Expert: Connie - 5/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Connie. I am a late starter, I just started ballet in January when I was fourteen, now I am fifteen. Before ballet, I played soccer and volleyball for 5 years, though I took jazz class and gymnastics after school last year.

However, now that I am in ballet class I have a little problem: my leg muscles are just too big. Whenever I dance it looks like its going to pop out! When I lift my legs, I feel the upper muscle on my thigh tensing. My teacher says that I am using the wrong muscles and tries to teach me to use the underside, but its now really working. Also, though possible from soccer, my calves also bulge out freakishly whenever I point my foot. How can I learn to lift my leg using the under muscle? And is there anyway possible to "re-shape" my calves?

ANSWER: Actually, what your teacher is telling you is wrong.  You have to use your upper muscle (your quad) AND your under muscle (the hamstring) to lift your leg up!  If you look at pictures of professional dancers you can see every muscle in their legs.  Having muscular legs is good; you won't be able to do advanced jumps or pointe work without them.  Same with your calves; you need to have those muscles to work on demi-pointe and pointe.  The only thing that really will reduce the size of your legs is losing weight in a healthy way by eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and processed foods.  The way your body looks is largely determined by genetics.  However, if you are taking good ballet classes and standing up straight your leg muscles will elongate over time and your legs will start to look more and more like a dancer's.  My advice is to not focus on it so much right now.  Work on your technique and your muscles will develop as you become a stronger, better dancer.  Best of luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much!
I can understand now, however, when I do grande battement devent, my quads tend to tense up and hurt alot. I'm I doing it wrong?

Answer
Most likely this is just your quad muscle getting stronger. Grande battements front make them work hard!  However, if the pain feels like more than a sore muscle or lasts longer than a week you should ask your teacher about it or see a doctor.  In the meantime, put some ice on it when you get home and heat it up with a heating pad before ballet class.  Also, gentle quad stretches before class may help.