Deep Dives, Not Overwhelm

"Lower your leg in dégagé." You've said it hundreds of times, yet students keep doing low grand battements. The problem isn't the height—it's how they're executing the movement. Students using quads to lift can't moderate effort levels. Learn why slowing down dégagé (yes, really) builds correct technique faster than rushing through it incorrectly.

After 25+ years of teaching, I've learned that beautiful arabesque isn't something you suddenly achieve in center work—it's the natural result of systematic preparation that begins the moment students walk into your studio. Here's the complete warm-up progression that makes arabesque feel inevitable rather than impossible.

Your students have the strength and understand the mechanics, yet their pirouettes remain inconsistent. The missing piece isn't more repetition—it's intentional artistry training. When dancers control their eye-line during balances, their pirouettes naturally improve through enhanced spatial awareness and focus.

That frustrating 'clunk' in your students' rond de jambe? It's happening because they're playing connect-the-dots with ballet positions instead of moving smoothly through space. Here's how embracing 'the ugly place' transforms choppy ronds de jambe into flowing, effortless circles.

When students struggle with plié, it's rarely just about 'not bending enough.' Discover how to address misconceptions about hip, ankle, and knee coordination that create choppy, tense pliés.

Developing ballet turnout is a delicate balance. Push too hard and dancers get hurt; don't challenge enough and they never reach potential. Here are the systematic signs that guide safe turnout development.

Struggling to teach demi-seconde arm position to young dancers? Skip the technical explanations. These 5 imaginative cues (pirates, umbrellas, tutus!) secretly build perfect ballet technique.

Passing through fifth position in rond de jambe might seem helpful, but it's actually undermining your students' turnout development. Here's the center line approach that builds real strength.

When do students change feet in changement? This foundational jump has three valid teaching approaches. Here's when to use each method and why studio consistency matters more than picking the "right" one.

"Point your toes!" isn't helping your dancers. They need to point feet AND ankles. Here are 6 simple exercises that strengthen, stretch, and improve foot articulation in ballet students.

Is chassé different from gallop? Should it land in demi-plié or fondu? Here's why having a clear, consistent chassé method across your studio matters more than finding the "right" technique.

I don't think there's a magic trick that will automatically get every student to maintain turnout in piqué turns. It's just attention to det

Should you teach pirouette in cou-de-pied or retiré first? Learn why starting with cou-de-pied prevents lifted hip problems while building core strength. Discover systematic progression that creates technically correct pirouettes and maintains diversity in advanced training.

Which position should you teach pirouettes from at each level? Learn systematic progression from Beginning parallel through Elementary 1st, 5th, and 4th positions. Discover why teaching 5th before 4th creates stronger turnout habits and better technical development.

When should you start teaching pirouettes? Learn systematic progression from Beginning Division spins to Elementary en dehors/en dedans. Discover why teaching one direction first, coordinating across genres, and organizing turns by class (not unit) creates faster student progress.

Teaching frappé from flexed foot, wrapped cou-de-pied, or pointed position? All are correct, but consistency matters. Learn progressive approaches to frappé foot positions, from Elementary flexed feet through Advanced pointed variations, and why systematic progression builds stronger technique.

Think plié is just bending your knees? This common oversimplification is causing the gripping, shallow pliés, and hip flexor pain you see in your students. Discover why plié actually involves three joints working as a team, plus practical teaching strategies to transform your students' most fundamental movement into beautiful, tension-free ballet technique."