Back Knee Position in Front Split?

Porshka started this discussion · 4/1/2012

I want to say I have already seen a post about this but I could not find it.... Doing the front splits, does the back knee point down or to the side? Finding the right answer is really driving me crazy. I have read that the back knee should point out; this is how ballet dancers do it and it is actually easier to do in shoes, etc...I have noticed this is how Felix Cane does hers. However, I do Alethea Austin (actually, I think her front foot is to the side and back leg down) and the Valentino Brothers' DVDs and they are doing it with their knees down and touching the floor. So, I am not sure what to do. At that point, do I just modify their excercises to get my knee out, if that is what I want to do? I am not completely sure how well I am explaining my question, but the bottom line is I want to know where my knee should be.

4 replies

chemgoddess1 · 4/1/2012
These are the 2 threads that get in depth about splits. The knee to the side is a jazz split and is probably the only one you are going to be able to do in heels. This is also a much easier split than a full front split. https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/Splits_in_6_weeks_2010-03-19_013304 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/The_official_splits_progress_thread_2009-11-29_011908
Veena · 4/1/2012
Neither position is right or wrong. It's just preferace and will vary depending on if you're dealing with dance, gymnastics ect. When training for the splits aim for squared hips to get the most out of the stretch.
Danielle Tillie · 4/1/2012
I'm finally seeing some progress in my last couple of inches... I'm getting all the way down a little more often with my hips a bit more square. Of course as soon as I get all of the way down consistently, I'm going to want my oversplits! I do all of my stretches with the knee facing down. It's harder and more painful, but I feel like I'm getting the most out of my stretch. I figure if I can get all the way down with squared hips and knee facing down, I can most certainly get the jazz split as well.
JeHanne · 4/1/2012
You have received some great feedback here. There is no definitive way on which is more correct than the other, I do them both ways. Just depends on the look I am going for.