Challenge of the week: February 16th, 2015

Location: From the corner

Combination: Corner turns (en pointe, but I'm sure that's not what makes this difficult--in fact, it may be easier en pointe than in technique shoes)

Step: Piqué en dedans (single), piqué en dedans (single), double piqué turn en dedans with arms on the hips, taking up the same amount of time for this double as you did for both of the singles combined. 

I'm pretty sure the arms on the hips don't really matter either, but it does bring your "circle" inward and make it harder to turn slowly---like when you're on the twirly chair as a kid and you spin around really fast when you bring your legs in? 

Challenge: Stopping your turning momentum just enough to take up the full four (three, not counting the final plié) counts for two pirouettes without stopping it SO much that you don't get around.  It also helps if you alter the timing a little.  Usually for double piqué en dedans, the timing is to get AROUND right away.  USUALLY, the combination is single, single, double, single, and the challenge is getting your back around fast enough to do both turns before the 7, 8.  In this case, you almost have to piqué without turning, and then using your balance, spot, turnout, back, etc. to get around. 

Success?: It took me a couple of runs on both sides before I was able to consistently get it (to the right) and mostly get it (to the left).  

Tip: A. use your plié; B. do NOT let your turnout fail in the takeoff.  Nailing the turnout will help you both balance and time the "body pirouette."  C.  Timing thusly (counting a fast 8, rather than a 1 and 2 and):

1 pique pirouette 2 plie, 3 pique pirouette 4 plie,  5 pique 6 pirouette 7 pirouette 8 plie

In the "5 pique" it is kind of a slow half-turn, or at least it is the way I'm doing it.  I got this method to work on the left side (though not as consistently as on the right), so it can't be something I'm just "ramming through" on my strong side.