Kathryn, I HAVE to THANK YOU! Recently, I found myself unexpectedly struggling with a simple double pirouette. Part of this is because the pirouette is on my weaker side (I'm naturally a lefty dancing a righty world). However, even on my weaker side, I can usually execute a decent double pirouette. The fact that I was consistently falling out short of two rotations was extremely embarrassing personally, plus it ruined the unity onstage. I was mortified that I was sticking out and not in a good way. I turned to the internet for help. I had already watched several videos and read countless blogs with tips for improving pirouettes when I stumbled upon your videos. I actually watched your video on turns and pirouettes first. It mentioned many of the same tips I'd already researched: alignment, prep, lifting, pushing, spotting, etc., but NONE of it was working. Helpless, I decided to go back to the very basics and see if I couldn't improve by focusing on my balance instead of my pirouettes. That's when I came across this video. And it MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. It is the suggestion you give about the shoulder. Locking the shoulder of the lifted leg back and into place. I implemented that tip and I have been able to execute a clean double every performance since. I've now watched several of your videos. They are terrific! I really feel like I'm getting helpful tutelage. But, I MUST thank you for this video in particular. Rather than being anxious and dreading that moment onstage, I can execute consistently. I feel in control rather than the other way around. It has restored my confidence and that is priceless. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Every time I come back to this video, I feel I'm learning something new. This was published when I just started ballet as an adult. It helped me a lot.
You have no idea how much the passe trick saved me, I have an extremely high arch and it’s caused a lot of problems when balancing; your tick really helps
could you please do a technique tip video on turnout? I can't seem to engage the correct muscles even just standing, and i feel like i'm always using my quads for developpes and keep turning in during pirouettes>
Hi could you do a video on spotting for turns please? :). btw it's super cool how you care how you seem super down to earth and really care about everyone being able to dance. sometimes it seems like professionals can seem a little snotty about that. but i could def see you being a cool teacher to have. and a cool ballet class buddy in general too (which we probably would never be in)
thank you sooo much mrs kathryn!!! this video was SO helpful, and it improved my balances and turns RIGHT AWAY, and I could balance for so long!!!!!! thank you 😍😍😍
I'm loving your videos, so happy I subscribed. I'm mostly a contemporary, jazz and hip hop teacher, I'm traveling to tn to teach dance at a studio and they asked if I could teach ballet. I have trained in ballet for years but it's been a while so watching your videos have really helped me refresh and will help me become a better teacher for ballet. so thank you so so much!
I can't actually believe how much this video has helped me! I watched it when I first came out and somehow I've been applying your tips without realising but today, I did a one footed releve en pointe and held it for a good 5 seconds in the middle of my variation. I felt like I could have stayed up there all day!haha! Thanks so much Katie! Xxxx
Kathryn, I'm not a professional ballet dancer by any means, I just do it for fun. But I find that with my arabesques, I have trouble balancing. Here is what happens when I have the whole foot down: 1) I raise my leg and lower my body so that my legs are at 90 degrees from each other or close to it 2) Arms outward 3) I try to sustain it as long as I can without pain And as I sustain that arabesque, my supporting foot, the one that is on the floor, shakes and I feel unsteady. I can still sustain it for quite a while when my entire foot is on the floor, I just feel unsteady doing so because all that weight is being supported by only one leg and the arabesque position centers the force of my weight on the foot. If I try to do an arabesque demi pointe(closest I can get to en pointe without ballet shoes), I fall backwards within like 3 seconds and I just have to put my other leg down to catch myself, so as to not be injured. I can't do it demi pointe, not yet anyway. Any advice on how to get my supporting foot to stop shaking when I do an arabesque so that I can progress to doing it demi pointe? I have gotten better at sustaining an arabesque since last year, but my foot still shakes when I do it. What if I have to do an arabesque right after a jump as I often see when a ballet dancer does a grand jete? I could fall if my supporting foot doesn't stop shaking in the arabesque position.
I could never figure out why my balance kept throwing me off. I was subconsciously poking my butt out trying squeeze. The second you pointed that out I could posse without a single wobble. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Wow this was so helpful! I have been completely unable to balance in passe and I wasn't sure why, but as soon as I lock that shoulder back, I can stay there all day!! Thanks Katie!!
