Welcome everyone. Let’s get started. Remember…questions, comments, suggestions or concerns are always welcome, therefore, ask away! Hope you all enjoy the class.


Barre Work

Notes to remember BEFORE class:
- Suck your navel into your spin to support your lower back.
- Make yourself tall. If you feel tall because you are pulling up, try to be taller.
- Support the arms always.
- Your thighs must always be squeezed tightly.
- Do NOT tilt your hips when doing back tendus.
- In plies, make sure your back is straight and you are not sitting in your plie or your hips.
- And last but certainly not least….
- Do the best you possibly can.
1. Demi plie in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th position. Arms should always be in second position. The way this exercise should be done as follows:
- Demi plie (2 counts)
- Stretch (2 counts)
- Demi plie ( 2 counts)
- Stretch (2 counts)
After it is done in all positions turn around and repeat on other side.
2. Grande plie. Arms in second position. Exercise should be done as follows:
- 1st position.
-Grande plie (2 counts)
-Stretch (2 counts)
-Grande plie (2 counts)
-Stretch (2 counts)
- 2nd position.
-Grande plie (2 counts)
-Stretch (2 counts)
-Grande plie (2 counts)
-Stretch (2 counts)
- 5th position.
-Grande plie (2 counts)
-Stretch (2 counts)
-Grande plie (2 counts)
-Stretch (2 counts)
After this exercise is done, turn around and repeat on the other side.
3. Tendu’s. Arms should be in second. Exercise should be done as follows:
- 1st position: tendu front then close (X2) [2 counts. 1 to go out, 1 to come in]
- Tendu to the side then close (X2) [2 counts as well]
- Tendu back then close (X2) [2 counts as well]
- Tendu to the side then close (X2) [2 counts]
- Tendu to the front then close (X2) [2 counts]
- Demi plie [2 counts]
- Tendu to the front then straighten both legs [2 counts]
- Demi plie [2 counts]
- Tendu to the side then straighten both legs [2 counts]
- Demi plie [2 counts]
- Tendu to the back then straighten both legs [2 counts]
After the exercise is complete, turn around and repeat on the other side.
4. Grande battement tendu. Arms should be in second. Exercise should be done as follows:
- 1st position:
- Grande battement to the front,tendu close(X2) [2 counts. 1 to go out, 1 to come in]
- Grande battement to the side, tendu close (X2) [2 counts as well]
- Grande battement to the back, tendu close (X2) [2 counts as well]
- Grande battement to the side, tendu close (X2) [2 counts]
- Grande battement to the front, tendu close (X2) [2 counts]
After the exercise is complete, turn around and repeat on the other side.
5. Releve’s. Arms in first position. Exercise should be done as follows:
- 1st position: 26 counts. 1 releve per count = 26 releves in 1st.
- 2nd position: 26 counts. 1 releve per count = 26 releves in 2nd
- 5th position: 26 counts. 1 releve per count = 26 releves in 5th
Bring your foot into retere and try to balance en releve for 10 counts.
After the exercise is complete, turn around and repeat on other side.

Center work

1. Arabesque. Arms should be in arabesque form, meaning the arm in which is on the same side as the back leg should be in second position, and the other arm should be right in front of you, but not higher then your eye line.
- Feet in 5th. Left leg front.
- Tendu your right leg to the back, arms in arabesque.
- Slowly lift your back leg.
- Do not tilt too much forward; therefore pull your chest up while doing this. Try going to a 90 degree angle. If you cannot, do not sweat, keep stretching and practicing.
- Try to hold for 8 counts.
- Slowly close.
- Repeat with the right leg forward, and left leg back.

2. Pas de bourré. Arms in second.
- Feet in 5th. Left leg front.
- Left leg goes into coupe, right leg goes into a fondu (bent at the knee)
- Push up to demi pointe with left leg, right leg goes into retere
- Right leg goes down into demi pointe, left leg goes into retere.
- Feet end in 5th with left leg front.
Repeat this exercise 4 times.

3. Jumps. Arms should be low 1st position.
- 20 changements
- 10 echape changements
- 16 jumps in 1st position.

Well, that’s the class, hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!
REQUEST WHEN REPLYING
Can you please write a quick description of what you have learned in your personal ballet class with your teacher. This will give me ideas on what to focus my classes on. Also, please post what you would like to improve on to succeed in your personal ballet goals.

Justine

That was a really great lesson! I haven't quite finished it, but I plan on doing so when I get back.

as for what I have done so far, really I'm in an beginning/intermediate/prepointe class. The most recent things we did were fouettes, and we've started doubles. If you need to know more just ask!

^Since you are just taking this class for extra practice, I can't expect those who have just started and learning arm positions to learn fouettes. That would be just cruel. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated.

great lesson like it alot it is still going easier all those moves

much agreed, especially since I'm still bad at them...

much agreed, especially since I'm still bad at them...

good lesson! It's nice to go over the basics, I always tend to skim over them.