Rotating the Upper Leg

Here is another (not quite as conspicuous) turn out exercise.  This is great to work the upper thigh, and should be repeated as much as possible!  A great way to practice this is while watching TV or a movie, reading a book, or anytime you find your self sitting on the floor!  It is also fun to challenge your friends to try this.  It takes a surprising amount of endurance!   

Step One

Step one: Sit on the floor with your feet stretched out before you.  Sit up with a straight back, and make sure that you are aligned correctly (e.g: head over shoulders, shoulders over ribs, ribs over hips, etc).  Turn your feet out into first position.  Make sure that you can feel your entire leg working to turn out.

Step Two:  Lift one leg up off the ground about seven to nine inches off of the ground.  Lower to the ground and repeat on each leg.

It is really up to you as to now many you would like to do, but I suggest doing ten on each leg, and repeating at least once so you do twenty on each side.  

Practice, Practice!

For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  

-Hebrews 10:36

Dancing Through The Mall- Turnout Exercises For Every Day

My lovely dance teacher has given my class some exciting new exercises to try.....at the grocery store.  Many dancers are known for their rambunctious attitudes, so this wouldn't be a problem for them.  If you are not quite as rambunctious as these dancers, just slip on your socks and do these exercises on your kitchen floor.

This is how they work: While shopping at the grocery store, or mall (any where that has a cart), turn out your legs and scoot forward with small "steps", making sure that you are turning out correctly and not shifting your weight from leg to leg.  Another variation of this is to shase through first position while pushing the cart.  Both are acceptable.

A video is below:

If you muster up enough courage to try this, perhaps you should wait until you are in an isle vacant of other humans.  :)

More is coming soon!

The joy of the Lord is my strength! 

 -Mandy

Another Note: Do your best not to sickle your feet as I did.  Make sure to feel your arches!

This Week's Theme: Can You Guess It?

This week, I am going to talk about turn out.

Turn out is a difficult and beautiful thing--imperative for dancers.  I am still working on this, but I am going to try and post a few of the techniques I've learned over the years.  

So, keep on the lookout for some helpful hints!   

See how much turn out she needs to extend her leg in the back?

~Mandy