I love hearing your tips! I've been applying your develope tip about concentrating on the standing hip and I've really felt a difference! I would love to her your tips for jumps en pointe- I really struggle with those!
Katie, thank you sooooooo much for all of your time and effort put in to this, I know it must be taxing...well I can't even begin to imagine. Especially thanks for not wanting anything in return, it is rare to find people like that and I am glad to have your help. Lastly, could you do a video solely on spotting, I'm getting better but need lots of help. Thanks!
Thank you so much! Quick question for your Q n' A posts: Any tips on how to keep yourself from thinking too much and psyching yourself out? I work really hard at stuff at home and get it. Then its like I'm so excited in class to show my instructor and I fall apart.
1. Thank you so much for this one! 2. And, I just realized that Tuesday and Thursday have become my favorite days of the week! :* (sorry for any spelling mistakes)
Your videos are really helpful! It would be super cool if you did a video of kinda ballet 101. Basically things like head placement for different things, arms placement and technical things every ballerina needs to know but wasn't necessarily taught in class :)
I can't believe I hadn't watched this video yet! I tried what you recommended and it really helps instantly! Thankyou:) Also, I was wondering what kinds of muscles I should strengthen and excercises I should do to imporve my turns. I have a lot of trouble with them and just doing them over and over again doesn't seem to be doing much. Any advice is appreciated:)
Can you make a video guide for someone that is starting ballet. I am going to ask my Mum for ballet lessons for my 14th birthday and I was wondering if you have any tips for someone starting at a later age.
Glad to find you. This vid should be as helpful as your pirouette one- it truly helped after watching once- i kid you not! Thank you for helping! (I'm always told " don't leave your shoulder behind!" But didn't really understand how to fix it? You helped me FIX IT!
Thanks for all these technique videos! I'm an adult beginner and chasse is my nemesis. My front foot won't stay turned out as I slide it forward. And I feel really unbalanced. I would love it if you could do a tutorial on chasse.
It really works. Thanks a lot. I have a suggestion for new videos. Could you make a video about what you do for practice when you are not on the dance floor? For example, I'm too busy to get time to dance but I do balance practice when I'm chopping stuff in the kitchen. It will be very fun to share that. :)
excellent videos Kathryn, thank u!I wonder if you could give us some information abt different ballet schools and styles/Balanchine//Russian//French//English...Or am I asking too much?It would be very interesting though.
This helps me so much! Do you have a video with attitude turns, arabesque turns (pique too) and such? Also, does the arabesque tip work for attitude balance?
I'm not Kathryn, but a good way to improve stamina is cardio? Like try running or swimming more so you can train yourself to breath easily. That's just a bit that I know :)
I'm making a home studio in my basement and I was wondering where you got your flooring from I can't find any good ones where I live ps I love your videos:)
Hey Kathryn, I want to learn next year at the royal ballet school in Antwerp (international student). Because I can't come to audition I need to submit a DVD audition. Can you please give any tips on that?
What if I am falling forward in posse? I can hold it without being in releve, but when I go up, I am falling forward, and slightly to whichever side I am lifted in. The shoulder tip is good and I am falling less to the side, but still falling forward.
What if your tush is a bit on the big side and can't really tell if there is a difference between your regular standing position, arched back, square hips, or shoulders, or hunched back and waist?
Not sure why RUclips put this in my feed (probably the all seeing computer overlord saw me dancing in my basement and knows how much I struggle with balancer :D), but so glad it popped up. I just subscribed! (Wanted you to know an old video got you a new subscriber who is an old person, but new dancer so that seems appropriate :D )
Kathryn, I HAVE to THANK YOU!
Recently, I found myself unexpectedly struggling with a simple double pirouette. Part of this is because the pirouette is on my weaker side (I'm naturally a lefty dancing a righty world). However, even on my weaker side, I can usually execute a decent double pirouette. The fact that I was consistently falling out short of two rotations was extremely embarrassing personally, plus it ruined the unity onstage. I was mortified that I was sticking out and not in a good way.
