What is an exercise you can do to improve turnout (ballet)?

Question:You need to locate your turnout muscles to start working on turning out from the hip, which will save your knees later on. Just stand normally and put one leg in front of you a few inches off the ground. Try to turn it out with pure muscle, making sure you don't twist your hips right or left. Keep them straight. The muscles you feel working are the muscles you need to ALWAYS use for turnout, and as you use them more, they will get stronger. You will also eventually form muscle memory so you don't even have to think about using those muscles to turn out.

You can improve your range of motion by stretching. The three main stretches I do for turnout are the butterfly, middle splits, and the frog stretch, which is the butterfly lying on your stomach. Another way to think about it is a demi plie but on the floor and on your stomach.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: You need to locate your turnout muscles to start working on turning out from the hip, which will save your knees later on. Just stand normally and put one leg in front of you a few inches off the ground. Try to turn it out with pure muscle, making sure you don't twist your hips right or left. Keep them straight. The muscles you feel working are the muscles you need to ALWAYS use for turnout, and as you use them more, they will get stronger. You will also eventually form muscle memory so you don't even have to think about using those muscles to turn out.

You can improve your range of motion by stretching. The three main stretches I do for turnout are the butterfly, middle splits, and the frog stretch, which is the butterfly lying on your stomach. Another way to think about it is a demi plie but on the floor and on your stomach.

The inverted pelvic thrust works... but you need a partner.

Your froggie.

You lay on the floor on your stomach. Then, bending your knees, touch the bottoms of your feet together. Then, as best you can, try to make it so that your feet touch the floor (keeping them pressed together).

Good luck!!!