Would hamstring stretches improve my grand battement?
Katia has natural talent, not to mention the best training and years of it. But when it comes down to it, she was gifted with her genes. If you watch some other Esmerelda variations, you’ll notice that girls years older than her, also with amazing training cannot hit the tambourine as high as she. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWwi63DiiLo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM-E5zOBxh0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVW9mGnSJKQ It is a bit unrealistic to try to get as good as Katia in a year. But to achieve a still respectably high battement, focus on the hamstrings. Try the doorway stretch, lots of oversplits, and work on the strength of your leg as well. Yes, core strength helps as it does in everything to do with ballet. Good luck!
