How to Do Ballet Piques

Ballet is very difficult, it takes a lot of training and practice to learn and perfect. Pique turns are one of the simplest turns and are used in several combinations. Here is how to do pique turns.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ballet shoes

1. Stand tall on your left leg and point your right foot out in front of you, leg straight. Sit up out of your hip and engage your rear muscles.

2. Hold your arms in a starting prep turn, left arm center and to the side and right arm centered in a half circle. Pique is French and means "to prick." Step up on a straight right leg. "Prick" the ground so it is almost like hopping onto a straight leg.

3. Bring your left leg into passe, foot in front of the knee as you step on the right foot. Keeping a turned out left knee, turn on the right foot. Make a full rotation. Bring your arms into a circle in the middle of your body (center fifth arms).

4. Step on your left foot and plie. Stretch your right leg out straight and pointed directly in front of you.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for each turn. Reverse the sides to do left pique turns. These turns can also be made into double or triple turns, just increase the number of rotations. Good luck!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your upper body strong and pulled up.
• Plie out of every turn.
• Don't step up on a bent leg.