I turned to the internet for help. I had already watched several videos and read countless blogs with tips for improving pirouettes when I stumbled upon your videos. I actually watched your video on turns and pirouettes first. It mentioned many of the same tips I'd already researched: alignment, prep, lifting, pushing, spotting, etc., but NONE of it was working.
Helpless, I decided to go back to the very basics and see if I couldn't improve by focusing on my balance instead of my pirouettes. That's when I came across this video. And it MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
It is the suggestion you give about the shoulder. Locking the shoulder of the lifted leg back and into place. I implemented that tip and I have been able to execute a clean double every performance since.
I've now watched several of your videos. They are terrific! I really feel like I'm getting helpful tutelage. But, I MUST thank you for this video in particular. Rather than being anxious and dreading that moment onstage, I can execute consistently. I feel in control rather than the other way around. It has restored my confidence and that is priceless.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
What kind of magic is this?!?! I have watched you for like two days and already improved so much! Thank you for your tips :)
Every time I come back to this video, I feel I'm learning something new. This was published when I just started ballet as an adult. It helped me a lot.
You have no idea how much the passe trick saved me, I have an extremely high arch and it’s caused a lot of problems when balancing; your tick really helps
Dearest Kathryn, it's not enough words to express my gratitude for all your videos, and tips...
I'm 28, never danced, being going to dance-theatre class for 2 yrs. These videos are very helpful!
could you please do a technique tip video on turnout? I can't seem to engage the correct muscles even just standing, and i feel like i'm always using my quads for developpes and keep turning in during pirouettes>
Hi could you do a video on spotting for turns please? :). btw it's super cool how you care how you seem super down to earth and really care about everyone being able to dance.
sometimes it seems like professionals can seem a little snotty about that. but i could def see you being a cool teacher to have. and a cool ballet class buddy in general too (which we probably would never be in)
Craig Zombar Aww thanks Craig. Yes- I never want to come across being snotty! So I am so glad I don't! And yes- spotting is a great video suggestion!
thx for replying. keep being awesome/chill/helpful c:
thank you sooo much mrs kathryn!!! this video was SO helpful, and it improved my balances and turns RIGHT AWAY, and I could balance for so long!!!!!! thank you 😍😍😍
What's the story on that closet full of new pointe shoes? That looks pretty awesome!
Linda Harrison Those are all of my custom shoes from New York City Ballet. :)
Linda Harrison LOL
I'm loving your videos, so happy I subscribed. I'm mostly a contemporary, jazz and hip hop teacher, I'm traveling to tn to teach dance at a studio and they asked if I could teach ballet. I have trained in ballet for years but it's been a while so watching your videos have really helped me refresh and will help me become a better teacher for ballet. so thank you so so much!
I can't actually believe how much this video has helped me! I watched it when I first came out and somehow I've been applying your tips without realising but today, I did a one footed releve en pointe and held it for a good 5 seconds in the middle of my variation. I felt like I could have stayed up there all day!haha! Thanks so much Katie! Xxxx
Thanks Kathryn!! Made such a difference!
This has truly changed my dancing. Thank you so much!!!
Kathryn, I'm not a professional ballet dancer by any means, I just do it for fun. But I find that with my arabesques, I have trouble balancing. Here is what happens when I have the whole foot down:
1) I raise my leg and lower my body so that my legs are at 90 degrees from each other or close to it
2) Arms outward
3) I try to sustain it as long as I can without pain
And as I sustain that arabesque, my supporting foot, the one that is on the floor, shakes and I feel unsteady. I can still sustain it for quite a while when my entire foot is on the floor, I just feel unsteady doing so because all that weight is being supported by only one leg and the arabesque position centers the force of my weight on the foot.
If I try to do an arabesque demi pointe(closest I can get to en pointe without ballet shoes), I fall backwards within like 3 seconds and I just have to put my other leg down to catch myself, so as to not be injured. I can't do it demi pointe, not yet anyway.
