How to do pirouettes in ballet well

Ballerinas make turning look elegant and even easy. However, pirouettes can be difficult and take time to master. The following steps will allow you to break down the process of turning in ballet and allow you to turn successfully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ballet slippers
• full-length mirror

How to do pirouettes in ballet well

1. Stand straight in front of the mirror. It is important when practicing pirouettes to have a point in the mirror to "spot" with so that you will not get dizzy.

2. Begin in fifth position with the right foot in front. When doing pirouettes en dehors (turns going away from the standing leg or "outwards" turns), tendu the right foot to the side and then ronds de jambes to the back so that you are in fourth position with the right foot behind. It is also important that both legs are in plie and your weight is in the middle of your legs. More advanced dancers pirouette with the back leg straight, but to start out, dancers should have both legs in plie.

3. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when turning is to make sure that you spot. It is what differentiates "turning" from "spinning." Spotting allows you to keep track of how many revolutions you have completed, maintain balance (and not get dizzy) and increase the speed of your turns. When you are in the position as instructed in Step two, pick a spot in the mirror that is just above eye level. Each time you complete a rotation in the pirouette, bring your focus back to this one spot.

4. Once you have established where your spot is, you are ready to turn. Use your plie to get momentum for the turn. Your arms (in basic pirouettes) will go to first position and it is important to use your arms to successfully turn. Do not wind up up your arms to get you around. Instead, your arms should be strong and be "actively" held in first position. The strength in your arms will be another factor in keeping the energy in your pirouettes.

5. The foot that goes to passe also needs to have energy; it cannot simply "rest" on your knee. The foot needs to be stretched so that your toes are lightly touching the front part of your knee. The standing leg also needs to be working. Do not "sink in" in the standing leg. Think of standing as tall as you can on the standing leg because this will allow you to stay on demi-pointes longer.

6. Whether you do one, two, three or even more revolutions in the pirouette, the ending is just as important as the turn itself. Likely, you will either end in fifth position (the way that you started) or in a fourth position with the front leg bent (so that you are in a deep lunge). When you have finished your final revolution, do not simply drop the leg down. When you try really hard to stay on releve as long as possible after a pirouette, you are strengthening both legs and improving balance. When you are ready to come down from releve, control the leg that has been in passe so that it reaches the ground in a controlled way (instead of just slamming the foot on the ground). Extend the arms from the first position during the pirouette into extended arms of your choice or as directed by the teacher.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important in any ballet movements, especially pirouettes, to practice on both the right and left sides. Most dancers in general turn or jump more easily on one side or the other, but it is important to increase strength on both sides of your body.
• Especially when starting to turn in ballet, it is important to not try to do many revolutions in a pirouette. Often dancers try to turn multiple times, but the pirouettes end up sloppy or dancers lose control of their bodies because they are trying to whip around fast. Start slowly in the beginning. After having done a single pirouette successfully and with control, try a double. With each successful rotation you add on to a pirouette, make sure you are still turning with control and in the correct body placement.

Resources

• Ballet Terminology