Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 5/3/2010

Question
Hello. I am an Asian and my ballet teachers told me that Asian people usually have less open pelvis than western people and i don't know if it is because of this, my high muscles are round and not slim. My pelvis was naturally turn in and i just started training them to be more open about one year ago. but my muscles was already like that: when i stand parallel, my upper thigh muscles bulge out and slope downwards. and when i stand facing front, the muscles right beneath the femoral neck bone is always bigger and protrude out more than my pelvis=x. i see all the other ballerinas have slim muscular thighs. My thigh muscles are muscular but in the wrong shape.  My teacher also told me to stand in first position and tuck my butt and thigh muscles back but i am not sure if this would solve my muscle problems. Can you please advise me on how to reshape my upper thigh muscles?( my lower thigh is aright and pulled up# thank you

Answer
Hi Anna. Here are some articles which I have written that may help you to work more towards longer leaner muscles. Your natural shape may not change musch, but you can review this material and see if any of it will help you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Learning-to-Develop-Lean-Muscles-in-Ballet&id=1338933

http://www.squidoo.com/balletshoes  Here's another site with the same article plus more on correct ballet technique.

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/2008/07/understanding-muscle-funct...  is an article on muscle function and posture.

If I could see you stand, and dance, I could be more helpful. Study these details and see if anything applies to you, from the articles above.

All the best, Dianne