Ballet Turning Drills: Finding Your Axis for Better Pirouettes

In this 18-minute session from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of the perfect turn. Many dancers struggle with pirouettes because they haven't yet identified their axis—the precise vertical line where weight is perfectly balanced over the supporting leg. This class is designed to help you find and maintain that balance point through targeted turning drills that focus on stability and control.

We begin by refining your alignment in plié and fourth position, ensuring your weight distribution is centered before you even start the movement. The instructor guides you through a series of exercises including fondu and fondu relevé. These movements are essential for developing the strength needed to control your ascent and descent, which is where many pirouettes succeed or fail.

By focusing on the fondu, you learn to melt into the floor to gather power, while the relevé trains your body to find stability at the peak of the turn. Throughout the class, you will work on positions such as cou-de-pied and retiré, focusing on the precision of foot placement and hip alignment. Understanding your axis isn't just a mental concept; it's a physical sensation that requires consistent practice.

The instructor provides verbal cues and corrections to help you adjust your posture in real-time, emphasizing control over speed. Repetition is the key to muscle memory. By practicing these drills, you will develop the core strength and leg stability necessary for more advanced turns.

Whether you are struggling with a single pirouette or looking to stabilize your doubles, this class offers the technical foundation required for mastery. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and turn with newfound confidence.