How to Dance - Pivot Turns

A traveling type of turn used in most dances. We'llright - keep your right leg in front of the left leg as
continue concentrating on your ability to swivel onyou turn. Lower left foot heel at the end of the turn.
the supporting foot.Put your right hand on the counter.
TURN EXERCISE 4 - PIVOT TURNSNow you are on your left foot with the right leg
(Print this page so you can try this exercise as youpointing forward and the counter on your right side.
read it).You are ready to step forward onto your right foot
This exercise will allow you to practice pivoting onand repeat the exercise.
the supporting foot, and traveling with your turns.Practice this exercise several times starting with
Stand with your right side next to a table or kitchencounter on your right side and pivoting to the right.
counter. Put your right hand on the counter. StandLater try the same exercise starting with the counter
with your feet together and your weight on your lefton your left side and pivoting to your left.
foot.As you get more proficient you can practice away
Take a step forward with your right foot - stretchingfrom the counter. Concentrate on keeping the spine
your left leg and keeping your left toe touching thestraight and both elbows at the same horizontal level.
floor. As your right foot becomes the supportingAllow your eyes to only look straight ahead at the
foot pivot 1/2 turn to the right - keep your left legend of each 1/2 turn, and eventually only look in the
behind your right leg as you turn.Put your left handdirection your pivots are traveling. This will stop the
on the counter.dizziness produced by looking around when your
Now you are standing with the counter on your leftturning (like a Merry-Go-Around effect).
side. Weight on the right foot and the left legPivots are fun to do and exciting to watch. They can
pointing backwards. Step back on the left foot andbe danced individually or in conjunction with a partner.
without dropping the left heel pivot 1/2 turn to the