Problems with Pirouettes

[PrettyonPointe01]

I keep falling out of my pirouettes, or jumping out of them. I do everything I'm supposed to, core tight, strong arms, straight legs, etc. But nothing is working, and I really want to do a triple.....any advice?

[Mel Johnson]

At what point in the pirouette are you losing the balance? Remember: A pirouette is mostly a balance. It just happens to be turning. I wonder if you are flinching as you try to go around for that last turn, and the momentary change in center of gravity is sufficient to kill the final turn. The highest point in the pirouette is at the very end, when you come down and finish in demi-plié. It's the rule of "go up to come down."

[Victoria Leigh]

And don't forget that third spot! I find that most students think the turn is over before it's over and do not keep the head moving.

[allegrogirl987]

I used to be unable to achieve that "go up to come down" effect in my pirouettes; something that helped me was thinking of pulling up in the passé and that it needs to be pulled up throughout the entire turn.

[Victoria Leigh]

Just don't lift the retiré position itself, if it is already in the proper position. Might help more to think of it continuing to rotate more.

[allegrogirl987]

Woops- sorry. Guess it might have been a personal problem that I was dropping the position!

[gavotteindmajor]

Something that really helped ME was learning in fraction turns. (Yes, remember when you were so little and cute and did "quarter-turn, half turn, full turn"?)You can go past singles with one-and-a quarter, one-and-a-half, etc. I found that going back to basics never hurts. It also helps with your control.

[ArabesqueForever123]

Try lifting the palms of your hands up so you can see your palms. I have heard that this helps engage the muscles in your back so you will be more lifted. One other thing that helps me turn is to make sure your weight is on the front leg when you take your fourth position. To make sure that your weight is forward, lift your back leg up while in the fourth position. If you didn't have to shift weight, then that mean that your weight was forward!

 

The pirouettes then will become easier because you do not have to adjust your weight once you get up on your relevé.

 

Also, when preparing for the pirouette, don't fling your arms to get that power in your turns. This will not make you do more turns. It will just make you fall out of your turn and also make you lose your balance. Careful to not lift your shoulders also. This will give you stress in your shoulders which will not help at all with your turns.

 

Hope these tips will help and I also hope you get your triple pirouettes down!

Edited July 26, 2011 by ArabesqueForever123

[Victoria Leigh]

Arabesque, please remember that teens do not tell others what to do and what not to do on this forum. You may offer the things that have helped you, but please do not put it in the form of advice. That is the job of the teachers.

[ArabesqueForever123]

Oh ok, but this is what helped me achieve my triples and quads.