Stopping sickling?

[Skittl1321]

My left foot sickles terribly when in retire for en dedans turns. It looks horrible. When we just go to retire, I can concentrate on getting my foot to exactly where it needs to be, but even if I think about it when preparing for turns, it still sickles.

 

My teacher told me "you are in control of your feet" and said since I know I am doing it, I should be able to fix it. I'm not sure if my feet know that I'm the one in control!

 

Are there any tips for stopping sickling. Since I only notice it in en dedans turns, I'll tell you that the prep we use is in fourth with a plie on the front (right leg) with a straight back (left) leg. We bring the leg to retire as we begin turning, but don't whip it out to the side like some teachers teach the turns. I don't have the problem with sickling on my left foot when I go from fourth (or fifth) plie to retire for a balance or for an en dehors turn. (These are in flats)

 

Thank you so much for any advice or strengthening exercises. My turns are getting better- I can almost do doubles now, but this is one ugly foot.

[thedancingj]

My opinion - your teacher is right, it is YOUR foot! If you can shape your foot correctly the rest of the time, then this sounds like a coordination issue, not a strength issue. Is this turn just particularly uncomfortable for you? (I know that *I* don't like that one!) Cause I'm guessing that you are loosing control of your foot because you're distracted by how much you don't want to do that pirouette. I'd suggest just practicing the releve in front of a mirror without the turn so you can get used to getting into the right position without worrying about the turn. Once you're comfortable with that and have gotten the right feeling, then you can add one turn, then two.

 

Just my 2 cents. Tell that foot who is in charge!!

[Mel Johnson]

I cannot add anything to such an excellent response.

[dianec]

Once I was helpfully advised by my teacher to think about the ankle rather than the foot to stop sickling - it makes it part of getting the retire right rather than a separate thing to think about.

[Skittl1321]

Is this turn just particularly uncomfortable for you? (I know that *I* don't like that one!) Cause I'm guessing that you are loosing control of your foot because you're distracted by how much you don't want to do that pirouette. I'd suggest just practicing the releve in front of a mirror without the turn so you can get used to getting into the right position without worrying about the turn. Once you're comfortable with that and have gotten the right feeling, then you can add one turn, then two.

 

Just my 2 cents. Tell that foot who is in charge!!

 

Thanks for the advice. No, it's not an uncomfortable turn, I like it and can complete two rotations on my leg and on balance with a nice spot. It's just an ugly foot. I think the problem is that when we practice releves in class we practice from a different position. I need to releve in front of a mirror from this position without the turn. I tried to just do singles today and think more about my foot, but I still couldn't keep it from sickling on this particular turn.

 

I'll have to add this to my practice at home routine. I don't do a lot at home because I don't have good floors for it, and I'm worried about getting bad habits- but clearly, I already have one.

[Mel Johnson]

Something else may be at work here, too. A lot of students use the supporting knee/shin as a sort of fulcrum against which to push the knee back when in a pirouette position. Rotation of the working leg has go be from the hip and not depend on the supporting leg for anything except being kept off the floor. I remember an old teacher in Boston who had been taught by Nicolai Legat himself, and she would sometimes give en dedans pirouettes in which the working leg was not in contact with the supporting leg at all. It was never "for stage", but instead a diagnostic to see who was rotating properly from the hip.

[ami1436]

Something else may be at work here, too. A lot of students use the supporting knee/shin as a sort of fulcrum against which to push the knee back when in a pirouette position.

 

Mr. Johnson, I'm sorry if I'm being totally dense here (and it is quite possible, as it is almost 3 am), but I've stared at this post for 5 minutes and can't figure out how the fulcrum idea works for this particular en dedans pirouette?

 

I know that I have a similar problem if I'm not careful. I think it's rather easy to overstretch the outside section of your foot, creating a sickled foot. That, combine with the fact that to me, the feeling of getting to retire in an en dedans turn (either with the fondu in seconde or without) is that of bring the leg in (which I guess makes sense), and if I lead too much with the toes to get the leg in, well then, it sickles.

 

I think some people also sickle in order to get their foot in retire devant - that is to bring it from back to front, 'around' the leg, they sickle the foot so it doesn't get 'stuck'.

 

thedancingj is right, it is YOUR foot. I find that instead if I concentrate on the entire shape I want to create in the turn, with a bit more focus on the ankle rather than the foot (as per dianec), the foot is more willing to obey!

 

Okay, I need to sleep. I fear I'm not making any sense!

[WendyMichelle]

Mel........this is how our teachers like our pirouettes as well. No contact or just barely touching the inner side of the knee.........but straight out beside the knee (am I making sense?). They do not like the toes resting in the little "divet" of the knee at all and will quickly call out a correction to you if they catch you doing it!

[Mel Johnson]

Sounds like they're trying to avoid the "second-class lever" situation I described above!

[Skittl1321]

Sorry I haven't replied sooner- been busy with rehearsals.

 

In warm up today we did these turns again and I really paid attention to what I was doing. I think it is a strength issue, as well as the "getting around the knee"

 

The more I am analyzing my other retire position on my left side I am finding that I often do push my foot against my supporting knee, not to get the turn out in the leg, but to get the foot to the proper shape. Is there something I can do to strengthen my foot so I don't need this push?

 

I don't do this on the right side and can easily shape the foot on it's own. On my left if I just put the foot in position hanging in front of me, it sickles more often than it doesn't- although if I move it around for awhile it will eventually get to the right position.

 

Thanks for all the help.

[Mel Johnson]

Think just in terms of pointing that working foot straight. Don't give it the chance to sickle.

[thedancingj]

Is there something I can do to strengthen my foot so I don't need this push?

 

Tendus. Seriously. I can't think of a better exercise for stengthening and shaping your feet. Plus, it's something you are already doing every day! Just think of how many tendus you do in one ballet class....

 

(I am channeling my director so much right now it's not even FUNNY.... I have been working with that man for TOO LONG... )