I have never been trained in Horton, but I was looking at some of the exercises on youtube as I'd like to incorporate new ideas for warm-up. However, there are several parts that seem to go against some of the things I teach/have been taught.

Would anyone clarify if it is still used in it's original form or have there been modifications for safety?

Examples -

From flat back forward into plie', the dancers knees are not directly over there toes. Seems like they are accommodating room for their torso so the knees open while the toes stay parallel.

When leaning back in the same exercise, it seems like there isn't a lift through the cambre and pressure is put on the lower sacral area.

In the lunge series, the dancers do not have their front leg perpendicular to the ground. The knee is past the toe line. They also bounce this stretch.

Grand plie' from parallel 1st is done with no release in the foot. The foot stays flat while they are in a full squat.

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Is it still done this way?

I studied Horton in college as my teacher had just retired as a long time principal with Ailey. I do not specifically teach Horton now but I do use certain Horton fortifications for my warm ups, so I will try to answer the best I can...

1-flat back w/plie--Ideally the knees should stay over the toes, this can be difficult for some, so many times (rightly or wrongly) maintaining the flat back and depth of the plie are made a priority over maintaining a perfect parallel. Also to begin with the parallel used in much of the Horton exercises is a bit larger than a more traditional modern parallel the legs can move to be in line with possibly the outside of the hip as opposed to directly under the hip.

2-the leaning back-- This part of the exercise is more about pressing the pelvis forward than the actual combre. It is imperative to still pull up and actively engage your core. If you are engaging those core muscles and move the upper body as one piece initiating with the pelvis there should not be pressure felt, but rather a stretch felt in the hip flexor.

3-lunge series-- Sorry don't have the best answer for this one (I always hated the lunge fortifications and do not teach them myself)

4-grand plie -- This is called a primitive squat. The foot does stay flat to the floor. Ideally the achilles will become more flexible with the use of this exercise. Make sure to strictly maintain your parallel with knees strongly over the toes and also do not lean forward. You should only go down as far as you can while still maintaining these other aspects of the exercise. As you continue the exercise regularly you will be able to go further down.

Hope these help! Let me know if you have any other questions. Also there is a book that has all of the fortifications with pictures and descriptions of the proper technique in it. My teacher had it in college, and I have been on a search for it ever since. It is no longer in print and unfortunately I can't remember the name at the moment! eekk anyone else know about this???

You mean this one?
www.amazon.co.uk . . .

Thank you both!

In the primitive squat, I thought that over stretching tendons was not safe. Does this exercise over stress the tendon?

lidwina - that directed me to amazons UK site. I was also able to find it on the US site as well.

Very helpful responses.

I LOVE this forum!!!!

I use elements of the Horton Technique in my contepmorary classes. I don't use the primative squat, mainly because my pupils only do 1 hour a week with an hour and a half jazz as well and I don't see that it would help them, I think it would do more harm than good in their case.
If you get the series of DVD's all of the exersizes are explained in a good amount of detail, I found them very useful.
I use some of the fortifications and some of the warmup and find it helps with core strength, something the girls needed real help with in September.
When we went to a competition last weekend the adjuicator remarked on how good their core strength was.
I do use the mix of Graham and Cunningham technique that I was taught at college too though.

hummingbird wrote:

I use some of the fortifications and some of the warmup and find it helps with core strength

That is precisely what I am looking for....core strength exercises that have been well established.

I have extensive Horton training and studied at the Ailey School in NYC. I also performed in a company founded by one of Ailey's principal dancers.

I believe #2 that you are talking about is a hinge which is one of the staples of Horton technique. You are also correct about the Primitive Squat which is good for stretching the back of the ankle.

Horton will make you a strong dancer, that's for sure.

When I took modern, (back in the day, before becoming a teacher) I always did the primitive squat that way- feet staying flat. I don't currently teach modern but I'm looking to start, so I should probably start brushing up, haha.

I have studied some Horton, I use flatbacks in my jazz classes to help build core strength without doing crunches for ever. I also throw in some Graham style exercises for core strength. The kids like the variety.

I do have my kids do what you called the primitive squat, not because I learned it in a Horton class, but because I learned it in a ballet teachers class. It is very good for stretching your achillies tendon and calf muscle, stretching your calf and tendon is very important in protecting the achillies tendon. Plus - I think it feels great!