Stretches! please answer?

Question:Hey everyone, ive started dancing sort of recently but im quite good for someone whos been dancing as long as i have. but i really want to develop some cool things to do, as i do contemporary and ballet i really want to be able to lift my leg up high wthout using my hands, at the moment i can get a little above 90 degrees and thats holding it for a while. but i would love some stretches and exercises that would help me improve that skill. also the other thing is i really want to be able to point my feet so that my toes touch the ground so any stretches or exercises for that would be much appreciated!
thanks everybody!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hey everyone, ive started dancing sort of recently but im quite good for someone whos been dancing as long as i have. but i really want to develop some cool things to do, as i do contemporary and ballet i really want to be able to lift my leg up high wthout using my hands, at the moment i can get a little above 90 degrees and thats holding it for a while. but i would love some stretches and exercises that would help me improve that skill. also the other thing is i really want to be able to point my feet so that my toes touch the ground so any stretches or exercises for that would be much appreciated!
thanks everybody!

you can try propping your leg up on top of something like a wall that's a bit above 90degrees 1st and keep bending over and try to touch your toes with your hands.turn sideways and try that as well.when you can do that,try to touch your knees with your face.remember to keep your legs straight.

you can also bend your legs and pull them close to you,sole to sole,and try to make your head touch your toes.when you can do that,try to make your chest touch your toes while keeping your back straight.

another way is to practise your splits.front splits are easier i guess so you can slide your dominant leg forward and your other leg back 180degrees then try pushing yourself downwards but do it slowly and don't push yourself too hard or your muscles might be injured.rest a bit and do the sole-to-sole thing from time to time when you feel tired.it can really help.

and you can do the kicks(front,side and back) while keeping your legs straight.raise your leg up as high as possible but start low to warm-up.maybe that'll help you kick higher.

as for exercises for pointes,you could get someone else to help you apply pressure on the top of your foot while you pointe to improve flexibility of the foot muscles.however,i would advise you to take slow and gradual steps for the exercise,if not you might injure yourself.hope i helped!(:

ahah. to stretch just practice everyday and try to hold your leg there longer and higher. but dont overstretch.
it hurts.

and to improve your point, sit down and point and you can ask someone to help you push your toes down.

at least thats what i do (:

hi stretching your leg a lil bit above 90 degrees everyday will help ..... after 9 years of dancing i can now point my feet so that my toes touch the ground i manged it by pointin all the time i would watch t.v nd point my toes and i would get some1 at dancing to hold around the arch of my foot while you point and slightly push it worked for me :D
x

doing stretches wont help to much you just have to build that muscle believe it or not i heve to build that muscle by june for a move i have to do in a dance..my teacher said to just hold it there longer and higher a few times each day and you will adventually be able to get your leg really high!!! good luck!!

Of course you need to stretch every day, but you need to build some muscle too! do some plies or core strengthing exercises to improve your height and turnout.