Ballet Lessons : How to Do a Fouette

To do a fouette turn in ballet, stand on one leg with the opposing leg opening and closing in a second position, with the arms moving from front first position to second in unison with the legs. Keep the supporting leg straight and high on the demi point of the toe for a fouette with help from an experienced dance instructor in this free video ballet lesson.

Expert: Lauri Gregoire
Bio: Lauri Gregoire is the owner and director of the Bellevue Dance Center.
Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge

[reesyluvsu]

i am soo good at these!! i can do like 30! my teacher says im a good spotter... the trick is to go kinda slow at first and when u start to feel a little dizzy slow it down a little more than go back to the original pace u started at...i recommend this for ppl that actually no how to do these turns. its really fun!

[nightingale]

An excellent collection of instruction !!! You are a wonderful teacher. I am a senior and a wheelchair user and after seeing your work I have become passionate about adaptive ballet --- it is an exceptional mental and physical therapy
Thank you: Nightingale

[STARTGIRL]

This move was done by my brain rather than by my body when the time came to execute it i already knew what my body had to do and then my body just listened to me and did it thanks again

[sweetpeaable]

Ive been doing this turn for years, it is easy as you practice a lot.

[hankypanda]

You explain well and make it look so easy. I find it so hard to gain momentum to do multiples even when I was in shape. I’m weak and slow lol. it’s cool that ballet is so cumulative so stronger barre work makes stronger floor work. 💕 this inspires me to find an adult studio. I need to move again!

[hilla]

your balance and spotting are very impressive! it also shows how determined you are to reach a goal once you set it, which is a great quality for a dancer. However, I don't feel that you really implemented your feedback. You close your leg too early into passé- you need to have it open to a clear la second position before you get it back to passé. This could help you a lot, and it'll also look better. Try to look at some professional dancers doing fouette. Anyway, great job :)

[cowlitssLOL]

"remember spotting is important"

I SAW NO SPOTTING IN THIS VIDEO LOL

[STARTGIRL]

Thank you very much thanks to you i have done now my first fouette i am very excited it took me about 3 months to make this move thanks a lot

[chanel_pearls]

K people, listen up. You guys need to STOP hating on her. This video was made over 8 years ago, chances are, she's improved a lot (Unless she quit ballet).

[ellemiaj]

Vagona is a russian style of ballet technique. As I'm sure that you are aware, there are other styles of ballet technique such as cecchetti technique which is Italian. You also have Bournonville which is a Danish adaptation of french, russian, and italian styles. I don't think saying she isn't fit to show fuettes is a bit outrageous.

[phlambert]

I started ballet when i was 2 1/2 !!! im now 11 and on pointe. i got into the final of this RAD awards

[ebdancer]

@Naruth in ballet your thumbs are supposed to be "hidden" behide your closed hands. i dont really know how to explain it...the best i could!

[elinaq]

thanks, i've got it i isn't that difficult !!!
u have think on a lot of things the basis from a pirouette- spotting, bent leg, your arms - when you keep practicing every day you will get it in a week ( not perfect but I can turn twice now)

[trappedinside]

Her turns are good, which was the point of this video, but back to the basics. Her fingers are touching and her thumbs aren't tucked, and with each rotation, her shoulders would rise up. That's poor technique. It's like she skipped over the basic training and jumped into advanced turns!

[droundyCubby]

I took from teachers who had studies all over from England USA and Russia. ONe thing I learned is that each had her own idea of where the hands should be and all were beautiful.

[calmlcism]

@yleineping Make sure your supporting leg is bent when raising your leg straight in front of you. When rais ed in front, foot is flat, then rise on tippy-toes after.

[VinniePrisbrey]

@Hannieexx01 Technically your working leg goes out to the side and then closes to a passe back and quickly beats to the front. The closing of the leg into passe and the releve on the standing leg happen at the same time. The other way people do them is by opening the working leg to an ecarte front position with the leg still bent, then straightening it to the side at the same time you reach your deepest plie then pulling the leg straight into passe front. Those are the technical definitions

[RubyLocknar]

u all need to stop posting hater comments! this helped me alot!

[Haileyb]

I'm having a lot of trouble with mine too but my teacher suggested standing at the bar and practicing the movements without actually turning and eventually try it in center, still not turning, and then when you think you're strong enough start practicing the turns.

[SvmmerSoulstice]

You are I wish I could take dance classes. :[