Any advice on how to get my supporting foot to stop shaking when I do an arabesque so that I can progress to doing it demi pointe? I have gotten better at sustaining an arabesque since last year, but my foot still shakes when I do it. What if I have to do an arabesque right after a jump as I often see when a ballet dancer does a grand jete? I could fall if my supporting foot doesn't stop shaking in the arabesque position.
YOU ROCK
+Gemsy Davison I am so glad this helped you!
Love your videos! Its helping me a lot as an adult beginner
joanne gonzalez Thank you! I am so glad!
I could never figure out why my balance kept throwing me off. I was subconsciously poking my butt out trying squeeze. The second you pointed that out I could posse without a single wobble. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
This helped me so much I will practice every day until I feel like I can do it THANK YOU SO MUCH
Wow this was so helpful! I have been completely unable to balance in passe and I wasn't sure why, but as soon as I lock that shoulder back, I can stay there all day!! Thanks Katie!!
Megan, I want to thank you so much for the ballet classes. You are an inspiration to me.
I'm a skateboarder which has often been defined as violent ballet. Using these videos to try and figure out how to improve.
I literally have never balanced well until watching this video! Thank you! 😍
Can you do a video on beginner pointe exercises
The Ballet Page Yes I will!
+Kathryn Morgan Yay!!
I love hearing your tips! I've been applying your develope tip about concentrating on the standing hip and I've really felt a difference! I would love to her your tips for jumps en pointe- I really struggle with those!
I've just gotten so much help from there Imrovement videos, thank you Katy!
This couldn't have come at a better time! I'm going en pointe this fall, and I'm working on my balance, so this will help tremendously!
Katie, thank you sooooooo much for all of your time and effort put in to this, I know it must be taxing...well I can't even begin to imagine. Especially thanks for not wanting anything in return, it is rare to find people like that and I am glad to have your help. Lastly, could you do a video solely on spotting, I'm getting better but need lots of help. Thanks!
THANK YOU!! balancing is my weakness, it's the first time I was able to balance in passe
Thank you so much! Quick question for your Q n' A posts: Any tips on how to keep yourself from thinking too much and psyching yourself out? I work really hard at stuff at home and get it. Then its like I'm so excited in class to show my instructor and I fall apart.
You are an amazing teacher. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us.
1. Thank you so much for this one!
2. And, I just realized that Tuesday and Thursday have become my favorite days of the week! :* (sorry for any spelling mistakes)
Thank you Kathryn!! Your videos are so helpful - I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into teaching 💟
This has been so helpful to me. Thank you!!
Your videos are really helpful! It would be super cool if you did a video of kinda ballet 101. Basically things like head placement for different things, arms placement and technical things every ballerina needs to know but wasn't necessarily taught in class :)
I tried the tip by bring the shoulder, I balanced 3 minutes thank you and great job :)
I can't believe I hadn't watched this video yet! I tried what you recommended and it really helps instantly! Thankyou:) Also, I was wondering what kinds of muscles I should strengthen and excercises I should do to imporve my turns. I have a lot of trouble with them and just doing them over and over again doesn't seem to be doing much. Any advice is appreciated:)
i am a self taught dancer and i never heard balance being broken down like this! omgosh! it really does help thank you so much! I'm Subscribing ASAP!
BreezyTV I am so glad this helped you!
Amazing, am definitely going to try the shoulder trick in my class on Monday!
What about passe on releve. Can you give some tips about that too?
That made so much sense and really works! Thanks so much.
Can you make a video guide for someone that is starting ballet. I am going to ask my Mum for ballet lessons for my 14th birthday and I was wondering if you have any tips for someone starting at a later age.
Thank you so much for sharing all you knoweldge.
I write from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
This was SO helpful! I've struggled with balancing for a long period of time, but this has helped a lot! :)
Thanks! I tried the tip pushing the floor away and it has helped me since! c:
This helped me so much! Thanks,Katie!!
just wanted to say that these tips helped me so much, thank you!
I'm so glad!
omg my susu improved instantly by 300% :D thanks a ton! i have to try all your other tipps as well. really helpful channel
These have been the most helpful tips for balance. Thank you so much! Are there anymore tips.
thank you thank you thank you! This is exactly what i need!
This video helped a lot, thanks so much!
