Levels Floor barre/conditioning Focus & emphasis Barre Center

Pre-Ballet1x week30-45 minages >8

Sit in circle. Basic stretching: hamstrings and butterfly. Stretching quads while laying on stomach. Pointe and flex feet. Up and down movement/dynamic stretching.

Using a lot of imagery and games (still with musicality), it is important that these baby ballerinas have a great first exposure to ballet. Focus on spatial awareness, working as a group.First and Second positions with the feet.Arm positions 1-5.Plié, posse, and echappé sauté. Emphasize proper posture, musicality & sense of timing.Establish a high demi pointe and use of plié. Exercises should be preparatory for ballet walks and proper carriage of the body as well. Even though they are young, it is imperative that they learn to spot and coordinate their arms and head (establishing a solid foundation from the beginning)

1 and 6th positions with feet. Low first and fifth arms preparations. Both hands on the barre. Pointe and close in 6th position.Pliés.

Ballet “princess” walks across the floor to a 6/8 adagio.Marching.Jumps progression: 2-2 feet“Petite allegro”:Skipping,Polka steps to a simple polka.Mezzo allegro: Bunny hops en ménage.chassés. Grand allegro: grandHops on the diagnol. End with freeze dance to introduce musicality.

11-2x week60 minages 8-9

Run around the room a couple times and have them find their place at the barre. Side to side reaching and touching their toes. Pony trots at the barre.

Basic positions of feet and arms. Coordination of arms and head and spotting exercises. Preparatory exercises for polka and spring pointes. Emphasize proper ballet posture. Introduce artistry and expressiveness. Work on special awareness.Begin building the foundational strength of the legs and feet needed for jumps including increased bone density. Get the dancers moving! Establish the coordination of the arms and head for fluid port de bras.

First, 6th and second positions with the feet. Both hands at the barre. Demi plies in 1 and 2nd. Pointe and close. Foot stretching.Battement fondu :Plié tendu plié stretch

Walks across the room to a tango. Marching with feet. Arm lifting and sways.Paddle turnsbourrée turnsJumps progression: 2-1Petite allegro: Sautés and skipping.Mezzo allegro: Gallops to a simple polka. échappé sautés from 1 to 2nd to a grand march noble. Running on the toes in a ménage. Piques with arms on hips.Grand allegro: jetés on the diagnolImprovisation with contrasting pieces of music. Curtsey/ bow at the close of the class.

32-3x week75 minages 10-11

Pre-class: short cardio warm up and light stretching. Emphasize warming up the ankles without a theraband.Post-class: introduce more intense stretching (quadriceps, hips, hamstrings)

Introduction of pirouettes. Third arabesque. Preparation for sautés and petite allegro. Preparatory exercise for pas de chat.Emphasize proper body alignment.

Demi-pliés in 1st, 2nd & 3rd positions. Battements tendus to 4th devant and à la secondeBattement fondu: Fondu

Port de bras. Set exercise for third arabesque adagio. Set exercise for use of head in pirouettes.Progression of pirouettes:full single turnsSouteneues entornant

Incorporate artistry and expressiveness. Begin to focus on musicality & sense of timing.To establish a retiré that has a clean and clear pathway from fifth and remains attached to the standing leg at all times in preparation for fifth position pirouettes and even développés and envelopes. Drill pas de bourrée in each distinct part of the step to form the muscle memory of a correct pas de bourrée (do with other steps as well). At this level, it is important that they are gaining a clear and precise technique.

straight, relevé

Grand battements. Retirés. Adage

Glissade entournantJumps progression- 1 to otherPetite allegro:Petits jetés devant and derrière, with temps levé . Simple polka, sideways and forwards and/or turning. Gallops and coupés.Mezzo allegro:Changements and échappés sautés from 3rd.Grande Allegro:Grande jetés and pas de chat on the diagnol.Improvisation with contrasting pieces of music. Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

43x week75-90 minages 11-12

Theraband work for the feetPre-class: pilaties for the corePost-class: cool down stretching.

Pre-pointe introduction. First and third arabesques. Introduce tour en l'air. Work on traveling across and around the room. Spatial awareness. Incorporate artistry and expressiveness. Introduce the importance of quality of movement.To build the necessary strength needed for pointe work especially in the ankles. Fire the rotators and hamstrings; establish clear positions of the legs. Spring relevés aid in preparation for tour chaînés détourné and petite allegro. Focus on the action of the head to develop a proper Épaulement.

