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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.

 

 

ballet training 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!
At the barre

 

at the barre 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.

 


 

 

Click for short movie
Grand battement jeté
releves
RELÈVES and RÈTIRE

 


 

 

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