In the dance industry, turns are one of the most intricate things to perfect. Just to start off
with some brief ballet history, the style began during the Renaissance around the year 1500 in
Italy. One of the most difficult yet common turns derived from ballet is the a la seconde turn. An
a la seconde turn is a classical ballet term meaning “spin with leg to the side” or “spin with leg in
second position.” The dancer should be turning on their supporting leg with their other leg to the
side straightened and foot pointed. It can be done en dehors or en dedans, meaning the turn can
start outwards and turn inside or start inwards and turn away from. This turn may look super
simple and may look like not a lot of work at all, but it most definitely takes a lot of strength
from the core, leg muscle, and persistence and balance.
In all honesty, I had no idea what this term meant at first. It sounded like a French
dessert..Now I am in love with these turns, and the poise and grace and form that makes the turn
so effortless. Even though mine are far from perfect, I enjoy improving and bettering myself to
do multiple turns or rotations at once. Want to know more on how to accomplish this turn? Keep
reading friends!
The basics while turning:
● Spot while turning (look at an object to help you keep balance)
● Engage the core and straighten back
● Keep head up and balance yourself
● Stretch before attempting these turns so your muscles are nice and warmed up
What you need:
● A good turning space ( dance studio, kitchen, garage etc.)
● Preferably a sock or something that hugs the floor nicely yet is smooth enough to turn on
● Oh and if you have long hair, tie it up real tight so it doesn’t whip you in the face
● Yourself!
Now you’re ready!
The turn:
1. Prep the turn by bringing the turning leg to the side with arms straight out to the side
2. Curve arms in and bring the the turning leg to the back and plié (to bend)
3. Then open the leg while using the momentum and good core strength to allow you to lift
the turning leg to about a 90 degree angle from the floor while your standing leg bends
and straightens as you rotate.
4. Foot from supporting or standing leg relevés up (rises up) as the leg that is turning
rotates. (Be careful not to sickle or incorrectly stretch your foot as it can lead to injuries)
Make sure that foot is pointed and turned out!!
5. Arms should open when the leg is opening; arms should curve in like you are hugging a
beach ball while the leg is closing
6. Practice makes perfect so the more time taken to perfect it, the more rotations you can do
in the future.
Last but not least, HAVE FUN! :)
As a person who's dancing deficient, I appreciate this post. Dancing is not really something easily picked up by some. Until this year, I never really watched any school performances and never really understood how much work is put into it. Its really cool what you guys do each day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Andrew! Glad you liked the how to..Appreciate it
DeleteTori! This was so cute; I read it in your happy, excited voice. I remember trying to learn these from a YouTube video and how difficult they were. All your advice was very clearly explained and helpful. Good job :)
ReplyDeleteHey girl hey! Thank you..and thank you for slaying my life with your turns everyday I appreciate it :)
DeleteI must admit I am not a dancer, but this piece makes me want to try some moves out. I especially like the historic introduction. Great job.
ReplyDeleteI remember doing dance as a kid and I could never quite get the hang of it! This was super insightful and to the point.
ReplyDeleteThese instructions were very straightforward & easy to follow. I liked the historical background you included which gives the readers an idea of what it is and how important it is.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to try this. Your description for each step made it very easy to understand. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered how dancers turned like this and this makes me want to learn how. The steps are very easy to follow and really interesting, great job! -Sophia Cordura
ReplyDeleteThank you for this detailed instructions for this dance move. I can't dance at all but I still felt excited just reading this! I think a big part had to do with you incorporating French words in the instructions like "plie and en dedans" which made this just sound more authentic. Cool piece!
ReplyDeleteThis is so helpful because I've always wanted to turn like this and just shows how tricky a dance style can be.
ReplyDeleteHahaha this is so cute! I think this really shows people how hard dancers must work to gain this technique. Great job girl! -Lisa Ryu
ReplyDeleteI loved this. I remember being 10 years old and having my friend who was a dancer trying to teach how to do this turn and I could never do it. It hard, but your instructions give me hope!
