How can a 19 year old dancer improve their turnout if that is possible? In other words, how can someone who's body is already develpoed open their turnout more?
2007-11-25 05:41:19 · 7 answers · asked by l w 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
this is very difficult because your bones are set.. you are pretty much stuck with what you have. please don't injure yourself trying to open further! you can be a great dancer without a perfect turnout. focus on turning out to your best from your hips and watch your allignment! happy dancing!
2007-11-25 06:00:17 · answer #1 · answered by MARYSHUNSHINEx08 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll assume you already do ballet so here's my advice(:
In classes, take special attention to your turnout when doing your barre work (e.g. plies, rond de jambe, developpe, etc). What I've heard from my ballet teacher is that you should start with a 100 degrees turnout (not anything more or less) because a 100 degrees turnout is able to work your muscles while improve your flexibility, since the turnout actually depends on both muscles and flexibilty. When holding a 100 degrees turnout comes naturally, increase your turn out slowly, bit by bit.
The frog is also very very useful(: I guess I shan't elaborate more on this since almost everyone here has already talked about them.
Another important stretch is your centre split (what they call the straddle in gymnastics), so work on it! :D
Stretching exercise to improve your centre split:
Sit up straight with your legs in a diamond shape (right knee pointing right, left knee point left). Try to let both knees touch the ground, and stretch forwards. Make sure you're bringing your stomach towards your feet and not your head to your feet.
And then it's centre split time.
Sit with your legs in an angle as wide as possible (ideally 180 degrees), roll over so that your butt is off the ground and your arms are supporting your body. Using your body weight, try to push your legs as far as possible. Make a conscious effort not to let your butt travel beyond your legs, so that when viewed from the top, you'd look something like:
o-| and not
o-< or o-> (though the latter is rather uncommon)
The goal is to let your hips touch the ground while still looking like o-| from the top.
That's all I can say. Good luck!
P.S. I'm working on my turnout too :D
2007-11-28 05:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The frog. It's a stretch were you lay on your stomach, and keeping your pelvis on the floor put the soles of your feet together. Now at first they will be pretty high up in the air. Hold it for a few (20-30) seconds and then get someone to push your feet down a few centimetres, hold it for a few (20-30) more seconds, and again get someone to push your feet down a few centimetres. Do this everyday. And once your feet touch the floor (it takes about year or less or sometimes slightly longer, depending on how flexible you are) get the person to push your feet closer to your body.
And remember, the stretch is useless if your pelvis is off the ground.
2007-11-25 10:30:46 · answer #3 · answered by Aurum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing is, your turnout depends on your knees and hips. I know, that's weird, but you feet should be directly under your knees pointing the same direction, and your knees directly under your hips. Remember the old adage: head over shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips over knees, knees over feet.
Stand facing the barre with your feet together, both hands on barre. Rock back on your heels, then turn your feet out as far as they'll go, keeping your heels together (yep, first position). Put them back on the floor. THAT'S your maximum turnout.
While sitting or laying on the floor, point your foot and turn your whole leg from the hip. You may find it easier to get to your maximum turnout, but don't let your feet go farther than your knees want them to...you'll just wind up screwing up your knees.
As a 57 year old former dancer, I know from whence I speak!
2007-11-26 06:31:58 · answer #4 · answered by Debdeb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be careful!! Turnout is not natural and you're especially prone to injury if you do it late. Even if you started early, most of the people who have been at it for a while get injured.
My suggestion is to take yoga.
2007-11-25 06:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by David 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frog splits, don't push yourself to hard, but stretch everyday. Take a ballet class, if not already.
2007-11-26 10:04:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The frog is the best. you lay on your stomach and make your legs bent. put your feet together and touch your feet to the floor.
2007-11-25 10:53:39 · answer #7 · answered by nicpic™ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