I would like to know how other dancers have improved their turnout? I have read the article on foot positions found at this site's learning centre which states that the feet are turned from the ankle and therefore the knees face forward. When I have tried tp practice turnout I seem to be turning the whole leg and the thighs are kept close together. I seem to have better turnout with my right foot than my left foot. I would appreciate someone sharing their thoughts on this subject. Cheers Sandra

Hi I have found the feet turnout discussion under the Latin Forum. For anyone else interested there is good information from Don amongst the replies.

Sandra. I was told by a former professional champion only recently that some people physicaly can not turn the front foot out. The back one doesn't seem a problem. So if the back foot is turned out it will appear that the front is also turned out. Think about it, and don't worry , only you will know the truth. Having said that there could be a slight balance problem there, that's why the foot is suppose to turn out.

Hi Don, you are so helpful. I have had a friend say to me that the turnout issue could be related to my shoes. I think it also has something to do with balance as I have a tendancy to roll to the outside of my feet eventhough I am trying to keep the pressure on the inside edge of my foot. I can make the conscious effort to stay on the inside and I have come along way from when I first started. I wish I could get the turnout concept (and feel) right in my mind as I might be trying too hard. My friend also things I lower too much into my bent leg for the Samba which distorts the balance and puts my weight too far forward. So this balance aspect is not as easy as it sounds when you get past "bronze" and start appreciating what it takes to dance and the various styles. Cheers Sandra

Sandra. Weve been through this one before. But just to repeat Samba. If you were in a room with a low ceiling your head will never go up through the ceiling. Because as you as you bend the knees so you raise the heels, you are still the same height. And as you straighten your knees you lower your heels. Your head is still touching the ceiling. Just check that your body tick is forward to backward and not side to side. If you are bending the knee too much you probably popping up and down. Once there was a real bouncy action in the Samba . It is now gone. The most important thing is to develope that elusive body tick. Who said the Samba was easy.

Thanks Onlooker, it is good to revisit some basic concepts. They become clearer for me each time I revisit. My dance teacher said he was happy with the tic yesterday however he wants more length in the step. He feels that I am cutting my movement short and hence not acvhieving the fuller movement of the pelvis action. You mentioned the change in te4chnique from bounce-like action to a more forward movement. This I have heard before and it is was most helpful as some of the videos are old and still teach the bounce. So now I am still working on feet turnout with tighter thighs and am trying to achieve better balance (especially for the Rumba) and greater stride for the Samba. Cheers Susan