Demi-pliés and rises in 2nd, 1st and 5th positions.Battements tendus. Battements dégagés and piqués - from 1st positionBattements frappes: introducing ankle movement to a Rag or Mazurka.petite battements.Ronde de Jambes à terre. Grands battements a) 4th devant and à la seconde b) 4th derrière. Rond de jambe exercise.Battement fondu: Fondu straight, relevéAdage. Many Relevés

Port de bras. Set exercise incorporating 1st and 3rd arabesques.Relevé with bourrée. Progression of pirouettes:turns from 2nd and 4th positionsAttitude and arabesque promenade.1-2 détourné1-2 soutenuJumps progression- 1 to otherPetite allegro: Exercise for tour en l'air.Echappé sauté, temps levé, spring 1st.Mezzo allegro:Pas de chat. Saut de chat. Balletic polka, forwards and sideways. Jeté temps levé. Balancés. Brisé dessus. Diagonal or round the room as a ménage:Grand Allegro: Chassé in arabesque, with temps levéImprovisation with contrasting pieces of music. Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

54x week90 minages 12-13

Theraputic barre pre-class. Thorough cool down/stretching post class.

1, 2, and 3 arabesque. Pirouette en dehors.Preparation for sissonnes.Preparation for beats.Incorporate artistry and expressiveness.Focus on musicality & quality of movement. Strengthening the

Demi and grand plié in 2nd and 1st; demi-pliés in 5th devant; and rise. Battements tendus with demi-pliè.Battements dégagés closing

Port de bras.Set exercise with 1,2, 3 arabesque.Progression of pirouettes: DoublesPirouette en dehors.fifth position pirouettes (drill to mazurka)pique turns- en dehors and en dedans

muscles and feet for pointe work.Emphasize the proper and distinct accents of the working leg.Prepare for ronde de jambe fouetté turns and to build endurance musculature in the legs—especially the deep glutes, hamstrings, and rotators (particularly with the whipping action). Rotation of the leg in the hip socket. Prepare them for extensive adagio work in variations, pas de deux’s, etc. Rotation of the knee joint and flexibility. Control and use of the lower leg, proper rotation of the calf.

in 1st and 5th position.Battements frappes and introduce Petit Battement SerréRonde de Jambes focusing on doubles. Ronds de jambe en I’air. Introduce reverse. Hand and foot stretch. Grands battements with retirés to a polonaise. Ronds de jambe à terre. Repeat en relevéBattement fondu en relevédouble battements frappés with petite battement (en relevé) to simple polka (change of accent) or a mazurka.Adage to a 4/4.

Grand pirouettes: 4/4 adagioAttitude derrièreArabesque en dedansà la seconde en dedans, en dehors to a chardish lissueAttitude devant en dedans, en dehorsDevant en dedans, en dehorsTour Chaînésdétourné (to a lyric waltz)Jumps progression 1-samePetite allegro: Changements with échappés sautés. Pas de bourrée dessous. Assemblés soutenu. Balancés with posés coupés - (girls)Brisés dessus, dessous,Diagonal or round the room as a ménage: Mezzo allegro:temps levés in attitude devant, with gallops and assemblé en avant or devant. Brisédessus, dessous, en avant and en arrière.Grande allegro: Preparatory exercise for tour jetés.Improvisation with contrasting pieces of music.Pointe work for 30 minutes at the end of class: warm up at the barre,. Changements to a rag. échappé (tarantella) relevé to a chardish friszka passés, bourreés.Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

64x week90 minutesages 13-14

Theraputic barre. Thorough cool down/stretching post class.

Moving away from the barre to establish solid core and standing leg. 5th arabesque. Continuing to strengthen feet for pointe work. Focus on artistry, presentation and clear performance.Build the different and distinct musculature for accent out and the accent in. Shape and sculpt the legs and fire the fast twitch as well as slow twitch muscles. Focus on dynamic and attention to musicality.

