Many modern dance steps have their basis in ballet movements. Two such steps are the shinae turn and the picka turn.
The Shinae Turn - Modern Dance Steps
The shinae turn involves the eyes, the feet and the arms. Start with the eyes first. "Spotting" will help keep you from becoming dizzy as well as keep you moving in a straight line. Pick a spot on the wall on the opposite side of the room at eye height. Keep your eye on the spot as long as possible as you go into your turn. When you can no longer see the point, turn your head quickly around so that you can pick up the spot out of the corner of your other eye as you are turning. Continue to keep your eye on the spot as you complete the turn.
Next, tangle with your feet, although hopefully not literally. First, put your weight on your left foot flat on the ground and place the balls of your right foot at about a 90 degree angle and about a foot and a half away from your left foot. As you shift your weight to the right foot, place your left foot with the foot's heel almost touching the right foot's heel, heel up. Now, both feet have their toes on the ground and heels up. You are balanced on both feet. Turn on the balls of your feet and then left foot steps out to start the next turn.
Your arms start at about shoulder height in a closed circular position. As you start to turn, open your arms. Then return to the closed position as the turn finishes.
After you have practiced each aspect of the shaine turn, put all three movements together. You have completed the shinae turn.
Modern Dance Steps - The Picka Turn
The picka turn uses spotting and the same arm movements as the shinae turn. However, the feet move differently during the picka turn. Step onto the ball of your right foot with the heel in the air. As you shift the weight to the right foot, your left foot will push you into the turn and move towards the right knee to form a triangle, with the toes pointing towards the knee. This should force your left foot to be parallel to your right leg. Then, the left foot returns to the ground, toes first, followed by the heel.
 | The history of modern dance is a history of rebellion against restrictive forms. |
 | Modern dancing has taken a number of twists and turns, so to speak, since its inception at the beginning of the 20th century. |
Modern dance moves share a few things with their classical predecessors, but they offer a new challenge even to seasoned ballerinas. |
The origins of modern dance involve a group of visionary women. |
The modern dance still might be dangerous. To you. |
