Q&A for How to Do a Pirouette

It's really important to use your spotting. You must have a really secure spotting head, as your head is the heaviest part of your body. If your head is slightly tilted, or you're not looking in the direction you want to end up, you're going to have complications.

In order to turn without getting dizzy, you must spot something. What this means is that you look at your eyes in the mirror or spot something in front of you with your eyes and hold it there as long as you can and then snap your head around.

To perform multiple pirouettes, you need to practice. Start with one pirouette, and keep doing it until you do it perfectly. Once you have the technique down, you should be able to do two or even three in a row. Remember to spot and to keep everything tight; this will help with balance.

When you begin your pirouette, you should push down through the floor in order to releve. You shouldn't be jumping up, but you should still push against the floor. That way, you will stay in one spot, and you won't travel.

Pirouettes take practice. Not everyone completes one on their first try. Work on finding your balance and try again. With enough practice, you'll be able to do one.

Try using a ballet barre (or a high cabinet, etc.). Hold onto it and turn out, soon enough your feet will become more balanced.

You can do them barefooted, however to stop causing blistering, any other shoes are appropriate.

Yes, it is possible to do pirouettes in some street shoes (e.g. trainers). However, it is much more difficult to do multiple turns and you are more likely to fall.

You might not be spotting correctly. Practice spotting then add it to the steps you need to do before turning.

A contemporary pirouette is similar to this one. Practice this one until it is perfect, then turn with your leg out. That's the main part of a contemporary pirouette!

You don't have to be on pointe to do a pirouette. You just turn on demi-pointe.

If you want it to look clean and be able to do multiples correctly, then yes.

Practice balancing in retire. The longer you can hold a retire balance, the better you will be able to stay up while doing a pirouette.

Practice makes perfect! Just remember everything: your plie, you arms, your posture, your turnout, your balance, your demi pointe, your foot placement. Point your toes, spot, and land gracefully. You'll do great!

Pretend there's an imaginary line going through the center of your body, from your feet all the way to the top of your head. Then, pretend that the string is pulling upward.

No, you don’t necessarily need flexibility to do a pirouette. You just need to be able to turn out and get your foot up to your knee, as well as follow the techniques shown above.

This can be because when you are doing pirouettes you hold your belly in and do not breathe properly.

The grass and/or soil will create friction and make it harder, so it's best not to.

No. Just because you are more flexible with your left leg doesn't mean that leg has to be more powerful. What's important to pirouettes is leg power and control.

No.

Try balancing on the position as long as you can. For spotting, try walking around in a circle with your eyes on one thing the whole time. When you are at the end of where you can see the object, snap your head back around.

Once you have done your final turn, you want to really pull up on the base leg as much as you can, until you can land in plie (bent knees). Spotting can also help, which is focusing on one spot and whipping your head around to try and look at that spot the entire time you are turning.

You can get socks and cover half of your foot with them. It helps with turning, and you're less likely to fall this way.

Yes, it does. It is very important to place your foot in the right spot. Try and connect your foot to the side of your knee.

Usually if you cant make it all the way through your pirouette, it's because you are not plieing deep enough. Your plie is what gives you the thrust that helps your body to turn, so try to make your plie deeper.

Focus more on turning out from the hip socket rather than from your ankle or foot. Practice that sensation through the duration of your pirouette, and it should become habit after a few months.

To keep balanced, spread your weight out throughout your body.

Tell him how important ballet is to you and that you need the proper supplies if you're going to succeed at it. Offer to do extra chores or find some way to help pay for them, like babysitting or making and selling crafts.

It is not required, no. Usually you do it on releve or "demi-pointe" as it is sometimes called.

No, you do not need to go en pointe to do a pirouette.