Levels Floor Focus & emphasis Barre Center

barre/conditioning
Pre-Ballet Sit in circle. Basic Using a lot of 1 and 6th Ballet “princess”
1x week stretching: imagery and positions walks across the
30-45 min hamstrings and games (still with with feet. floor to a 6/8
ages >8 butterfly. Stretching musicality), it is Low first and adagio.
quads while laying important that fifth arms Marching.
on stomach. Pointe these baby preparations Jumps progression:
and flex feet. Up and ballerinas have a . Both hands 2-2 feet
down great first on the barre. “Petite allegro”:
movement/dynamic exposure to ballet. Pointe and Skipping,
stretching. