A COMPLETE BALLET CLASS

HISTORY | WARM –UP | BARRE WORK | CENTRE WORK | GRAND ALLEGRO
NOTES ON POINTE SHOE WORK | More Videos

Dancers are craftspersons of a difficult art form.
Only with dedication and discipline can one master the Ballet.
The dancer’s body is a model of perfection.
The line & form are precise & clear, the movements graceful and awesome.

• IMPROVE BALANCE & BODY ALINGMENT
• INCREASE FLEXIBILITY
• ENHANCE CORE STRENGTH
• EXPAND TECHNIQUE

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO DANCE !!!

HISTORY

History shows that ballet began as a dance for the Duke of Milan in Italy during the year of 1489.

The word ballet derives from the Italian word ‘ balletti’… meaning … ‘to dance’.

Modern dance also started at the same time in Central Europe , but unlike classical ballet, it had no traditional vocabulary of movement from which dancers and choreographers could draw & design steps. It was always freshly invented.

By the turn of the 16th century, ballet had grown in immense popularity in Italy , France & Russia. As it developed, France became the creators of what we call ‘genuine ballet dance & terminology.

Throughout the centuries and around the globe, classical and modern dance continued to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and classes.

Today, traditional and contemporary ballet brings together talented choreographers and dancers who share their dedication & love to this wonderful art form. Inspred by the music, idea and purpose of the piece, we hope you to will enjoy Ballet, Beyond Basics level 2.

WARM UP

Before any strenuous activity, it is always a good idea to warm-up the body. Just a simple stretching & breathing routine can be enough to energize and engage the body. The idea is to safely exercise the muscles around the hips and spinal column, so that they can function without too much back strain. The inner thighs also need to be stretched safely to develop the length of the legs and prevent bulging.

One of the most effective warm-up and body conditioning programs is an innovative workout known as the ‘WISEMAN TECHNIQUE’ . We first presented this technique on Ballet: The Classical Method , level 1.

Designed and created by dancers for dancers, this simple yet powerful program will tone and condition your body from the inside out, while improving flexibility & core strength. It will even enhance your natural immune system.

The secret is in the breathing and the combination of postures and movements developed by Mr. Wiseman/Padam. A highly regarded artist, dancer, teacher & student of the human body.

BARRE

• Battement Tendu & Demi – Plie

Starts with slow battement tendu front , turned in, turn out plie and point. Close to 1st position and demi plie. Repeats same combination to the side and back. Finish with port be bras to side & back. Repeat with left leg , finish with releve in 1st position.

• Demi - plie in 1, 2, 5, 4 position.

Start with demi-plie in 1, rise in 1st position, grand plie and port de bras to the front and back. Change in 2nd and 4th position, 2 x grand plies and ported bras toward the barre and away in 2nd. And circuit port de bras in 4th. Finish with demi-plie releve, grand plie in 5th position and circuit port de bras away from the barre. Releve in 5th position at the end. Demi plie from the other side only in 5th and 4th position.

• Battement tendu from 5th position (side to barre).

4 x battement tendu devant (to the front) full degage with arm and close. 4 x battement tendu derrier (to the back) full degage away from the barre, open side, close to the 5th position and passé for changing leg to the back. We repeat the whole exercise from the back and finish with passé releve at the end. We repeat on the other side.

• Battement tendu jete.

2 x battement tendu jete devant, 2 x jete pique devant. Switich legs and repeat to the back. And to the side. Finish with 7 x jetes to the 1st position. Repeat from the front with 2 x jetes and 2 x pas de chevals devant, derrier and a’ la seconde and finish with 7 x close. Repeat exercise to the other side.

• Ronds de jambe par a terre.

Preparation from the 5th position. 2 x ronds de jambe en dehors and 1 x ronds de jambe en dehors in demi-plie. 2 x ronds de jambe en dehors and 1 x ronde de jambe on 45 degree releve with arm. 2 x ronds de jambe en dehors and triple rond de jambe.

1 x rond de jambe en l’air, rond between and 1x rond de jambe en l’air again and close front.

Repeat the whole exercise en dedans. Finish with circuit port de bras toward the barre and away from the barre and slide degage down, back bend and finish with 3 arabesque with both arms off the barre.

REPEAT TO THE OTHER SIDE.

• Battement Frappe and Petite Battement.

2 x frappe devant, 3 x faster a la seconde, 2 x frappe derriere and 3 x faster a la seconde. Rise demi-pointe and double frappe en croie (cross) finish with petite battement on releve. Repeat from the back (reverse).

REPEAT WHOLE EXERCISE FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

• battement fondu and rond de jambe en l’air (on releve).

2 x fondu devant (45 degree & 90 degree). 2 x fondu derrier ( 45 degree & 90 degree), 1 x double fondu a la seconde. 2 x ronds de jambe en dehors on releve and 1 x double rond de jambe , close back. Repeat from the back and finish attitude derrier on releve.

REPEAT FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

• Grand battement (both sides together)

2 x grand battement devant, switch legs and 2 x grand battement derrier, 2 x grand battement derrier, 2 x grand battement a la seconde, battement tendu to 5th position and pirouette en dehors from 5th position, close to the back.

Repeat the whole exercise to the back except no pirouette, but open battement tendu a la seconde demi-plie and sutenu to the other side.

STRETCH AT THE BARRE.

Leg is placed on the barre. Stretch front and back (facing front). Stretch side and side with leg a la seconde, take leg and stretch front and side.

REPEAT OTHER LEG.

CENTER WORK

• Battement tendu and pirouettes en dehors from 4th position.

Open battement tendu front, full degage with rond de jambe and switiching corners, repeat degage and 2 x battement tendu to the back (derrier).

Same thing from the left side. 2 x battement tendu to the side (changing legs) and quick battement jete to 1st position, repeat 2 x battement tendu, 3 x jete, preparation on passé and pirouettes en dehors from 4th position, close to the back.

Repeat from the left and finish pirouettes in degage 4th position.

• Adage (slow moving exercise)

Start facing the corner, with slide into 1st, arabesque switch corners, leg goes up derrier, passé through and open devant (front), passé again and a la seconde 90 degrees facing front plie on standing leg and pas de bourrie into 4th position. Slow port de bras with lunge. When you finish corners and pirouette en dedans, close front and do other side.

• Saute and Changement (small allegro).

4 x saute jump in 1st position
4 x saute in 2nd position (arms difference).
8 x changement from 5th to 5th (changing corners).

REPEAT AGAIN.

• Assemble and Jete (small allegro)

2 x enchappe with big arms and head.
3 x assembles and wait, 1 x jete temps live, 2 x jete, baloses front and back, pas de bourre and brisse front.

REPEAT FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

GRAND ALLEGRO

Sison temps live, glissage and pas de chat, pas de bourre to the 5th position and 2 x sison ferme in 3rd arabesque, 2 x sison ferme from side to side, sutenu and sison ferme coupe assemble to one corner and REPEAT TO THE OTHER CORNER.

• GRAND BATTEMENT

2 x grand battement devant en croise, 2 x grand battement derrier – other leg, 2 x grand battement side, changing legs and 1 x battement develop passé, close to the back.

REPEAT THE LEFT SIDE.

• A LYRICAL VARIATION.

NOTES ON: POINTE SHOE WORK

Pointe shoe work requires advanced ballet technique and strong, developed feet . This is only achieved after years of proper training and practice.

But the visual effective is truly worth the work. A true image of grace and beauty, unique to the world of ballet.