Turn Out

Turn out is fundamental to ballet. If you don't know much about ballet, it is probably something you will hear over and over again, and instead of going "huh?" you can read this and know exactly what your teacher is talking about!

Turn out is the outward rotation of your hips and feet.

Ballet dancers are always working to achieve their best turnout, which in a perfect world is when your feet create a straight line when you stand in first position.

Ballet technique and movements are centered around turnout. Good turnout gives dancers more flexibility, and a better range of movement. Regular stretching, practice, hard work and time will help you improve your turn out.

Some of my favorite turn out stretches are:

1. Sit on the floor with your legs together and straight out in front of you, point your toes and rotate your hips outward reaching your pinky toes to the ground. hold for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times. OR you can find a heavy book and have a family member or friend put the book onto of your feet while you reach your pinky toes to the ground.

2. Lay on your belly with your heels together and toes apart (in first position). Keeping your legs straight, use your hip muscles to reach your heels closer and closer to the ground.

3. The Wall Stretch is one of my favorites because it stretches all kinds of muscles! Lay on your back in front of a blank wall or a stable long couch. Sit as close to the wall as you can and reach your legs out to the side (making a v shape on the wall with your legs) reach your legs as close to the ground as you can, keep them straight.