Demi-pliés and grand plié in 2nd, 1st and 5th devant, port de bras and rise. Battements tendus with accentBattements dégagés. Retiré to a simple polka. Grands battements with retirés to a chardish friska or polonaise. Renversé Ronds de

Port de bras.Set adagio exercise incorporating 5th arabesque and renversé Repeat en relevé Pirouette en dedans to Spanish waltz.Multiple pirouettes.Grand Pirouettes:Arabesque en dehorsPique turns at 90 degreesRonde de jambe fouettes and adarie to a coda.Jumps progression: 2-1Petite allegro:ChangementsGlissades, taken devant and derrière, with

jambe à terre double battements frappés with petite battement (en relevé) to simple polka (change of accent) or a mazurka. Double frappés with pique. Adagio.Move slightly away from barre: Echappé relevé, soussus, with relevés passés

assemblé and relevé in 5thMezzo allegro: Temps levé chassé pas de bourrée and sissonnes .Chassé temps levé in arabesque with change of direction and posés coupés.Grand allegro: Diagonal or round the room as a ménage: chassé temps levé, balancé turning with travelling pas de basquesDiagonal: Petite tours with chasse (grand march noble) temps levé.Soubresaut and échappé with beat, entrechat quatre.tour jetés.Improvisation with contrasting pieces of music.Pointe work 30-45 minutes after technique- adding in pique and en dehors turns.Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

74-5x week90 minutesages 14-15

45-60 minute pilaties conditioning pre-class. Thorough cool down/stretching post class.

Clear and precise technique. Advanced artistry, performance and movement quality.Practice using plié correctly and proper weight distribution in preparation for jumps and grand pirouettes. Encourage traveling and utilizing all the space. This level is pinnacle conditioning/training period. Introduce and work variations en pointe.

Grand plié with full port de bras, and rise, in 2nd, 1st, 5th devant and 5th derrière positionsBattements tendus with demi-plié and transfer of weight performed to a Gavotte.Battements dégagés.retirés to a simple polka. Double petite battements. Hand and foot stretch to a grand waltz. Grands battements, with battements balancés to a polonaise. Ronds de jambe à terre to a tango. Battements frappés en croix

Port de Bras to a gavotte.Set Adagio to a 4/4 adagio. Repeat en relevéPirouettes: Battements tendus, demi-rond de jambe to a gavotte, and a pirouette en dehors.Grand pirouettes sautée (accent)Arabesque turns into a la seconde into pirouettePetite allegro:Changements and échappés, with small and large elevation Pas de bourrée en avant and en arrièreMezzo allegro:Glissade, jeté Sissonne enchaînement to a ländlerTravelling pas de basque with grand jeté en tournant Diagonal: Petit pas de basque en tournant en dedans with gallops (girls) to a 6/8 waltz Chassé, coupé, chassé, coupé en tournant (boys)Diagonal: Chassé, temps

on a fondu, and double battements frappés to 2ndPetits battements with accent (repeat en relevé) Développé grand rond de jambe, and dégagé en tournantMove slightly away from the barre: Echappés and relevés passé with pas de bourrée couru

levé, balancé en tournant, with posé tours or petite tours.Grand allegro en ménage to a coda. Echappé sauté closing with entrechat trois.Improvisation with contrasting pieces of music.45-60 pointe work adding in fondus and grand battements and adagio en pointe.Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

85x week120 minutesages 15-16

45-60 minute pilaties conditioning pre-class. Cool down/stretching post class.

Preparation for professional dance. Mastery of technique, musicality, placement, use of the feet in pointe shoes. Transitional steps, performance, style (nuance) and uniqueness. Class en pointe in the center at least 3 times a week.Build strength and endurance of the inner thighs and standing leg. Prep for major variations and pieces requiring lots of stamina. Strengthen the hamstrings and dynamic core, especially the psoas.

Warm-up exercise Pliés and port de brasBattements tendus and battements dégagés Ronds de jambe à terre to a gavotte en relevéBattements frappés and petites battements to a chardish friszka Battements fondus. Grand battements and battements balances to a 6/8 waltz

Port de bras.Battements tendus including pirouettes.Adage en relevé enchaînementPirouette enchaînement.Petite allegro.3 Enchaînement combinationsMezzo allegro includingBatterieRelevés (girls)grand allegro: Tombe coupe jetés en ménage.Classical solo/rep.Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

22x week60-75 minages 9-10

Pre –class: Run around the room a couple times and have them find their place at the barre/ short cardio warm up and light stretching.Post-class: introduce more intense stretching.

Familiarize all 5 feet and arms positions. Arabesque. Spring pointes and spring heels. Preparations for dégagés and piques. Focus on good ballet posture. Incorporate artistry and expressiveness. Focus on port de bras & spatial awareness.Prepare dancers for tendus with plié that trains them for petite allegro (further, mezzo and grand as well). Strengthen the intrinsic muscles and begins to shape and define he musculature of the leg. Also teach them to use their plié

Demi plies in 1 and 2nd. “Point lift” step. Battements tendus, devant and à la seconde. Retirés. Arabesque positions. Petite jetés, devant and derrière.

