Turnout, means what?
This is a funny question because very often students hear from their peers, “turnout more”. But what exactly does this mean? surely this means if my feet are facing outwards then I am turning out right? but it is interpreted differently depending on who hears it. Often I ask a student, where do you turnout from, which area? It’s either one of four responses, the feet/ankles, knees, inner thighs and hips. In dancers, we actually use a combination of all of these areas for turnout, but mostly from the hips is where we want to feel it most. Why can’t we just push our turnout? well you can, and many dancers do. But what sets apart the dancers who make things look easy, whose technique is devine with controlled and flawless pirouettes, are those with strong turnout.
How do you know if you’re turning out properly? Here are a few tips:
1) Incorrect turnout can often result in pronation, or rolling in, of the ankles and feet. So, where are your feet in first and fifth position? these are the most revealing of all positions.
2) where do your knees track when you do a demi and grande plie? over the second toe throughout the whole range is the ideal place. If you’re not sure, video yourself and see.
3) try maintaining your turnout position in retire, if your balancing foot turns inwards, you have less turnout control than you thought.
4) where do you feel it? an old school test is to place a rolled up towel in-between your thighs and turnout in standing first position, without dropping the towel. You should feel your bottom muscles activating, this is where true turnout control comes from, gold stars! (see video on our Facebook page)
Turnout activation in sidelying
Incorrect turnout can sometimes result in overuse injuries of the knees and ankles, hip tension and lower back pain, and toe deformities eg. bunions. In combination with new pointe shoes, can put increased pressure on the toes, knees and hips, which further exacerbates these conditions. Make sure to touch base with a qualified dance physiotherapist who can help you achieve the goals you’re setting for yourself.
All the best
Sam