Turn Out Discs - Are They Worth It?

Рет қаралды 3,225

Күн бұрын

My opinion on turn out discs! These a really useful for new students who are trying to access the rotators in the tops & backs of their thighs- to achieve and maintain proper turnout in ballet. Even someone who has no concept of 'turnout' can feel the burn in the correct muscles when they attempt to rotate their legs while standing on these swiveling discs.
About Me:
Hi, my name is Victoria! I’m a ballet dancer and teacher trained in the Vaganova method. I make instructional videos without sugar-coating the gritty details. I danced professionally as a freelancer, and in a contemporary company for several years in NYC. Due to the pandemic, I now reside in rural Pennsylvania. I'm a little salty because I struggle with chronic illnesses & invisible disabilities, but I try to keep it real and raise awareness...
FAQs:
Are you actually Russian?:
Yes, I’m technically a tiny bit Russian.
We always thought my mother was 100% Italian. But when she took the ancestry test, we learned she’s actually a bit Middle Eastern and Circassian (Southern Russia) as well!
Did you train in Russia?:
No, I did not attend ballet school in Russia.
But all of my instructors have direct lineage to the Vaganova Academy. I received a majority of my training from Ballerina Irina Lebedeva, as well as other former principal dancers from the Mariinsky Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.
What ballet academy did you attend?:
I never attended a formal ballet academy. All of my training is a culmination of public dance studios and open adult ballet classes that would run 2-3 days a week- with the occasional summer intensive. This is why I’m only about 85% competent in my execution and lessons. I just do the best with what i've got- The average American dancer might not notice this, but the Russian dancers definitely do!
Growing up near NYC, I took advantage of the most prestigious schools and teachers in the area, including; Gelsey Kirkland, Simon Kazantsev, Yaroslav Fadeyev, Katherine Healy, Leslie Browne, Lupe Serrano, and collegiate programs at American Ballet Theatre.
I did visit St. Petersburg and Moscow after I graduated college in 2012. I had the absolute honor of visiting the Vaganova Academy and observing some classes. I also took company class with Yacobson Ballet.
Where do you work as a professional?:
Since I got such a late start in my training, (and went to college right after high school) I didn’t join a company until I was in my late 20s. Until then, I was mostly teaching and freelancing. I did Nutcracker gigs, occasional guest appearances for studio productions, and entertainment gigs for high end parties. In 2019 I joined a contemporary ballet company in NYC. I left in 2021 when I moved to Pennsylvania. Now I teach in multiple studios in PA, but I'm trying to start my own ballet company.
What’s the story with your company?:
I’m the founder of Indigo Ballet, a collaborative, dancer-run company with no hierarchy. Currently, I’m working on building a repertoire of virtual performances (music videos) to show people what we have to offer. We will be performing for a live audience in Spring/Summer of 2024!
If you wish to donate towards this endeavor, funds will go directly to the dancers of Indigo Ballet. You can do so at- gofund.me/fe17...
Why do you talk about your chronic illnesses?:
Firstly, this is just the platform where I have the most outreach. I am passionate about raising awareness about hidden illnesses, also called “invisible diseases.” I feel these illnesses are especially relevant to the average ballet dancer since; The field is dominated by AFABs that frequently gravitate towards dance because of natural flexibility. This correlates to hyper mobility spectrum disorders and connective tissue disorders which are rarely diagnosed, and can lead to serious problems later. AFABs also have higher rates of autoimmune disorders and are most likely to have our pain dismissed, if we are not already hiding it for fear of being seen as unreliable or weak.
The ‘teacher’ in me wants to educate any chance I get. If my shared experiences can help a dancer get a diagnosis, early treatment and a longer, healthier career; why wouldn’t I talk about it?

Пікірлер: 12

@Interviewerkaoru Жыл бұрын

Would you please make a follow along exercise video using these discs? I just bought the same one on Amazon. I would watch it millions of times. ❤❤

@candycottrell6469 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the review, I need to look into this, my turnout is not so great as an adult ballet student.

@esstown Жыл бұрын

Wow. I think with a set of 4 discs, quite a few exercises at the barre can be fabricated en croix, involving retire, developpe and enveloppe, frappe, ronde de jambe en l'aire, etc. These look great! I've also had success when asking a student to "log roll" their thigh, especially with adults, who understand rolling logs, lol.

@candisw2604 Жыл бұрын

I have them and they have been a great investment!

@starmelodyelizabethb7380 Жыл бұрын

Abby from Ballerinas By Night has a video with turnout discs for Barre

@LizAshley Жыл бұрын

I wonder why these are $40 and turn discs (like for pirouettes) are only $10-$15?

@SaltySugarPlum Жыл бұрын

i think it depends on the quality of the product or materials. i have very cheap pirouette turn board, and i notice that it flattens under my foot, i get more friction and i don't turn very well. there are more expensive pirouette boards that stay much stiffer and probably give you a better result. i think it's the same with turnout discs (also, you are buying TWO of them as a pair, not just one- double the disc, double the price) but i have seen turnout discs that are much more expensive, but there are some more mechanics built in- like a very strong resistance inside, or even adjustable resistance! those are the high quality ones that i see in physical therapy & dance medicine offices.