Expert: Connie - 5/29/2008

Question
hello my name is Matty i'm 15 and i'v been dancing most of my life. but i am really struggling with my double pirouettes, i know all the things that help e.g spotting holding center keeping legs straight and turned out but its not helping.
if you have any ideas that might help please let me no!
thanks

Matty

Answer
Unfortunately there's no magic trick for pirouettes.  Practicing will always help.  However, there are a few things to try.
Think of a pirouette as a jump.  Push strongly with your front leg, down into the ground and then up.  Bring the back leg up to meet it quickly.
Make sure your arms close at the same time as your legs meet.

Work on pirouettes by perfecting your balance at the barre.  Do a single and grab the barre and balance.  Work up to a double.

Also try videotaping yourself.  This way you can see exactly what you're having trouble with.
Good luck, and keep up the hard work. =]