Three tips for better pirouettes

Pirouettes are a fundamental skill across ballet, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical styles, yet many dancers struggle to truly “nail” this turn.

Here are three tips to get you on your way to better pirouettes:

Tip #1

This skill requires strength in more areas than just your core – you need to do more than just sit-ups. Try calf-raises to strengthen the ankles, and strengthen the glutes and hip flexors too.

Tip #2

Train your stability. Practise standing on one leg on an uneven or soft surface, and let your ankle find a stable spot. You can also challenge yourself by balancing on one leg with closed eyes.  

Tip #3

Go back to prep: the beginning pose before you complete your pirouette. Stand in front of a mirror and check that your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles are all in alignment. You must continue to be squared off to complete a pirouette with correct technique.

Let us know on Facebook and Instagram if you try out these tips!

Contact Dance Factor to trial a class with us. Dance Factor offers classes across all styles of dance and caters for all ages and abilities. 

Dance Factor is a Wollongong based dance studio.