Four Tips For Turns

I realized that I have not done a tip or trick on my blog in a really long time so I thought what better than turns to bring it back. I am still trying t get better at turns just like everyone but I have learned some great tips about them through out my dance life and recently that I thought I would share with you. Turns are one of the most important components of Ballet. Usually you have a better side, mine is the right, but it is very important to work nth sides because when you are working in the core you do not get to choose what side you turn on individually because you all have to be the same. Also no company audition is only going to have you work things to the right, so you always have to be prepared for that dreaded sentence o when you finish a combination and the teacher yells out "alright now n the left" or "alright now reverse it". These can be really scary if you do not practice one side enough so make sure to even your training out even though it is definitely more rewarding to do your good side. Ok so now on to the tips, hope you enjoy and this held you whip out the best turns ever.


Tip 1~ Balance
Balance is the single most important part of a turn. I your balance is off you can not even begin to spin. Many people do not balance in their turns and those are the people you see spiraling out of control. It may seem simple to balance but it actually take a constant effort you can not go up and hope to balance you have to focus in every part of your body and keep still. A way that you can work on balance is to do the turn combo with out turns. This may seem crazy but you will see exactly where your alignment and position must be to balance from every position. If you really want to work on balance in general get a balance board. These are round and squishy at the bottom and you have to balance on top. These are not only great for balance but also for control.


Tip 2~ Spot
Spotting your head is also very important in turning. This helps to not get dizzy and to keep you in one spot. For your spot look at your self in the mirror or something at eye level. You do not want to look above or below this because then it throws off your balance. Your head is the heaviest part of you and if you let it out it becomes impossible. another thing about spotting is maker sure to keep it at and even tempo or rate. This will help with you musicality and will ultimately make or brake the turn. It give you force and speed when you need it to keep the turn going.


Tip 3~ Position
Keeping the position the same throughout the whole turn will not only look better but it will help you get around. You should have 3 separate positions throughout the entire turn.
1- fifth before you take off

Photo by Basic Ballet

2- The turning position

Photo by Dicas de Ballet 

3- Landing position. 4th or 5th

Photo by Bag of Ballet

When you take off don't hesitate the front foot or turn it in keep it in fifth it will make sure your leg travels straight up While in the turning position do not cross your foot over your standing leg.



Tip 4~ Finish
Remember to always finish! Time and time again I have heard teachers tell about if you land on the floor you get back up and finish. NO matter how bad your turn is finish it like it was the best one ever. The people watching do not know it wasn't and it always a good sign when someone finishes everything they do. Even if you didn't stick the landing fake it until you make it. It is good for your body to get into the habit of finishing each step no matter what. So whatever your turn looked like from your ending pose it should look like it was the best it could ever be. Walah!


I hope these four tips help in your future turning endeavors! Maybe now you will look like Beckanne Sisk.  Let me know what side is your favorite down below.

All things pointe shoes

Once you reach the intermediate levels of ballet you go on pointe. To anyone who is not a dancer yes, this means you dance on your tip toes. Once you get your first pair of pointe shoes there are a lot of things to know for the many that come. 

First, Pointe shoes are expensive! The average pair of pointe shoes cost around $90+. Then you have to buy all the necessary supplies like ribbon, elastics, rosin, toe pads and etc.. 

Photo by Meres Flares

Second, not only are the expensive but if you stick with it you will use A LOT of pairs. Most beginning pointe dancers only go through one or two pairs their first year. This rapidly increases on a personal level after that. The better a dancer you get the more pointe shoes you will go through in any given amount of time but it also depend on how strong your feet are because then you are putting less strain on the shoes. I have gone through 13 pair in my 2 and a half years on pointe. 

Photo by Wikimedia

Next, Sewing!! :)Just kidding sewing pointe shoe is horrible! At the academy you have to sew your own pointe shoes. They are so specific abut how you sew them that they give you a course when you first go on pointe. Here are some quick step to sewing them properly; start by marking where you want the ribbons to go and which foot is which. Then sew the elastics. I use one elastic place pretty far back near the heel.Click here for a stitching pattern to follow.  Then move to the ribbons, repeat the same sewing pattern that was used on the elastics.  Finally you burn the end of the ribbons to prevent fraying.

There are many necessary supplies when it comes to pointe shoes. You need to get elastics and ribbons, how ever usually they come with the pointe shoes. You also need a stitch kit; stitch kits have the proper thread and a needle made for sewing pointe shoes. You can get this at any dance wear store. Probably the most helpful supplies are spacers and toe pads! These will save you from bleeding and prevent bunions. You also need rosin to help them not slip while you are dancing.

WARNING:The pain of pointe shoes is not exaggerated! Pointe doesn't hurt that much at first but after your amount of pointe classes increases so does the pain. After a long saturday rehearsal you can almost not feel your feet anymore, and that comes as a relief. The pain of pointe shoes is really painful especially if your toe nails are too long or too short. The worst is without toe pads though. Once I forgot my toe pads in the wash and I had to go without any thing except a cheap paper towel. It was probably one of the most painful two and a half hours in my life! For the last 30 minuets I was dying and definitely looked horrible. After class I took my pointe shoes off to find blood and blister and purple toes. After that experience I always triple check to make sure I have my toe pads. It took me three weeks to fully recover and do pointe without wanting to cry. It really is true what they say about ballet causing blood sweat and tears!

So all though Pointe causes pain and costs a fortune thats what defines a dancer. Getting your pointe your first pair of pointe shoes is so exciting and it gives you a great sense of accomplishment! Pointe shoes are worth the suffrage they cause and there defiantly is a lot of suffering going on.

The Perfect Bun

If you are a dancer then you know how important it is to master the perfect ballet bun. At the Academy everyone pretty much has it down by level 6. I have heard teachers and professionals say that they can tell how well a dancer is going to dance by how well their bun was done. This statement is harsh but it is also pretty true as well. if you think about it you are going to put the same amount of effort into class they you put into your bun. If someones hair is sloppy they also can not go full out because of the fear that it will fall out. Anyone who has ever been in a ballet class knows that having your hair fall out in class is the worst and most embracing thing possible. At ballet west if your hair keeps falling out the ask you to go redo it in the bathroom or sit out and watch. So, now that you know how important proper hair is here are the steps and some tips on how to make a perfect ballet bun.

Photo by Me 

What you need:
Hair brush / comb
Round hair brush
1 Hair tie
5 or 6 large bun pins (you can purchase these at almost every dance store or click here.)
Small bobby pins
Clips
Spray bottle (filled with water)
Hair nets
Hair spray
* Flower or Bow optional*

Step #1
Making a pony tale. When you are making a pony tale you should aim for it to be right where your head curves. It helps to get rid of bumps if you wet your hair before you start. You should hold your hair in the position you would put the hair tie in and brush/comb through it several time until it is very smooth and has no bumps. Use the round circle brushes for this. Then put the hair tie in. If there are and bumps or sagging pieces you can secure them with a clip or bobby pins.

Step #2
Twist the hair tightly together, then wrap that twist in a circle following the same direction you were twisting. Use the large bobby pins to secure it. You want your bun to be as flat as possible.


Step #3
Cover it with a hair tie and the secure with small bobby pins.

Step #4
Us hair spray to secure any whispy hair and for a long lasting hold.


Depending on what the policies for you school are after you finished you can add a flower or bow for styling. Ballet west does not allow these like most professional schools, so keep in mind for auditions and programs at schools like these you look more professional without any extras. If you follow these steps you can make a perfect ballet bun. Just remember to wash your hair afterwards  so it stays healthy!