Double attitude turns

[Claude_Catastrophique]

This has alway been a weak point for me...I found recently out, that my arms were the problem for singles and since I corrected that, they work well. Now I started to work on my double more intense and I just can't get around properly, no matter how hard I try (maybe I am trying too hard ). I somehow kick myself out of balance and now I wonder if it is my legs that do that. I mean, where exactly should your leg be when you do an attitude (and is it the same position in the turn?).

 

You know, when I think I am going to fall over, I lower my leg and then I automatically start turn much faster which makes everything worse.

 

I can balance pretty long on relevé and atittude back...I just suspect that my legs are kicking me this time out of balance (arms are now good).

 

Basically I wonder how an attitude looks from the front (I mean, what is visible when you face the mirror?)

 

Thank you for reading

[Balletbabe32]

Generally, you want to be able to see your foot on the other side of your body if you're facing the mirror.

 

Yeah, dropping your leg when you think you're going to fall over can be a problem. As a rule, I find that if you actually push down into the ground with your standing leg and pull your attitude up (or at least send your energy that way, you don't really need to actually move it), and make sure you are attaching your opposite shoulder to your attitude knee through the energy in your abdomen and back...you should be able to maintaint he position for a double.

[Claude_Catastrophique]

Thank you for your answer! I'll try them when I have my next class! Maybe I need to take my leg down in general a bit. I have recently watched some Pros doing attitude turns and their legs weren't as high as I have mine.

[Mel Johnson]

A question here, Claude: Are we talking about en dedans turns or en dehors?

[Claude_Catastrophique]

I think it's en dedans, although with attitude turns, I am never sure which is which (I always confuse left and right): Shall we say, the right leg is the supporting leg, the left one is in attitude and I turn to the right. It's en dedans, isn't it?

[Mel Johnson]

Yes, that is en dedans. Remember, "inside" and "outside" refer to the supporting leg. Turns en dedans turn in toward the supporting leg, those en dehors turn outward from the supporting leg. As with any pirouette in an open position, arabesque, à la seconde, etc., the working leg has to be lower when you start out in order to make the turn faster. If you have more music, then you can slow down the turn. Remember always to go up as a unit, and not leave any part trailing behind you as you turn.

[Balletbabe32]

Yes, that is en dedans. Remember, "inside" and "outside" refer to the supporting leg. Turns en dedans turn in toward the supporting leg, those en dehors turn outward from the supporting leg. As with any pirouette in an open position, arabesque, à la seconde, etc., the working leg has to be lower when you start out in order to make the turn faster. If you have more music, then you can slow down the turn. Remember always to go up as a unit, and not leave any part trailing behind you as you turn.

 

Funny aside-

I was explaining this to some beginning, teenage students last night, and then I finally said, "You know...have you ever taken physics?" And she said yes, but she got a B. As if that somehow excused her from the concept

[Claude_Catastrophique]

He he, I was really bad in physics until a beautiful young man helped me.

 

Oh, I did not realize that one with the supporting leg and en dedans/ en dehors. I always thought about the working leg and shoulders but this one makes much more sense

 

I just tried a single turn on our wooden floor (I couldn't resist ) and *awesome* I never made such a good attitude turn in my life before! It was only a single but you have to start somewhere.

 

Thank you very much for your help I even could balance for a couple of seconds in attitude after the turn!

 

Great, thanks!

[ToThePointe]

Try taking small steps. Add an extra 1/4 to your turn, then a 1/2, etc. Don't forget to change your spot right away to where you plan to land.

 

If your mechanics are good enough to balance at the end of your single, then it is just a matter of figuring out how much momentum is needed for a double. I find many students take enough force for four turns when just trying to attempt two and it throws everything out of whack.

 

By just adding 1/4's to your turn, it should help you understand how much force is actually needed.

[Claude_Catastrophique]

This sounds like a very good idea. I think with the new feeling in the working leg, I need to start with singles again (it feels like a completely new turn...but a good one!) anyway. Thank you

[Ann_hphg]

Yes, that is en dedans. Remember, "inside" and "outside" refer to the supporting leg. Turns en dedans turn in toward the supporting leg, those en dehors turn outward from the supporting leg. As with any pirouette in an open position, arabesque, à la seconde, etc., the working leg has to be lower when you start out in order to make the turn faster. If you have more music, then you can slow down the turn. Remember always to go up as a unit, and not leave any part trailing behind you as you turn.

 

Oh wow... this sounds like something to pay special attention to in open turns. Thank you for that! *takes note*

[LaFilleSylphide]

Something that has really helped with my multiple attitude turns en de dans was actually careful consideration of my shoulders. Are you being very aware of your opposite shoulder and keeping it back? If your left leg is in attitude, then your right shoulder must be pushed back to square yourself and counterbalance yourself against the upward position of the attitude. This squaring off helps you to stay on top of your center, stacked, and balanced. It was amazing how my turns vastly improved when I began to concentrate on keeping my opposite shoulder back and squared.

[Claude_Catastrophique]

This sounds like something very reasonable and worth trying. I'll try that the next time I practise attitude turns

[Ann_hphg]

Something that has really helped with my multiple attitude turns en de dans was actually careful consideration of my shoulders. Are you being very aware of your opposite shoulder and keeping it back? If your left leg is in attitude, then your right shoulder must be pushed back to square yourself and counterbalance yourself against the upward position of the attitude. This squaring off helps you to stay on top of your center, stacked, and balanced. It was amazing how my turns vastly improved when I began to concentrate on keeping my opposite shoulder back and squared.

 

Today we were being told in class that the only thing that should impulse the turn in attitude should be the plie and the head, because trying to turn with anything else would cause misalignment, and therefore failing of the turn. I wonder if I am not paying enough attention to my shoulder and if that's the reason why I can't seem to complete the last 1/4 of the turn.

 

*makes mental note to remember this tomorrow*

[Claude_Catastrophique]

Oh yeah, the last quarter is the problem! But it is getting better and better. I did not do any doubles recently, I first have to learn singles with this new feeling (and it feels much better and it also looks much better!)