In order to create correct alignment in the side line series start away from the barre in second position. Reach and lean towards the barre. Your fingertips should reach the top of the barre. Taller students will need to move a little further away.
- Transfer to the inside leg then tip the hips keeping them open and the foot in line with hip. Depress the shoulder on the barre to create stability.
- While pulsing cue to reach the leg out and “listen to the barre” to create opposition.
- During Knee Bend cue the heel lifting and staying in line with knee.
The preps for hip opener help to teach the importance of stabilizing standing leg and working deep into the glutes to prevent the knee from twisting. Cue the glutes and knee alignment.
Hip Opener should initially be taught slowly (4 cts open/4cts close) Cue to press down on the barre and round the back to engage the abdominals. In the open phase cue to squeeze the glute of standing leg. Knee and elbow are in line and gaze is past the elbow. Most students will open to diagonal and not fully open side.
Master Trainer Allie Greene
