The double turn, or rather the double pirouette, is one of the most representative steps of dance, especially of classical dance. Being able to do a double pirouette without feeling dizzy or falling is the result of balance and correct body positioning, as well as a good momentum to turn correctly.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Preparation
Step 1. Warm-up phase
Before doing any kind of pirouette, it is important to be trained to avoid injury. Warm up your neck, shoulders, arms, back, hips and legs before dancing by doing various stretching exercises.
Having an elastic and relaxed neck will allow you to better balance your weight when you need to do a double turn. The loose torso will help you stay firm and centered on the floor. The legs trained with stretching will provide you with the necessary support and you will avoid having cramps. The three most important parts of the body for the success of a pirouette are the neck, shoulders and legs
Step 2. Choose which foot will be the pivot
This side of your body will be referred to as the "pivot" foot, and the corresponding side, leg and arm will also be referred to as the "pivot" portion. The other side of your body will instead be referred to as the "lifting" side.
Step 3. Position your feet and hands correctly
Balance with the pivot foot in front of the lift foot, with most of your body weight concentrated on the pivot foot.
- Position your pivot arm at chest height, keeping your elbow bent but relaxed, so your pivoting forearm is parallel to your stomach.
- The lift arm should be extended directly to the side, in line with the torso, not too far back and not too far forward. This will be the main limb that will give you the strength to make the rotation.
Step 4. Find a fixed point in front of you at eye level
Keep your eyes fixed on this point throughout the entire movement.
- Practice doing a circular motion focusing on a certain point. Point your eyes to a point, such as a wall or a landscape in front of you. Keep your eyes fixed on that spot until the twisting motion forces you to turn your head.
- If your head is in line with the rest of your body, this movement will prevent you from getting too dizzy and losing your balance. However, even if you are firm and straight, it is still normal to feel a slight sense of dizziness while performing a double pirouette. To minimize this unpleasant sensation, keep your neck and shoulders relaxed by making a full circle with your head as quickly as possible. The faster your body turns, the easier it will be to perform the rotation.
Method 2 of 2: Performing the Double Pirouette
Step 1. Lift up with the lifting leg and bring the toe to the knee of the rotation leg
Raise your knee and arch your foot over the toe as you push, bringing your heel to the top of the knee of the rotation leg. You should now assume a curved position, almost like a "switchblade".
Step 2. Bring the lift arm forward
To give yourself the right momentum to spin, you need to raise the pivot arm to chest height, as if you are hugging a small beach ball against your abdomen.
Step 3. Extend the rotation leg
Contract the upper thigh, ankle, and knee of the rotation leg so that it is firm and pivotal for the pirouette. Stand on tiptoe on the pivot foot, keeping your toes relaxed and responsive to maintain proper balance during the pirouette.
The pivot you will rotate on is the sole of the pivot foot, which is the cushion of skin that sits just behind your toes. Do not turn directly on your toes; this would be practically impossible and incredibly painful, no matter how convincing and confident the professional dancers seem
Step 4. Focus your weight upward
Imagine that your weight is distributed as if on some sort of straight pole, from the sole of the pivot foot through the pivot leg and through the center of the torso to the top of your head. Just like in a top most of the weight is concentrated in the upper part, so you will have to try to do with your body.
Try to focus more on shifting your weight up rather than the twisting motion itself. The right momentum will help you to perform the double pirouette and, concentrating on staying as straight as possible, maintaining the correct position, will help you to stay better in balance
Step 5. Try spinning twice
When making the second round, try hitting the head by whipping it twice. As you slow down, bring your lifting leg to the ground and relax both arms at your hips at mid-chest to come to a complete stop. Slowly bring your feet back to the ground and let the momentum and weight of your body drop naturally to the floor.
The main difference between a double pirouette and a single one is precisely the amount of force you put on the pivot when you give yourself the momentum. It will take a lot of practice before you are able to do a double pirouette, but you will certainly succeed with time and consistency
Advice
- Practice balancing and lifting your body without doing any turns by doing steps 5 and 7 alone. Focus on strengthening the rotation leg and keeping the lifting leg in the correct position. Practice placing your arms in the correct position, but without turning, just to get an idea of how correctly they should be positioned when performing a real pirouette. Do you feel like you are falling forward? If so, try bringing your arms tighter to your chest and focus upward rather than forward. Keep your torso in line with your hips and rotation leg.
- Strengthening your abs is a great way to maintain good posture while rotating.
- Always keep your upper body straight and firm.
- Try taking dance classes for beginners, especially jazz, classical, or funky dance. This will provide you with the right foundation to perform a pirouette in the most correct and clean way.
- Instead of thinking about lifting yourself up, try focusing on pushing the front of your foot to the ground. This step will help you find the right balance. Obviously, make sure you are lifting on the sole of the foot and not directly on the toes.
