Ballet Keeping Turnout?

Question:

Ballet Keeping Turnout?

I am currently on break for summer and I was wondering if you know any exercises to work on holding and keeping your turnout, say during grand battement, and developpe, that I could work on before I begin again in the fall. I know doing a standard barre warm up would help, but are there any target exercises that you know of? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Make sure you're not just attempting to make your feet in a straight line, but you are working your hip joints.

Walk around the house with your feet turned out. It's going to be very awkward but in time it will feel more comfortable and it will gradually become better.

Lay on your back and turn your feet out. Sway them back and forth (like a scissor kick) over and under each other 20 times.
Once you do this a while, put weights on your feet/legs.

Lay on your side on the ground. Have your legs on top of each other, heels together and back of legs together (similar to a turnout). Raise the top leg slowly up as far as you can and come down. Do this exercise 20 on each leg and then switch. Like the other, once you get the hang of it, put weights on your feet/legs.

Not only will these exercises help with your turnout and ballet, but it will also get you strong, which is very important for ballet and especially pointe. Keep doing your exercises at the barre with proper alignment. Stretch a lot and try to get a class during the summer. Good luck with your turnout!