ReplyDeleteWow, I've always saw the students who Dance in rallies and thought, that seems hard. Of course it still seems quite difficult, coming from someone who can't dance in the slightest, but you're instructions are very detailed and encouraging. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for teaching us a part of your expertise. This instructions were very good and I feel like just from reading it I can get up and do it perfectly right now. Very good job Tori!
ReplyDeleteReally cool piece. I am not the greatest dancer so its always great to learn a few moves here and there. I also liked your joke about the name sounding like a french desert because that's exactly what I was expecting when I read the title, I was pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDeleteYour easy instructions give me the confidence to try this even though I have very little confidence in my dancing abilities.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
How interesting! I’ve never really learned how to dance properly in my life… and reading the directions you gave, it sounds promising!
ReplyDeleteI have never been the best dancer, and don't know a lot about dance, so it was very interesting to read this piece! It is well written, and easy to follow! -Lauren J.
ReplyDeleteThe way that you have written and portrayed how interesting the history of ballet and proper definition of each term, makes me want to take up ballet again, haha. How you explained how to do each step and the excited/happy tone you put in it is really inspiring. Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteYesss Tori! I love how passionate you are about dancing. This aspired me to try a new kind of dance, great job!
ReplyDeletewow this was so informative and really cute! i actually tried it and fell like 4 times and kind of got it after that, warning you though its not very good at all i just don't fall lol! honestly though these instructions are very thorough and helpful! i have two left feet and i kind of got it, great job tor :)
ReplyDeleteI've always watched dance shows and wondered how they could do so many turns continuously, thank you so much for expaining! Hopefully I'll be able to do it and break a leg (hopefully not literally!)
ReplyDeleteI love how you wrote these instructions so clearly. I also like how you added a bit of history to it as well. I am definitely not a dancer, but I just might have to try this. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteYeah see this isn't happening for me, I wish I had dancing skills to pull this off. Thank you for sharing this piece I enjoyed the background information with it. This would've been funny to see at prom right? However good job detailing it.
ReplyDelete-Ruben Becerra
TORI HAI HCIKHIEPVNEINDVIP:H:ENVJ> HAHAHAHAH GIRLLLLL I NEED THIS, you already know I need to work on them a la secondes. But thank you for encouraging others to learn how to dance, I enjoyed the historical introduction. This piece was cute and whimsical and I hope others will be intrigues and learn how to dance. This is only the first step.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS CAPTAIN VINCE MUCH LOVE!!! there is always time to learn, you're right.
DeleteI've always been a fan of ballet and watching dancers turn in a way that looks effortless, but reading this I now know all the tiny details that do into a a la seconde turn and that, ironically, a lot of effort goes into making a turn seem effortless.
ReplyDelete-Austin Gomez
LOL GIRL, even though this was so easy to follow, I was thinking to myself, "Am I that talented to do it though LOL". I love the way you put this How to, because it's so easy for me to follow. Thank you!!
ReplyDelete-Vivian Chiang
I laughed so hard at, "It sounded like a French dessert," hahaha. Your humor and analogies (beach ball!) throughout this were great, and you're so motivating too! Great job Tori (:
ReplyDeleteThanks Vanessa you're too sweet, glad you liked it :)
DeleteI never realized how much went into dancing! I appreciate dance so much more after reading this.
ReplyDelete-Andre Burgos
Tori! i love you so much for this! i remember having to teach myself how to do secondes, i wish i had this guide at the time. good job sis!
ReplyDeleteThanks sis! I adore ya
DeleteOk so I got up and tried this turn lol and I give myself a 8 out of 10, your instructions were clear and easy to follow!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely just got up and tried this lol and definitely just failed! This piece is so cute a well explained! Great Job!
ReplyDeletetori, I specifically enjoyed your knowledge of the dance world. Great research skills for college lol. I used to dance when I was younger so as I was reading this I could literally picture myself doing it in my head. Great work !
ReplyDeleteAs a non-dancer these instructions make this turn seem very complex but manageable! I can't lie I do want to give this move a try soon. Nice Piece!
ReplyDeleteI love how detailed and light your instructions are! Even though I tried and failed, I will keep trying!
ReplyDelete