Episode 12
February 2, 2021

Bye Bye Bad turning Days

Hey guys! Welcome back to “Dance Tips with Brittany”! 

February is my birthday month so I am choosing some of my favorite steps for this month’s tips. I love pirouettes and I know I’m not alone. I love the challenge of always striving for one more. It is a constant internal game with yourself. I used to believe in having a bad turning day… not anymore. I’ve learned pirouettes aren’t just a game of chance; turning is a science. Don’t give up on yourself blaming it on a bad turning day when you can break it down and self teach. Break down what you are doing that day to make your turns less successful. Is the passé too low, are you dropping the rib, are you inner thighs not engaged? Rather than giving up and wasting class time, check in with yourself and see what you need. Most often for me, it happens when I need to do some more abs. So guess what? I do some crunches and hop back up to try it again.  

Today’s Dance Tip is:
Bye Bye Bad Turning Day

Take responsibility for yourself and don’t let the idea of a bad turning day determine you.
Because what do you do if you have a performance or competition? 

Let’s break down the parallel passé position:

Passé

  • Put on your Seatbelt so you feel the connection from the shoulder to the knee. This torque in the body activates the core and connects to the leg. 
  • Ribs lifted or stacked over the supporting leg. So we aren’t crooked.
  • Make sure you have a long spine in line. 
  • Arms engaged with the pec and back
  • And finally, lift that passé. Lifting the passé to a table top activates the hamstring.

I have one final tip I like to add…

  • Act like you have to pee… this engages the inner thighs and can then connect to your seatbelt. Now your leg won’t start to sway between parallel and turned out positions. You are now in a secure position. 

I know there is a lot to think about in a parallel passé position but the best thing you can do is take responsibility. Understand your body… where are your weak spots and why? Then you can self-correct yourself and become a stronger turner rather than being the dancer who says… Oh I’m just having a bad turning day. And walks off the floor. 

Thanks for joining me today! I hope this lesson helps you. Comment below if you have more tips about maintaining a strong passé position.

Have a great day! Catch ya next week on “Dance Tips with Brittany”

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