Wow awesome tips! Just what I needed! Thank you SO MUCH
Love this video! I use these tips in every class, thank you!
I love your videos! There are so helpful! Thank you so much!
could you do a video on how to improve leaps like keeping your legs straight etc
Glad to find you.
This vid should be as helpful as your pirouette one- it truly helped after watching once- i kid you not! Thank you for helping!
(I'm always told " don't leave your shoulder behind!" But didn't really understand how to fix it? You helped me FIX IT!
Oh thank you so much😍😍😍
My pirouettes have become so much better and safer. Instantly! Love your channel.😇🙈
Omg it really really works!!!!! Thanks a million!!!!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Thanks for all these technique videos! I'm an adult beginner and chasse is my nemesis. My front foot won't stay turned out as I slide it forward. And I feel really unbalanced. I would love it if you could do a tutorial on chasse.
It really works. Thanks a lot.
I have a suggestion for new videos. Could you make a video about what you do for practice when you are not on the dance floor? For example, I'm too busy to get time to dance but I do balance practice when I'm chopping stuff in the kitchen. It will be very fun to share that. :)
OMG. love your video. I'm having trouble with this for so long
tips are very useful!!!!!thanks a lot
Wow that is amazing and helped me so much
Thank you this was really helpful 😊😊😙😙
Whoa! Thank You!!!!
This was literally amazing help thanks so much :D
wowww you're amazing! This is so helpful!!!
This is just what I needed!!!!! Thank you!
This is so useful ❤️
excellent videos Kathryn, thank u!I wonder if you could give us some information abt different ballet schools and styles/Balanchine//Russian//French//English...Or am I asking too much?It would be very interesting though.
This helps me so much! Do you have a video with attitude turns, arabesque turns (pique too) and such? Also, does the arabesque tip work for attitude balance?
Very helpful thank youuu
Great video!!
Can you do a video to improve turnout? It would help me so much for the RAD exam!
Could you maybe do a variations video? or something about how to keep a high stamina when performing?
I'm not Kathryn, but a good way to improve stamina is cardio? Like try running or swimming more so you can train yourself to breath easily. That's just a bit that I know :)
Swimming is great cross-training for ballet, but don't start running! There is too much impact on your knees, and you get shin splints.
I just started trying to improve my balance, But I need to know some stretches for it.
Could you make a video on improving stage preformance or a good prep for a show
Jessica Berry-Falb Yes!
Thank you :)
I LOVE THIS CHANEL! Im subbing! :D
I'm making a home studio in my basement and I was wondering where you got your flooring from I can't find any good ones where I live ps I love your videos:)
For some reason, I’m balanced when I tondu to the front and side, but when I go to the back, I completely lose my balance. I really hope this helps
Hey Kathryn, I want to learn next year at the royal ballet school in Antwerp (international student). Because I can't come to audition I need to submit a DVD audition. Can you please give any tips on that?
What if I am falling forward in posse? I can hold it without being in releve, but when I go up, I am falling forward, and slightly to whichever side I am lifted in. The shoulder tip is good and I am falling less to the side, but still falling forward.
you are amazing ans so helpful Kathryn!!!!
What if your tush is a bit on the big side and can't really tell if there is a difference between your regular standing position, arched back, square hips, or shoulders, or hunched back and waist?
I looooooooveeeee
Her: no one falls this way
Me: always falls that way
I sometimes pretend my feet are in cement blocks like I literally picture it in my brain it really helps
Please indicate ballet strech the primary
My teacher always says stomach up butt down and energy into the ground has well as up in the air
And what about breathing in balance position ? :) :) p.s ur amazing ❤️
Not sure why RUclips put this in my feed (probably the all seeing computer overlord saw me dancing in my basement and knows how much I struggle with balancer :D), but so glad it popped up. I just subscribed! (Wanted you to know an old video got you a new subscriber who is an old person, but new dancer so that seems appropriate :D )
Thank you so much Tammy! Welcome! ❤️
My toes always scrunch when I rise. How do I get rid of that?
0 dislikes!!! yaaaay!!!
WHY DO YOU TALK SO LOUD
WOW you are amazing! I'm so glad I found you!