Ballet Exercises

More and more people are taking to ballet exercises. It can be due to the fact, that these exercises are of great help in increasing strength and improving balance, grace and stamina. There is an added advantage of doing these exercises. They help in mental relaxation as well. These exercises are often also known as ballet barre exercises. Barre is a wooden support attached to the walls. These supports are used not only for doing the exercises, but they are also used for doing a number of ballet steps and positions. As a matter of fact, according to a number of ballet experts, these exercises done at the barre, lay the foundation for a number of ballet exercises. It is important not to shift your entire weight on the barre, when doing the exercises. It should be used only for lightly balancing.

Basic Ballet Barre Exercises

If you are doing these exercises at home, then you need not necessarily have a barre. The back of a chair can also be used for the purpose. However, ensure that the support is sturdy enough.

Plie
It is one of the basic exercises. It is helpful for a number of ballet positions. There are two types of plie exercises.

Demi Plie
To do the first variation of the plie exercise, stand duck toeing out with your heels touching each other. Hold the barre, or the back of the chair, for some support. When you are holding, ensure your elbows are locked and you are not slouching over on one side. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend your knees, such that the knees are pointing in opposite directions. However, ensure that the knees do not cross over the feet.

In the second variation of demi plie, place your feet about 1 foot away from one another, but duck toeing out, like in the previous variation. Hold on to the barre, like previously mentioned, slowly bend your knees ensuring your knees do not cross your feet.

Full Plie
This is a beginner exercise for people practicing ballet. The first variation is similar to the first variation of the demi plie. The difference lies in how much do you bend your knees. For full plie variation, you will have to bend your knees, so much that your buttocks should almost reach your heels.

In the next variation of the full plie, the starting position is similar to the second variation of the demi plie. In this variation the knees should be bent so much, that your thighs are parallel to the floor.

Tendu
If you are looking for some ballet stretching exercises, then you can easily include this ballet stretch. It warms the legs and helps in smooth movements. Stand close to a support. Use your one hand to hold the barre. Slowly slide the foot on the outside in front of you, such that only the toes are pointed and they are in contact with the floor. Bring the foot back to the starting position. Now slide your foot out to the side, with toes pointing, but heels not touching the floor. Bring the foot back to the starting position. Then slide the leg back with toes pointing. Repeat the same with the other leg as well.

Battement
For doing this ballet dance exercise, maintain the right posture. To do this exercise, balance on one leg, such that the toe of the standing leg points in front. Place the other leg, such that the heel touches the toes of the standing leg. Now engage the muscles in the leg and lift the leg in front of you in controlled manner about 10 to 15 times. Repeat the same on the other leg as well.

Ronde de Jambe
This exercise involves circling the legs. Like in the battement exercise, bring one foot forward and trace a half circle with your toe in front of the body and then behind the body. Repeat the same with the other leg as well.

When you are doing these ballet exercises, it is important, you activate your core muscles along with the leg muscles. Before doing the ballet barre exercises, remember to warm up well. Doing some stretches is also recommended.