ONE FOOT: Remember that in center floor and on stage, you will spend most of the time dancing on one foot rather than standing in a static position with both feet. Therefore, at the barre, make sure you’re securely balanced on your supporting foot, ready to push down and rise, and in complete control of the position or free leg.

Petit jeté, assemblé, brisé: Be careful that you don’t rely entirely on the brushing foot. Be sure you push the floor with your supporting foot so that your jump is airy and magical.

JUMPS: You want your legs to act like springs when you jump. When you prepare to jump, try to make your demi-plié almost isometric. Never relax into a deep plié that requires you to lift your body and pull your legs out of it. Try not to think of jumping with your knees and thighs. Put all of your energy into your feet and push the floor.

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Don’t give up. Stay in the game.

This moment is your past, present, and future

The music is never too fast—you’re always too slow. You’re slow because your head is low—get your ears back and stop leaning forward.

DEMI-PLIÉ AT THE BARRE: Most dancers tend to relax and sit low in their demi-plié which slows down their dance movements and lessens their jump. Good dancers actually minimize and purposefully work their demi-plié extremely carefully knowing that it has to propel their bodies upward in poses, turns, and jumps

Move it or lose it

Listen to your body. It always tells you what it thinks.

PIROUETTE FROM 5^TH POSITION: First, work into your demi-plié by clawing the floor with your toes and gripping with your feet. Coil your spine so you’re ready to release the turn. Simultaneously flick the floor with your front foot and pull those toes toward the arch of your supporting foot as you push down and relevé. Spot sharply. Your arms can either remain open in second, or closed in first. Think: TOES, EYES, ARMS.