TURNOUT TIPS - How to Improve your Turnout and Hip Rotation (adult ballet dancers) | natalie danza

[@tgburger]

I loved this video. I’m 75 and have always loved dance but I’ve never done it. My niece is a dancer and she’s introducing me to the basics. It’s keeping me on my feet during the pandemic. It is a challenge and we’re being careful.

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I love this! Keep dancing 🩰

[@tammygant4216]

I know this is old and you probably won't see this, but I so so SO appreciate the way you explain the way the adult body differs from the adolescent body as it pertains to dance. I started dancing at 47. I'm 52 (and1/2) and still dance for 3-4 hours a day 5 days a week, but at my studio they don't have this kind of insight. I've learned so much from listening to your videos and doing your exercises. THANK YOU!!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

My pleasure! Wishing you all the best with your dancing 🩰✨

[@sarahwales6276]

Natalie this is the most helpful and informative turnout video I have come across. As an adult dancer I can relate and am very similar to you in range and flexibility so you address the same challenges I too face, I have been incorporating these exercises into my dance everyday and seeing improvement, I feel like I am your 'before' so it gives me so much encouragement to know you have experienced so much improvement. I'm so glad you don't let the ignorant comments stop you from sharing your journey, I am finding your videos so so helpful, Thank you :)

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Hi Sarah, thank you so so much for your comment! Best of luck on your ballet journey, I'm sure you'll achieve wonderful things :)

[@deanamilioti]

In my early 40s and definitely feeling it in my knees trying to turn out too much. This is super informative. Thank you!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I’m so glad it was helpful ☺️

[@lolabalaton6829]

Wow! That was really helpful! Even my best dance teachers couldn't explain all that the way you did!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you so much Lola! As an adult ballet dancer myself I've lived the struggles of turn out so it's easy for me to know what other adult ballet dancers are feeling regarding turn out :)

[@bettina4374]

Great detailed explanation. I stopped ballet when I was 18 but I want to come back to it , just for my enjoyment. Turnout is definitely an issue for an adult who took a long break from ballet. I hope you don’t let yourself get discouraged by critical viewers. Everyone is different and you can’t compare yourself to dancers who started when they were 4. The only fair comparison would be, you, compared to the average woman your age who doesn’t do ballet.

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you for your supportive words! :)

[@winonawareagle4692]

I feel that same sensation in my muscles! I don’t dance or exercise but the past 3 days I’ve been wanting to learn ballet bc I think it would be a healthy and fun way to exercise and I think it’s so pretty ,, I’ve wanted to for awhile but just last week I started watching your videos and started following along! I love them :)

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Yay! I'm so happy you're enjoying my videos and interested in ballet! Maybe you could see if there is a beginner ballet class for adults in your area! :)

[@michellethiesen7972]

I'm 26 and I have a degenerative disability. I've loved ballet since I was a kid but was never able to. Now I'm going to start adaptive ballet classes while I can still do it. There will come a time when I'm in a wheelchair and I don't want to regret not doing the things I love. Videos like yours are so helpful for me as an aspiring dancer. Thank you for posting.

[@anthonyaguilar3949]

This is great! Ive been doing ballet since i was three and im 15 now but im just starting to get more serious. Ive been stretching my middle splits and that helps a lot

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I’m so glad 😃

[@Caitelen]

This was SO helpful, thank you!! 36 and picking up ballet again for the first time in a loooong while. Definitely relate to the hip thing and definitely don’t want to injure myself by forcing things. Appreciate this helpful video!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I’m so glad it was helpful. Thank you ☺️

[@joshualudkin-finnie23]

I've been doing ballet for 14 years (since I was 3) and I still can't get 180 degree turnout 😭

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

It's definitely harder for some people than for others. Depends on the teacher too if they place a lot of importance on it or not :)

[@tobyix1569]

Nobody can. No, seriously, not even pros. The good news are 1) You don't have to achieve it in order to dance, and 2) It's much more important to strive for good placement than "perfect" positions. On the contrary, forcing it beyond your possibilities will always result in injuries, to no avail whatsoever. Try Pilates-like abdominal control while pushing (not forcing!) your hip joints outwards, that will definitely help you stabilise, strengthen and control the abdominals/ lower back and glutes you need for a good turnout. YES, it's NOT only a matter of legs, you know..

