Gesturing leg in turns

Legs should always be turned out.
Foot of working / gesturing leg should be en pointe whenever it is freed from floor support.
For 4th position turn,  gesturing leg should be behind, in wide and low plie.

Ballet - spiral upward
Imagery: Like the spine to top of head, hip of gesturing leg should lift vertically as high as possible.
1. Gesturing leg lifts off the floor from ball of the foot.
2. For retire turns, gesturing foot is drawn toward the knee of the opposite leg and touches the knee during the turn.

Modern floor work - spiral downward
1. Lunge supporting leg forward.

2. As auxiliary balancing support, the hand that is opposite (to the supporting front lunge leg) reaches for floor space a hip width adjacent to the front supporting foot.

3. As one turns from 4th position, gesturing knee slips under the supporting leg.

4. Flip the back of the gesturing foot (脚背) toward floor for auxiliary support. I.e., body weight rests on back of gesturing foot which is now against the floor instead of the ball of the foot.

5. Change center of gravity to opposite leg by sitting on its outer thigh.


Turns on the floor are mainly on one's hip and outer thigh. Auxiliary support is provided by the hand, as well as the back of the opposite foot.  This is different from upright turns, which are supported by the ball of the foot.