Q&A for How to Improve Ballet Turnout

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How can I strengthen my turnout?

Geraldine Grace Johns
Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Geraldine Grace Johns

Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor

Expert Answer

The ballet turnout fundamentally comes from your core strength and the use of your inner thigh and bottom. Also, keep in mind that you have to rotate from your hips first—everything else follows after that.

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Question

My turnout is like a V. How can I get perfect turnout soon?

Community Answer

Try to rotate your legs from your hip, and not from your ankles. An easy way to see if you are doing this is to draw a small line down the middle of your thighs, and then try to turn out. You should see that the lines move outward. If they do, then you are turning out from your hip.

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Question

Is it too late to start ballet at age 10?

Community Answer

No. It's never too late to start ballet, especially at the young age of 10.

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Question

Is it possible to achieve good turnout if I started ballet late (e.g 13/14)?

Community Answer

Yes, it's possible, it might just take a little more practice.

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Question

Is age 75 too late to start? Ballet is my way of exercising.

Community Answer

Remember you are never too old for trying something new, as long as you enjoy it you should be just fine.

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Question

What angle do my feet need to be for first position in ballet?

Community Answer

Normally it is about 90 degrees between your two feet - like a diamond shape between the two, but it varies depending on your natural turnout. To find your natural turnout put your feet together and quickly move your feet to turnout and that will be your natural turnout.

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Question

What if after doing all these stretches, I still can't get a good turnout?

Community Answer

Keep in mind that turnout is partly a natural thing. Your body structure may interfere with your turnout range. Keep doing stretches and strengthening, and remember- good turnout takes time and dedication!

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Question

How much time does it usually take for my turnout to improve using these exercises?

Community Answer

It depends on how much you practice. Just keep trying and it will get better.

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Question

Can I still practice ballet if I do not train with professionals?

Community Answer

Yes, there are many online ballet tutorials that you can follow that will be able to assist you. Just be careful that you are not practicing around anything that could harm you.

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Question

Do I have to pay to join ballet?

Community Answer

If you're going to be taking classes, yes, you'll probably have to pay, unless you can find free classes at a YMCA or other community center.

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Question

I am 11 and I want to start ballet, but I am worried my parents won't show interest. What should I do?

Community Answer

If you like it, then you should ask them about it. There are so many proven benefits of ballet that you can present to them, like exercise, friendships, competing under pressure, developing poise, getting good balance, etc.

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Question

My turnout is almost perfect but a slight V. If it hurts, should I keep pushing it or no?

Olivia G

Community Answer

Don't keep pushing it. If you keep doing turnout stretches and turning out the amount you are used to, it will slowly but surely come naturally and it will not hurt. Your knees should be directly over you feet. If your feet are farther out than your knees, you are pushing it. Also, when you are doing work at the barre, make sure all your toes are on the floor, and your full heal is flat down. Once your turnout strengthens, every so often you can turnout a little farther. But in order to create good turnout habits you should engage your core and relax your shoulders back so everything will be lifted to strengthen and stretch your turnout.

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Question

How do I turn out all the time without being reminded?

Holly_M_Smith

Community Answer

Practice, practice, practice! I'm sorry if you've heard this a thousand times, but it's true, that's why you keep hearing it. Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes progress, so keep dancing and don't worry about your turnout being perfect. I've been dancing for a while and my turnout still isn't perfect.

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Question

Could I go en pointe within a year of doing ballet? (I have 8 years of other dance experience.)

Julia Marriot

Community Answer

Most likely not unless you have been doing ankle strengthening types of dance, or unless you are strong enough in your ankles. Talk to your instructor about it, as they are in the best position to know what will be okay for you.

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Question

I have started ballet late (at 18) and my turnout in first position is about 90 degrees. Am I still able to get a proper turnout with 180 degrees?

Julia Marriot

Community Answer

Yes! Practice turnout excercises with a theraband to help improve your turnout.

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Question

Whenever I try to turnout, my butt sticks out. I don’t know if I’m over turning out or if it’s something else?

Julia Marriot

Community Answer

When turning out, remember to rotate all the way from the hipbone to the ankle. If you are overturning out, your knees will bend and your feet will roll over.

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Question

Is it correct that, to help my turn out I need to use my hips and my bottom?

Karen Rekdal

Community Answer

Yes it is correct. That way, you aren't forcing you feet out and are using your muscles and not the floor.

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