Mae989 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Hi, my DD is not blessed with the much sought after 'swaybacks'. In fact she almost has hypo-extended knees. Does anyone have any top tips that can help her straighten the back of her knees? Has anyone had experience of this and maybe further into their training and managed to achieve a straighter leg line? Or is this something she is blessed with for life????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 My DD's knees do stick out sadly but she still has been offered MDS place at two vocational schools so I hope there is a chance they will improve. I think it's just practising ballet with perfect technique, pulling up knees etc rather then stretching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amos73 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hi Mae989 My DD lusts after swaybacks and doesn't have them, but she also doesn't have hypo extended knees. However, with religious daily hamstring and calf stretching she has developed a much better line at the back of the knees. Her teacher says you don't have to have sway backs, but the knees should be 'fully engaged' if that makes sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygirlsmum Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 My DD has swaybacks (I only know this as dance teacher mentioned it) but I was under the impression it was a bad thing. I could have this wrong but DD mentioned that she had to retrain herself not to straighten her let as it looks bent when she does. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Aesthetically, "swaybacks" are desirable to some Artistic Directors. If you look at a line of Mariinsky "Swans", you'll see that almost all of the dancers have swaybacks. All this means is that a dancer has hypermobile knees, often along with other joints like hips and elbows. Although this means greater flexibility, the lax joints can be very injury prone and need daily strengthening work so that the muscles surrounding the joints help protect them. Not something to wish for! :-) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygirlsmum Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Thanks for the explanation Anna C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Her teacher says you don't have to have sway backs, but the knees should be 'fully engaged' if that makes sense? "Fully engaged" - but not locked, if I've understood it right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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