Sugano System Ballet

Getting to the Point: What Can Go Wrong (And Why)

or, Everything You Thought You Knew About Pointing Your Foot, Part Two

May 12 • Arleen Sugano

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April 2026

Getting to the Point: How to Actually Point a Foot

or, Everything You Thought You Knew About Pointing Your Foot, Part One

Apr 28 • Arleen Sugano

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Your Feet Are Smarter Than You Think

Your foot is a remarkably complex structure — 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments — all working together every single time…

Apr 14 • Arleen Sugano

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March 2026

The Truth About Turnout Muscles (And Why Squeezing Quarters Doesn’t Work)

Okay, let’s talk about one of the most ridiculous pieces of ballet advice that just won’t die: “Squeeze a quarter between your buttocks to achieve…

Mar 31 • Arleen Sugano

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Why Your Body Fights Turnout- Understanding Motor Development

Let me tell you something that might blow your mind: your body is literally working against you from the moment you step into your first ballet class.

Mar 17 • Arleen Sugano

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The Purpose of Barre Work: Foundation for Center Success

So what’s the purpose of barre work beyond just warming up the body for center?

Mar 3 • Arleen Sugano

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February 2026

Dancing in Heels on a Tilted Stage: The Biomechanical Nightmare of Baroque Ballet

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about 17th and 18th century ballet: it wasn’t just that dancers performed on slanted stages. And it wasn’t just that…

Feb 17 • Arleen Sugano

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The Historical Roots of Traditional Ballet Posture

I mean, ballet isn’t some random art form that just accidentally developed terrible alignment principles. There are brilliant, thoughtful people who’ve…

Feb 3 • Arleen Sugano

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January 2026

Science Terminology For Dance Class

Science vocabulary I use in my classes!

Jan 20 • Arleen Sugano

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The Pelvis - Your Foundation for Everything

If there’s one thing I want you to remember from this entire series, it’s this: The pelvis is the foundation to vertical alignment.

Jan 13 • Arleen Sugano

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Centered Weight Placement: The Heart of Sugano System Ballet

Here’s something interesting: this week’s newsletter is actually the basis of the entire Sugano System. Everything I teach flows from what you’re about…

Jan 6 • Arleen Sugano

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December 2025

The Foundation of Efficient Dancing - Understanding Vertical Alignment

The idea of vertical body alignment as the key to dancing effectively isn’t new to anyone studying ballet.

Dec 30, 2025 • Arleen Sugano

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