Since I'm very flexible, it's easy for me to lift my leg somewhere around my shoulder in an a la seconde position... but I have trouble staying in there, which isn't very nice. I look like a weakling!

So I went and thought about this problem for a moment and decided to place some heavy, weighted object like a textbook or a dumbell on my leg while I lifted it.

Of course, I'll have to keep my foot flexed so it won't slide off--unless I want to tie it in place, which would look REALLY ODD but at least I could point my foot. And if I don't want it to slide... UP my leg and hit me in the abdomen, I probably can't lift it higher than ninety degrees.

Unless I go for the tying things to my leg idea. And while I'm grappling with the thought of looking stupid I also realise that it looks wierd anyway, so I should probably go all out and break out the twine. Hee .

Is this a good idea, or am I just trying to save some of those really heavy books I've got lying around my house (which I never read) by telling people I use them as weights?

raedyn_l... You seem to be asking about training with weights which might have some benefits that I am not able to address. Perhaps someone else will give you some ideas...

Hi raedyn! Are you in aballet class, yet? Trying to train yourself in ballet, especially in unorthodox ways, could be unhelpful and perhaps even dangerous.

If you perceive a problem, your best route is to ask a teacher who knows you, your relative strengths and weaknesses. If you're not in a class, yet, you need to find one if you are to make meaningful progress with your dancing.

It seems like she is trying to strengthen her leg.

I can't give advice either as to whether this is safe or not, but raedyn_l you obviously have some dedication there.

raedyn_l, you can get wrapround ankle weights pretty cheaply -- just search and/or shop online. It's much easier than tying dictionaries to your legs. Of course, you should consult with your teacher about this.

Er, not to put a damper on your concern, but I wasn't being too serious about that strapping weights to my leg thing . (I did, however, mean it when I said I wasn't too strong.)

But don't worry, I'm taking your advice into full consideration.

And thanks for reminding me about the wrap-around weights, djb--I almost forgot about them.

There are ankle weights you can wear that I use all the time. They wrap around your ankle like a wristband (for your ankles..) and they have really heavy pallets/sand in them. They come in a variety of weights.

They're great for strengthening, and it sure sounds more practical than books.

[Edit: OOPS...I didn't see someone had already suggested those. Apologies for repeating the same thing. On another note, you'll find that lifting your leg from develope and then holding it at a higher than 90 degree angle for 5, then 10, then 15, then 20 secs.....up to a minute increasing in time every week, a few times a day, will strengthen your legs all on its own. No weights needed. You might wanna do that and THEN move onto weights, to get maximum benefits.]