Expert: Connie - 12/28/2011

Question
I am 15. My height is 160 cm and weight is 105 lbs. What is the range of height and weight of a professional dancer? How should i achieve that? Moreover my shank is becoming more muscular. I always stretch but it doesn't help. What should i do? What exercise should I do for flexibility as my back is not very flexible. My ankle is loose. I am afraid this will hurt myself when i do en pointe as i actually have gone en pointe for a year since my mum didn't allow me to take pointe classes. What exercise should i do to improve this? How can i lift my legs higher? I don't know whether I use wrong muscle or what just i can't lift my leg higher.

Answer
160 cm = 5ft 2 in

The normal height of a professional ballerina is 163 cm to 170 cm.  However, there are many dancers who range from 162 cmto 178 cm!  Weight depends on your build and what looks good on your body.  The average 160cm ballerina would probably weigh about 100 lbs, but that doesn't mean you need to weigh 100 lbs!  It completely depends on what looks healthy and athletic with your body.  

By shank I'm assuming you mean legs.  It's okay to have muscular legs, even good in ballet to show off your muscles!  However, if you feel your legs are far too bulky I would suggest examining the way you take class, especially barre.  Do you grip the wrong muscles to hold your turn out?  Are your stomach and back muscles weak and not doing the work, so your legs must take over?  Also remember that everyone's body is different.   Your legs may not be as slim as some one else's, but you may have a much more powerful jump!

There are many different back muscles and therefore many stretches to improve flexibility.  I would suggest practicing a bridge to stretch your back, as well as gentle stretches like leaning over your feet in butterfly or even just bending forward and touching your toes.

Try ankle strengthening exercises to help your loose ankle.  Releve 8 times on each leg, 16 times on both and repeat 3x a day every other day.  You can also try theraband exercises.

To lift your legs higher keep taking ballet class!  Class every day will help you improve.   The improvement may be slow and unnoticeable to you, but it will happen!  Best of luck!