Battements tendus, devant and à la seconde.Progression of pirouettes:Quarter and half turns

1) turns with keeping shape up

Jumps progression: 2-1 and 1- otherPetite allegro:SautésMezzo allegro:Chassé à la seconde. Run and step into arabesque. Fifth position arms. Polka sideways. Gallops forward and sideways. Running and poising on the toes en ménage.Grand allegro: grandJetés on the diagnolImprovisation with

and the floor for the maximum power.

contrasting pieces of music. Curtsey/Bow at the close of class.

*All stretching exercises are done in several 20-30 second intervals *Imagery is used most heavily in pimary-lower levels but is used though advanced. * Sorry about level 2! It got separated somehow..

Kaley Johnson

Shayla Bott

Teaching Methods of Ballet

Dance 396- Summer 2014

Level Exercises

*every (3x) and (4x), etc means the total number of times executed

*arms bra bas= cechetti fifth en bas

* “ = repeat the same as the box directly above

*Head is erect (straight) if not specifically noted

Pre-Ballet: Center exercise Princess walks across the room: 4/4 Gavotte

Counts MovementBeginning facing wall 8 (cecchetti) arms bra bas, feet parallel

Intro Plié, relevé & put hands on hips1-2 Tip toe on demi pointe stepping with

right leg, then left3-4 “5-6 Plié in parallel7-8 Relevé in parallel

Repeat counts 1-8Ending Plié and straight in parallel, bring arms

in bra bas

*Tell dancers to keep on their highest demi pointe and to walk like a princess*Keep head in line with spine. Face facing wall 8 for the whole exercise *Keep the arms on the hips through the whole exercise (counts 1-8)*Repeat the exercise until all the way across the floor (barre to barre) to establish the importance of dancing beyond the wings of the stage

Purpose: To establish a high demi pointe and use of plié. This exercise is preparatory for ballet walks and proper carriage of the body as well.

Level one: Center exercise échappé sautés from first to second position: 4/4 Military march

Counts MovementFacing en face

Intro (7-8) Plié in first position, hands on hips1-2 échappé second, Fermé

first position (feet) (hands on hips)3-4 “ bring arms to bras bas on 45-6 Arms first, high fifth (head following)

(legs in first position)7-8 Arms second, bras bas (legs in first

position) head following R handEnding Facing en face, first position legs and

arms in bra bas, head facing devant

*Repeat the exercise an additional time. Keep head forward until the port de bras section (count 5), where the head and eyes should follow the right hand.

Purpose: To begin building the foundational strength of the legs and feet needed for jumps including increased bone density. This exercise also gets the dancers moving which is necessary from the primary levels. It also establishes the coordination of the arms and head for fluid port de bras.

Level two: Facing the barreTendu and plié: ¾ grand waltz

Counts MovementFacing the barre

Intro Arms bras bas, legs in first position. Plié arms to the barre, head facing devant

1-2 Plié, straight3-4 Tendu devant, fermé

first position(R leg)5-6 Plié, straight7-8 Tendu à la seconde, fermé first position

(R leg)1-2 Tendu devant, fermé first position (R

leg)3-4 “5-6 Tendu à la seconde, fermé first position

(R leg)7-8 “

Repeat counts 1-8 with the left legEnding Arms in bra bas, legs in first position,

head facing devant

*Repeat the whole exercise on the L leg. Keep the head faced devant. Tell the dancers to brush the floor with their whole foot and to push the floor away when they straighten from the plié.

*Keep the head devant through the whole exercise

Purpose: To prepare dancers for tendus with plié which trains them for petite allegro (further, mezzo and grand as well). Strengthens the intrinsic muscles and begins to shape and define he musculature of the leg. Also teaches them to use their plié and the floor for the maximum power.

Level Three: Facing the barreRetirés: 2/4 simple polka

Counts MovementFacing the barre, R leg devant fifth position arms bra bas. Head devant.

Intro Plié r leg devant fifth position, arms go to the barre

1-2 Sur le cou-de-pied devant3-4 Conditional cou-de-pied devant5-6 Passé through conditional cou-de-pied

devant to retiré devant7-8 Passé through retiré derrière to

conditional cou-de-pied derrière1-2 Fermé Fifth position R leg derrière3-4 Conditional cou-de-pied derrière5-6 Passé through retire derrière to retiré

devant7-8 (+) Retiré devant to fermé fifth (Fondu with

R leg with l leg conditional cou-de-pied derrière)

1-6 Pas de bourrée dessous (3x) alternating legs. Alternate the head according to the weight bearing leg (ex. Plié on right, look quarter turn right)

7-8 Plié L leg devant fifth position. Head devant.

