Multiple Pirouettes in Ballet Exercises

Multiple Pirouettes in Ballet Exercises

I am 11 years old and we have been working on pirouettes for about a year in class. I can do quarter pirouettes, half pirouettes, and single pirouettes. But when it comes to doubles i start having problems. Do you have and tips? Thanks

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Reply by Odette

To:- Multiple Pirouettes in Ballet Exercises

Hello,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear from you.

It is very beneficial to be secure on the basics before you start the more advanced steps, so I am glad to hear you are breaking down pirouettes. Even though you are having trouble now, these basics are a great foundation for multiple turns.

Remember, when you come to double pirouettes it is exactly the same feeling as the single pirouettes - the same shape, posture and balance. Often, when dancers begin to practice more turns they alter the shape in attempt to tackle more turns. But don't change anything, all you are doing is adding en extra head spot.

I find it helpful to think of a pirouette as a balance. Everyone has a different balance, therefore you have to find your own. At the barre, take your hand off the barre to test your balance and find out where your weight tends to fall.

Also balance in retire and visualise yourself turning in a pirouette so that you can feel the right muscles enagaging.

Always go back to the basics of a pirouette when you start having problems and always keep the shape of turn. Your arms should be in a secure first position, your supporting leg on the highest demi-pointe and the lifted leg glued to a retire.

One last tip is to always keep lifted whilst you are turning. Keep growing up and up and imagine yourself growing taller.

Keep practicing and you will find you way of turning.

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Pirouette Line in Ballet Exercises

by Gyvonne
(Puerto Rico)

Pirouette Line in Ballet Exercises

1.how can i keep my line while doing pirouettes any tips?
2.while doing tendús changing a la second i need tips to improve to lock well my 5th position

thanks :)

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Reply by Odette

To:- Pirouette Line in Ballet Exercises

Hello Gyvonne,

Thank you for contacting me it is great to hear from you.

Here are my tips on keeping your line in pirouettes...

- Focus on maintaining the shape in the pirouette.

- Have a strong first position in the arms, a placed retire on the knee and a firm supporting leg.

- Visualise the shape and engage the muscles with a strong core center.

- Try balancing in the pirouette position and concentrate on finding the shape in the muscles.

To secure your 5th position when doing tendús changing a la second here are my tip...

- Focus on activating the glutes (bottom muscles) and the whole of the leg to sustain turn out for the 5th position.

- Feel your two feet grounded in the floor in the 5th position to have more stability.

- Use your core stability (abdominal muscles) to keep on balance and lock the fifth position.

Hope that helps!

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Exercises - Foutte Turns

by Briar Rose

Ballet Exercises - Foutte Turns

Hi Odette, I am 14 years old and just learned foutte turns I can't do them very well because I have trouble spotting and staying in the same place. How can I do them better because I would also like to be able to do them on pointe
Thank you.

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Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Exercises - Foutte Turns

Hello Briar Rose,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear from you.

Fouette turns are a challenging move which even professional dancers are often constantly trying to get better.

Fouette turns will take time to improve, you need enough strength and stability in your muscles to be secure during the turns. If you are struggling with the turns at the moment, it is just as beneficial to keep praciting single releves on the spot without the turn to build the strength on the supporting leg. You will find your releve will gradually get stronger so when you begin to do more turns you will feel more stable.

I suggest you build the strength to do the turns on demi-pointe first and once you have grasped this you can then work to do them on pointe too. Take one step at a time and keep practicing those releves to get extra strong.

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

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Reply by Briar Rose

To:- Ballet Exercises - Foutte Turns

Thank you Odette for your advice it is very helpful I start ballet in Sep. I will keep on practicing!
Thanks