Technique Tuesday: Wide(r) 2nd

The wider version of Second position, or Goddess to the yogis, requires patience and practice. It is a position you should be warmed up for, coming later in your class or kept shallower if done during warm up. Just as time is important, form and posture are key to safely finding this wide plié.

You are working to keep your back flat as you bend the knees, shoulders over hips. Because of this, you will fight to keep the knees tracking inside your big toe. Your body will want to collapse forward like a squat, and in turn the knees will follow. This is where patience and practice come in. You should not expect to sink to knee height and raise your heels from the start.

My biggest advice in any position is to work higher without adding the ‘bells and whistles’ until you have mastered the basics and acquired muscle memory of good form. In wide position that would mean staying on flat feet and not lowering past the depth where the back is flat and knees are wide over the ankle. Over time you will find flexibility and strength enabling you to step wider and sink lower, perhaps adding releve’ (coming to the toes). When you lift the heels find more weight in the ball of the foot instead of the toenails feeling pressure, keeping your pinky toe down as well.

Celebrate the challenge by practicing and giving yourself something to look forward to (or photo ops), a goal is key to consistency.

Go get it, because #YESYOUCAN

BEE