The Physics of Fouettés

March 21, 2016

Fouettés are mysterious. When they’re on, they create a practically transcendental relationship between gravity and alignment, making everything feel effortless. But when they’re off, they’re way off. It can feel like you don’t know how to stand up, let alone turn.

There are a million different aspects of your technique to keep in mind, and even more ways to visualize a successful fouetté sequence. But when was the last time you considered the science behind the step?

This TEDx talk gets into the nitty-gritty of force, momentum and torque, explaining how your plié, legs and arms work together to sustain the turn. Sure, the narrator gives a cringe-worthy pronunciation of fouetté, but the clear explanation of angular momentum might be just what you need to pull in for that triple.

Check it out below!

 

For more news on all things ballet, don’t miss a single issue.