How to Stretch for Ballet

Stretching Your Muscles

Prepare yourself and your stretching area. A designated stretching area and appropriate clothing will help you get the most out of the exercises. Have a designated area for stretching that is free of all clutter. If this isn’t possible, clear away any obstructive material (e.g. breakable china ornaments, expensive objects) from the area you will be using. Wear comfortable clothes (such as a tracksuit or bike shorts over a leotard or tight-fitting crossover). Pull long hair back into a ponytail or a bun so it isn't distracting. If you have hard floors you may want to use a mat for floor stretches.

Warm up your hips and feet. It's especially important to move your hips and feet before you start moving. A simple way to warm up your hips is just to stand on one foot and swing the other leg back and forth. You can also lay on the floor, lift up one of your knees, and move it in circles to rotate your hip joint. In addition, do circles with your feet, along with demi plies, plies, releves, and jumps to warm up your feet.

Stretch your hamstrings. Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Touch your toes. If this hurts, then bend your legs slightly. Hold this position for 20 seconds. Repeat 2 times. Stretch your hamstrings in a standing position by crossing your ankles and bending forward as far as possible. Keep your feet together during the stretch. Hold for 20 seconds and then repeat, crossing your legs in the other direction. Stretch your hamstrings by bending forward and placing your hands on the floor with your knees bent. Slowly straighten your knees without taking your hands off the floor.

Stretch your feet. In a sitting position, place the foot you want to stretch over your thigh. With the hand closest to your heel, push into your heel. With your hand closest to your toes, place it over your toes and pull back so that your foot arches. Allowing another person to stretch your feet may result in over-stretching and injury. Jamming your feet under a door or standing on top of your bent toes may cause injury. Use caution if using a foot stretcher.

Use a ballet barre to do a bar stretch. Start in first position, with your left hand on the barre. Lift your right leg onto the barre with your ankle resting on it and your foot pointed. Lift your right hand to high fifth position and lean forward onto the right leg. Hold for 30 seconds then repeat on the other side. Keep your back flat. Keep both legs turned out.

Sit on your feet while in a kneeling position. Straighten one leg out in front of you (still sitting on the other foot) and point your toes. Touch your toes with both hands. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

Doing Splits, Lunges and Pirouettes

Do jazz splits and bend forward so that your face touches your front leg. Start with the left leg in front and outstretched with your right leg bent behind you. Bend forward as far as possible. Slowly unbend your back leg (right leg). Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat with your right leg in front and left leg bent behind you. Practice to be able to do regular splits with both legs extended.

Do right, left and center splits. Make sure you have perfect turn-out and point your toes. Hold each split for 20 seconds. Do rights splits by putting your right leg in front of you and your left leg behind you. Do left splits by putting your left leg in front of you and your right leg behind you. Do center splits by extending each leg at a right angle to your body.

Push your legs against a wall while in a straddle split. With your legs extended in a V in front of you, press your inside ankles against the wall, forcing your legs to stretch wider. Hold the stretch for 10-15 seconds. Do not over-stretch. Stop if this exercise is painful.

Do splits while lying on your back. Lie on your back and put your feet up in the air. Cross your ankles then widen your legs into a split. Repeat 10 times, alternating the ankle cross.

Do lunges for both legs. There are several kinds of lunges which can be done to stretch. Two of the most popular are Standard and Side lunges. Do 10-12 repetitions for each leg. Standard lunges: Stand with legs hip-width apart. Maintain a straight posture. Step forward with one leg and lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Your rear knee should touch or nearly touch the floor. Repeat with other leg. Side lunges: Stand with legs hip-width apart. Maintain a straight posture. Take a big step to your right side, bending your right knee and lowering your body until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Your left leg should remain straight with your foot in contact with the floor. Repeat with the other side. EXPERT TIP Laila Ajani Laila Ajani Fitness Trainer Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 10 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES). Laila Ajani Laila Ajani Fitness Trainer For an easier lunge variation, try side lunges. Side lunges can be a good alternative if you struggle with regular lunges. Performing one will feel more like a stretch, as it stretches out the inner thighs but doesn't work the leg muscles as much as regular lunges.

Pirouette to improve your balance. Complete a full turn while balanced on one foot. Think about “pulling up”: imagine there is a string coming from the top of your head attached to the ceiling. Perform pirouettes en pointe or demi pointe depending on your skill level.