Ending Facing the barre, r leg devant fifth

position arms bra bas, Head devant.

*Repeat entire exercise from the beginning with the left leg.

*The first two eights and end of the exercise keep the head devant.

Purpose: To establish a retiré that has a clean and clear pathway from fifth and remains attached to the standing leg at all times in preparation for fifth position pirouettes and even développés and envelopes. The pas de bourrée aid in drilling each distinct part of the step to form the muscle memory of a correct pas de bourrée.

Level Four: Facing the barreRelevés: 4/4 Reel

Counts MovementFacing the barre, arms bra bas, head devant.

Intro Plié in first position, bring index and middle fingers to the barre

+1-8, 1-6 Plié, spring relevé first position (7x)+7-8 Plié, tendu R leg to second position+1-8, 1-6 Plié spring relevé second position (7x)+7-8 Plié, tendu à la seconde fermé to fifth

position R leg devant+1-8, 1-5 Plié, spring

/`from fifth position to soussus R leg devant (7x)

6-8 Coupe L leg derrière plié on R leg, pas de bourrée dessous fermé fifth position L leg devant

+1-8, 1-5 Plié, spring relevé from fifth position to soussus L leg devant (7x)

6-8 Coupe R leg derrière plié on L leg, pas de bourrée dessous fermé fifth position R leg devant

Ending Facing the barre, r leg devant fifth position arms bra bas, Head quarter turn over right shoulder.

*Keep head facing devant until spring relevé from fifth position to soussus. Then, turn the head a quarter turn over the devant leg (including the pas de bourrées).

Purpose: To build the necessary strength needed for pointe work especially in the ankles. Fires the rotators and hamstrings; establishes clear positions of the legs. Spring relevés aid in preparation for tour chaînés détourné and petite allegro. The action of the head develops a proper Épaulement.

Level Five: Side to the barre Ronds de jambe en I’air: 6/8 Lyric Waltz

Counts MovementIntro Fifth position, R leg devant, both arms off

the barre. Port de bras preparation with both arms demi second, bras bas, first. L hand reaches the barre, R arms to second position. Head follows the r hand.

+1, +2…+7 Ronde de jambe en I’air en dehors (7x)+8 Fermé fifth position R leg derrière plié+1, +2…+7 Rond de jambe en I’air en dedans (7x)+8 Fermé fifth position R leg devant plié+1 hold 2, Rond de jambe en I’air en dehors en

relevé, sustain à la seconde+3 hold 4 Double rond de jambe en I’air en dehors,

sustain à la seconde+5, +6, +7 Double rond de jambe en I’air en dehors

(3x)8 Fermé R leg derrière fifth position+1 hold 2, Rond de jambe en I’air en dedans en

relevé sustain à la seconde+3 hold 4 Double rond de jambe en dedans, sustain

à la seconde+5, +6, +7 Double rond de jambe en I’air en dehors

(3x)8 fermé R leg derrière fifth position, arms

bras bas1-16 Balance R leg at 45 degrees à la seconde

and arms second position, head devantEnding Fermé fifth position, R leg devant, arms

bra bas. Head quarter turn over right shoulder.

All rond de jambes en I’air and sustains are performed at 90 degrees with the leg

Keep the head devant for all rond de jambes I’airo 1) fermé fifth position R leg derrière incline head over the right

shoulder

o 2) fermé fifth position R leg devant incline head into the right palm

*Repeat on the left side, R had on the barre. Keep head facing forward and arm in second position throughout the whole exercise. Emphasize the proper and distinct accents of the working leg.

Purpose: To prepare for ronde de jambe fouetté turns and to build endurance musculature in the legs—especially the deep glutes, hamstrings, and rotators (particularly with the whipping action). Rotation of the leg in the hip socket. Prepares them for extensive adagio work in variations, pas de deux’s, etc. Rotation of the knee joint and flexibility. Control and use of the lower leg, proper rotation of the calf.

Level Six: Side to the barreTendu with accent change: ¾ Rag Waltz

Counts MovementIntro Fifth position, R leg devant, both arms off

the barre. Port de bras preparation with both arms demi second, bras bas, first. L hand reaches the barre, R arms to second position. Head follows the r hand.

+1…+4+ Fifth position R leg devant, Tendu devant accent out (4x)

5-8 fermé fifth position R leg devant, tendu devant, fermé fifth devant accent in (4x)

+1…+4+ Fifth position, tendu à la seconde changé fermé fifth (4x) accent out

5-8 Fifth position, tendu à la seconde changé fermé fifth (4x) accent infermé fifth position R leg derrière (on 8)

+1…+4+ Fifth position R leg derrière, Tendu derrière accent out (4x)

5-8 fermé fifth position R leg derrière, tendu derrière (4x) fermé fifth derrière

+1…+4+ Fifth position, tendu à la seconde changé fermé fifth (4x) accent out

5-8 Fifth position, tendu à la seconde changé fermé fifth (4x) accent infermé fifth position R leg devant(on 8)

1-16 Balance R leg retiré devant, arms in first position, head devant

Ending Fermé Fifth position R leg devant, arms

bra bas, head quarter turn over right shoulder.

Make sure to distinguish between the accent in and out Port de bras:

o All tendus devant: head quarter turn right, R arm high fiftho All tendus à la seconde: head quarter turn to the devant leg, R arm in

second positono All tendus derrière: Head inclined toward pinky finger of R arm in

second arabesque. Purpose: To build the different and distinct musculature for the accent out

and the accent in. To shape and sculpt the legs and fire the fast twitch as well as slow twitch muscles. This exercise also focuses on dynamic and attention to musicality.

Level Seven: Side to the barre Tendus with weight transfer:

Counts MovementIntro Fifth position, R leg devant, both arms off

the barre. Port de bras preparation with both arms demi second, bras bras, first. L hand reaches the barre, R arms to second position. Head follows the r hand.

1-4 R leg tendu devant, demi pointe, tendu devant, fermé R leg devant fifth position

5-8 R leg tendu devant with R arm high fifth head over right shoulder temps lie to first arabesque R arm forward standing on R leg head inclined to pinky finger

1-4 L leg tendu derrière (head inclined to pinky finger), demi pointe, tendu derrière, fermé L leg derrière fifth position

5-8 L leg tendu derrière, temps lie to R leg tendu devant

1-8 R leg tendu à la second, demi pointe, tendu à la seconde, fermé fifth position changé (2x)

1-8 R leg tendu à la seconde, plié second, temps lie to L foot R leg tendu à la second close fifth (2x) ending in fifth position R leg devant

1-16 Balance with the L leg retiré derrière

arms first position, head devantEnding Fermé fifth position, R leg devant, arms

bra bas, head quarter turn over right shoulder.

*Repeat exercise from the beginning with the left leg *Each time

1) R leg tendu devant= R arm high fifth, head quarter turn over right shoulder

2) L leg tendu derrière= first arabesque line of arms and head inclined to pinky finger

3) R leg tendu derrière= second arabesque line of arms and head inclined to pinky finger

4) R leg tendu à la seconde= R arm second position and head devant

Purpose: Fulfills one of the major focuses of this level (tendus with weight transfer). Helps to practice using plié correctly and proper weight distribution in preparation for jumps and grand pirouettes. Encourages traveling and utilizing all the space.

Level Eight: Side to the barreGrand battements: 4/4 Military March

Counts MovementIntro Fifth position, R leg devant, both arms off

the barre. Port de bras preparation with both arms demi second, bras bas, first. L hand reaches the barre, R arms to second position. Head follows the r hand.

1-16 16 grand battements devant fermé fifth position accent in, R leg devant. Head quarter turn over right shoulder and R arm high fifth.

1-16 16 grand battements à la seconde accent in fermé fifth position changé Head devant and R arm second position

1-16 16 grand battements accent in fermé fifth position, End with R leg derrière fifth position. Head inclined to the R pinky finger and R arm in second arabesque.

1-8 8 grand battements à la seconde fermé fifth position changé (Head and arms same as other à la seconde)

1-8 Grand battement à la seconde, turn in turn out, fermé fifth position changé (2x)

Ending Fermé Fifth position, R leg devant, arms bra bas, head quarter turn over right shoulder.

*Repeat the whole exercise on the left side with the R hand on the barre.

Make sure the standing leg remains straight and with energy shooting down into the ground.

Purpose: To build strength and endurance of the inner thighs and standing leg. Preparatory for major variations and pieces requiring lots of stamina. This also strengthens the hamstrings and dynamic core, especially the psoas.