Day 21: Pique Turns -

Today’s turns are another example of a ballet turn, but honestly they are pretty much the same as what we did yesterday. So just give them a try and if you don’t like them you never have to do them again!! I find them to be lots of fun and a great turn to practice in order to work on my stability and balance on one leg.

They are easier than pirouettes, in my opinion, so I hope you guys find the benefit in practicing these as well. I want you to think of these as just a different variation from the travel turns we did yesterday. The steps are essentially the same. The only difference is that you will pick up the foot that comes behind the leading foot and place it in pasé position (with the foot behind the knee) before putting it back down to complete the turn. That is all. Just pick up the foot. If you have trouble picking it up to pasé just keep it by your ankle, but I want you to try and lift it completely off the ground. Make sure you point your toes when you lift it off the ground!!!

Remember:

Keep your feet turned out. Also when your foot is lifted, keep the lifted leg turned in pasé (or by your ankle)out as well.
Make sure that you are spotting. This is ESSENTIAL for these turns, just like yesterday.
Don’t stick out the booty. Keep the abs engaged and the body aligned and centered over your turning foot. Keep the shoulders down and engaged.
Make sure you are coming up to the ball of your foot when you are turning. That will help you engage your standing leg.
Try it out in both directions with the left foot leading and rotating to the left and then with the right foot leading and rotating to the right.

I hope you like these turns! I love them, I just think they are so much fun and they look really nice.

Shoes are@burjushoes “La Alemana” #salsaspins #salsachallenge #doyouburju #keepgoingstrong #dontquit #balletinheels #dance #danceeveryday #salsa

Written by: Isabel Freibeiger
Video by: Isabel Frieberger