Arabesque and Back Flexibility
Feb 21, 2019
A common saying is that a dancer is only as good as her basics. Arabesque is one of those fundamental techniques where fluidity and solid form are combined. Flexibility of many muscles is called into play.
Adductors, Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Core
One of the core muscles that needs to be flexible is Rectus Abdominis. These muscles prevent the back extension together with Obliques and Psoas Minor.
However to have a nice, flexible back, deep extension is needed.
Zaichik Stretching
~Perception~ is a Zaichik Stretching Technique (or System) that quickly stretches Rectus Abdominis. The key to understanding ~Perception~ is that rectus abdominis not only flexes the spinal column, but also laterally flexes it (when each side of the muscle contracts independently).
Armed with this understanding, this is how ~Perception~ works:
- Lie down on the floor. Be prepared to push up into a position similar to Cobra. This is your target or the direction you want to keep stretching deeper into.
- Your leverage (or the movement that opens up the muscle for the target) is to move side to side. Simply flex to one side, and on your way back to the center, rise up higher.
- Do this several times in each direction alternating sides. Repeat 3 times.
Enjoy your newly found flexibility :)
Begin your journey to a higher and cleaner arabesque today through our Zaichik Stretching Techniques by clicking the photo below:
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