Expert: treivilo - 5/28/2009

Question
Good afternoon! I attend ballet classes and I need to improve my turn out (en dehors). I do not how to do it! Is there something I can do? I would be grateful if you recommend to me something. Thank you in advance.

Answer
Good Morning Angelina,

Yes, you can work your turn out, and make it a bit better.

First, you need to understand how turn out works. Many dancer think that the only part of turnout is knee, which is absolutely false. A real turnout starts from the hip (at the level of the femoral neck), then goes all the way down to your ankle.

You must not, in any case, force your turn out by trying to turn your feet at more than 90° or so. This will not help getting it better first, and second it may break or disassemble some joints.

So, actually, the best way to gain more and more turnout is ... to think about your turnout. When I say think about it, I mean think that your feet must be as often as possible turned out. Whatever you do, think to turn your feet out. When you walk, when you are working, EVERY TIME, try to keep your feet turned out.

When you sleep, try to sleep with your belly facing the bed and with your feet turned out,

When you walk, think about bringing your feet toes on both side,

When you are sat, use the chair's feet to keep your feet turned out.

You will see, it is first very demanding (you need to think about it all the time), then it will be your normal way of being, and you will do it without thinking at all.

One more thing that can help is the use of therabands, that will make your feet stronger and more "muscles aware".

Hope this helps,

'later,

Olivier