I hope I'm wrong about this but it might be that you've been pushed too far too fast. If this were the case then maybe unrealistic demands are being made of your body. -This happened to me. it really made me feel like a failure. I didnt know it at the time but what I needed though was a much slower steadier approach. When I found this (completely by accident) I started to experience more success. I was a much happier dance student and I enjoyed ballet a lot more.
Best of luck.
1:54
WOAH
hello ,my name is jana ,i love you verrry much ,,i love ballet since i was a child but i never did it because i did not have a chance,,but now iam watching all your videos and i like it verrry much ,,iam 14 years old now can i start ballet ??is my age appropriate to get flexable ??i do alot of exercises every day to get splits there is a little change but i cannot do splits ....what should i DO ??please tell me ..and can you tell me how long it take to do that ...how old were you when you started ballet???
Most ballet dancers start from 3-6 years of age. However it's never too late. Some ballet legends started as late as you, it's rare however and takes a lot of work. Flexibility is an asset so I'd work hard at that and begin to take classes as well. Try your very best each and every class, and begin to see the growth your making. After a while it should be evident whether or not you can make it in the ballet world, or if it's just recreational. So head down to your studio, and take classes! And stretch, I found having contortion like flexibility as helped me. And for your splits google "over splits" basically its leveling a leg higher off the floor. This will help you since gravity will be assisting in pushing you down. And in time you'll not only get your splits but over splits as well. I have mine on an office chair for both legs, so don't lose hope. XD. ;).
However taking classes is far more important than stretching. But do both.
thanks very much for replying
i can do backbend and some turns ,,do you think that i have flexbility ????(I have done a test for flexibility from youtube and have succeeded and there is no difficult exercise for me i can do all )
You can't succeed necessarily in flexibility because you can always get better at it. Keep stretching no matter what. And take ballet lessons. You need a teacher to learn ballet. :). So keep stretching and take lessons. As many as possible. And how is there no difficult exercise for you? You don't have your splits, so over splits would be difficult. Along with chest stands the stretch. Like go in a backbend and put your legs in-between your legs. Basically there are plenty of stretches you can do. But take lessons, so you don't develop bad habits. :) Good luck!!!
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