How do you become a back up dancer?

How to become a good dancer?

• Hai. I LOVE ballet. But, I can't even do a pirouette! I love how beautiful it is & how you can express yourself! I'm 13 years old, & 5'3. I totally regret getting out of ballet when I was 7 because I thought it was 'boring' -.- I also got out of gymnastics when I was 10 because my parents couldn't pay anymore. I have NO leg muscle at all. I can barely raise my leg up to 90 degrees without it hurting. I can't even do a split. :( It's weird how I love ballet but I'm not even good. I have a dance class in school every other day & I stretch to the fullest. EVERYONE can do a heel stretch but I can't! :( It sometimes makes me wanna cry (yeah.. Im lame -.-) because im so jealous how everyone is so good! So the question(s) is; How to build thigh & calf muscle? How to get a split in 2 months? ( I wanna get it over the summer) How to get better balance? (my pirouette's are horrible) How to become a better dancer overall!? Thank you everyone for your answers! They are much appreciated! xxx

• Answer:

  I admire your appreciation for ballet :) In order to lift your leg past 90 degrees not only do you need the leg muscle to hold it there, but you also need flexibility. My thigh and calf muscle was develpoed from just going to intense ballet classes and constantly locking my knees and muscles when dancing. Keep everything taught and never relax your muscles, especially when on Pointe. But if you want to build muscles outside of dance class, therabands work wonders. You can lie on your back and lift your leg to 90 degrees against the theraband, or push down on the band. anything you can do that causes some resistence against your legs will work. the trick is to do it habitually all the time, like every morning and night. also, I do releves against the wall, about 160-200 after every ballet class. They are absolutely wonderful for calf muscle along with fondu escercises at barre. (not sure if I spelled that right). in way of flexibility, simply keep trying. keep stretching all the time. evern when doing homework or watching tv you can always be in a split. If you're growing and have growing pains it will be a slower process than others, but you'll get there all the same :D it's even better that you're doing it over the summer, lots of time to stretch. every time you drop into a split make sure you hold it for at least 1 minute this way your muscles really stretch. each time try to get a little lower and you'll have it in no time. In way of your balance while turning make sure you are all the way up on the metetarsle of your foot. also, you should feel your feet pressing down into your shoe while at the same time feel as though there was a string attached to your head and someone is pulling up on it launching your head to the cieling. stomach in shoulders down, rotate your pelvis so your tailbone doesnt stick out. keep your pose high. I know its a lot to take in and apply but I know you can do it with practice. just focus on one critique at a time. dancing is about devotion and determination. as long as the two are there you will go places. Good Luck!!!!