[@fffran411]

I started last week and I’m 26 and I’m so so happy I’ve found your video cause I was thinking “I’m too old I can’t”

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

So happy to hear that! Hope you’re still enjoying your ballet 🩰

[@auj5901]

Im 26. Took my first class yesterday

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Amazing! I hope you enjoyed it! I was 26 when I started ballet again as an adult! :)

[@auj5901]

Natalie Danza Ballet hi Natalie can you explain what my ballet teacher means when she says change/no change? Something about even/odd counts on foot at barre from front/side/back. I tried to ask her multiple times and I still don’t get it. I feel I’m slowing down the class if I keep asking

[@ira_iz_kaira]

Gosh! That's SOOO helpful! Didn't notice how 18 minutes went by 😀 thanx!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Yay, I'm so glad it was useful! :)

[@atti567]

thanks for the great video😘 I’m an adult ballet learner for 4 years and still struggling to find our right feeling for turnout😭 your video will be a great help for me!!!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I'm so happy it was useful! Thank you so much for watching :)

[@gerbertela]

Thanks! This helped a lot, especially the stretches and explaining lowering your hip

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I’m so glad 😃

[@jennifermcintyre1556]

I'm 42 and I also found this really helpful. I know what you mean about that feeling in your muscle in developé :)

[@aclaar877]

Great video - the fact that you took turnout to the point of injury gives you special insight into it. Glad you addressed the difficulties holding turnout in plie and as you straighten the legs. I find I have the same problem. Question - would middle splits help turnout more if you worked to do a "pancake" stretch - putting your torso on the floor? I am 3-4 inches from middle splits, but my turnout is pretty bad in 4th and 5th positions especially, and even worse when legs are completely straight.

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you! Doing the middle splits / pancake stretch will improve your turn out in a plié of more than 45 degrees (i.e. a grande plié) or when you lift your leg above 45 degrees a la seconde but unfortunately doesn't have any affect at all on turn out with straight legs in any of the ballet positions. That is because it's not to do with the flexibility of the adductors but mainly it's affected by the length of tendons and ligaments around the hip joints. This can be improved but it takes much longer than stretching muscles and it needs to be done with more care. I hope that makes sense! :)

[@marymitchell5514]

Video was so helpful especially that of an adult ballet dancer. Loved it! Following all your videos.

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you so much Mary! :)

[@jackybee13]

This is wonderful! I’m 24 coming back to ballet after 6 years away, I really appreciate your explanation about limitations and where it is safe and possible to grow :)

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you! And welcome back 🩰✨

[@libertyrose4719]

Thank you! Very practical and useful information. Also inspiring and encouraging to hear your story. Please keep making your great videos :)

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you so much lovely ☺️

[@jamiechatel2770]

Great video! I am a ballet teacher, my students (and I) do struggle with the ever dread hip popping/crunching during our developes at the barre. Your talk was so on pointe for us (pun intended). We are going to practice the exercises you gave here in every class!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you so much Jamie! I hope the exercises have been helpful. 😘

[@lunarrose9290]

I totaly get what you mena by that feeling i felt like there was somthing wrong with me haha

[@amychristina3519]

This video was really helpful & encouraging, thanks Natalie 😊

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I'm so glad! thank you so much for watching :)

[@nirvanaaffirmations]

That was so so very helpful! Thankyou so much for sharing.

[@elizabethbasham8663]

This was very helpful, thank you so much for sharing!

[@amijacobs1440]

I love this post! I started adult ballet at the age of 29 (a lifelong dream finally fulfilled), &, although I most likely won’t get a perfect turnout, I am working on support & proper alignment!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

That's great Ami! It's not about having perfect turnout as an adult ballet dancer but about working with your body to make the most of the movement range you have and improving technique and performance. Best of luck with your ballet! :)

[@amijacobs1440]

Tamara Issa I’m quite a bit older now, & although I don’t have the flexibility or the endurance I might have had when I was younger, I have now been dancing for almost 20 years (that gives away my age), & the knowledge I have obtained, if I remember to use it, let’s me keep dancing & enjoying moving & understanding my body. I LOVE ballet!

[@louisejansenvanrensburg679]

Só extremely helpful! Thank you! Thank you so much!

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

Fantastic video! Smart.💕

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@Ritzy87]

Your so cool! Thank you for the video ❤

[@luisaorlandi401]

Thank you ❤ so so helpful!

