Expert: Connie - 4/22/2011

Question
Hi! My name is Sam and I love to dance. I took ballet for 4 years, lyrical for 3 after that, jazz for 8 during all that, and now I'm back in my 5th year of ballet. In the few years that I wasn't doing ballet, I've lost a lot of technique. One of my worst things right now is my pirouettes. I was wondering if there are any tips you have that can improve my pirouettes. My main problem is that I don't put my heel down right when the turn is done. I would love to finally get these down. Thanks for your time!

Answer
Hi Sam!  Pirouettes get better with practice practice practice.  It's good that you're back in ballet class; that in itself will help them improve!  Start by making sure you have the correct alignment.  Balance in retiree position (you can even hold the barre).  Make sure your head is over your shoulders are over your hips are over your foot.  Close your ribs and tighten your stomach.  Stand on the highest demi-pointe possible.  Your working leg should touch your supporting leg right under the knee.  Let go of the barre and try to balance for up to thirty seconds.  

Now, when you actually start turning know that the most important thing is your releve.  Push off strong and straight up from your back leg.  Use your hips to motivate the turn, not your arms.  

To work on putting your heel down start with just one turn.  Try to finish on balance, on demi-pointe, after a single pirouette.  Then lower the heel of your standing leg and lower your working leg to the floor.  Make sure you take just enough force for a single; any more and you'll have difficulty finishing the turn.

Most importantly, tell yourself you are good at pirouettes.  Challenge your friends to pirouette competitions.  Make it a habit to always do three nice turns before leaving the studio.  If you like to turn and practice as much as possible they will only improve.

Please let me know if this helps and if you have any other specific questions!