Are you looking to gain flexibility and strength in your arabesque? Many dancers are unsatisfied with the height of their back leg, and believe intense stretching is the best way to increase extension in the arabesque position. "However," says American Ballet Theatre physical therapist Julie Daugherty, "dancers are often surprised how much their arabesque can be improved by spending time doing strengthening exercises to control the motion, rather than spending a lot of time just stretching into the position."