[@belkyhernandez8281]

When I was in elementary school I could turn out and do fifth. I didn't take ballet. I was just playing with my friends who did and I copied them. (I was too shy and afraid of the ballet teacher to take lessons.) Now I am in my fifties. I finally want to study ballet but can't turn out and have trouble with all the positions. You give me hope something can be done.

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Yes, it's very possible to improve at any age! However you won't get back the movement range you had as a kid, but it's not necessary to become a great dancer :)

[@chibamoon6410]

most helpful part was seeing the muscle in your leg engage, i wasn't sure if i was targeting the right muscle untill i saw your defined ones, now i'm jelly....

[@roisinnigcrainn7722]

9:32 not in my knee, but I get that crunchy feeling in my ankles all the time!

[@noe11eism]

This was extremely helpful thank you!!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I’m so glad 🙂

[@nilasspasov8417]

I love your video and I am going to use this for my ballet beginner student at the university.

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

great :)

[@pamelavalverde1681]

Nice video ! Very helpful and interesting!!!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching :)

[@lisabonanno3839]

Very informative!

[@hannahb8367]

your turnout is really great, actually. A heck of a lot better than mine, and I danced from a very young age until about 20. I just have really naturally turned in hips ;(

[@moonswan5748]

How do you stop gripping your hips and find/activate the right muscles for extensions?

[@roisinnigcrainn7722]

Lie on your side with your legs perfectly straight. Whichever leg is on top, raise it into 2nd position parallel. Now, turn out your entire leg and turn it back in again. Do about 15-20 reps of this on each leg. Keep your hips square while you do this. This will help you to strengthen your hip flexors and to locate your turnout muscles. To stretch your hip flexors, go into a pre-lunge position, and tilt your bum inward (tilt your pelvis upward towards your ribs). You should feel a stretch in your hip flexors. Do this each day on both sides. Beyond that, I recommend getting your centre-split (if possible, as it will help) and just doing basic movements such as pliés and battements. You should start to see improvement within 14 days. Just remember not to push yourself too hard or you may end up injured. Much love from an 18-year-old beginner ♡

[@xochilguevara3429]

This was great, thanx!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I'm so glad it was helpful! :)

[@anikocsergo315]

Dear Natalie, Can you check the link for the middle splits video in the description? I was unable to open it. Thank you.

[@zixiong681]

Hi!! Thank you so much for this video, it really helped!

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

You're so welcome!

[@sibelleylaunal]

That was really helpful Thank you ❤️

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

You’re welcome 😊

[@EmmWood91]

You'd be surprised. I was a gymnast growing up, did a bit of ballet as a teenager (did a couple of years en pointe before I stopped). I've barely done ballet since. At 28 the progress on turnout in 6 weeks is ridiculous. But it was HARD work, theraband and manual stretching and wall stretching every single day for at least an hour

[@EmmWood91]

I wrote this near the start of the video, I'm now over half way and you covered the improvements that are possible as an adult further in so I'll let you off aha :)

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

I’m glad you had fast progress, I hope your hips adjusted well and you didn’t have any pain later ☺️

[@AyaaAcademia]

I am so happy and inspired to hear your dance story (I'm starting ballet and I'm almost 25 but i did few stints with cheerleading before). i have a question, is it possible to have one leg more turned out than the other (similar to how one of my legs is better at front splits than the other)?

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

thank you! Yes it's normal due to different strength and flexibility around each hip. Just keep working on it and they will start to even out. Best of luck! :)

[@danvlad1347]

Nice girl

[@yo-fc9qm]

I've also experienced that wierd thing

[@shaunlaws6521]

I my name is shaun but I would like to be called Shona the reason for that I wanted become a female so I could be a ballerina like Natelie so I could leotards and tights so I could be feminine and gorgeous stunningly hot and look sensual in everysence I wish I could have thighs ballerinas thighs no doubt about it and I wish I could look like her it mean so much to me I love her to teach me balket

[@NatalieDanzaBallet]

Everyone has their own unique and beautiful way of dancing! You can celebrate yours and keep improving :)

[@sissyboy6552]

When Baryshnikov dances Corsair in the movie The Turning Point - notice how he can whip his legs around - can you explain why Baryshnikov can do that while other ballet dancers can't?