Ballet Barre Workout

The most important exercises in learning ballet I have found are those that work on strengthening the muscles that are necessary in the performance of ballet.

TURNOUT

Of most importance is "learning" the concept of "turnout." I have learned that it is a thing of your mind, telling your muscles literally what to do. It is a process of imagining your thigh and hip muscles 'turning out'. Place your hands on the front of your upper thighs and push gently around to the outside thighs, and then to the back, meanwhile concentrating and telling your muscles to follow. It takes a lot of time, and concentration so be patient with yourself.

If you cannot feel those muscles it is important to concentrate in the manner above until your muscles "get it" and they will!

POSTURE

This is another concept in which mind over muscle convenes. We have all been told to hold the head up, in fact stretch your whole body upwards, as though you are being pulled from a string attached to the top of your head.

Again, when I am holding my posture, I view my body as being stretched from the top. The easiest way to describe this process is to think of going 'UP' and 'UP'. To pull yourself from the bottom of your feet and up through your body as though there is one long string being pulled from the top that goes through your entire body.

Grand battement jeté

RELÈVES and RÈTIRE

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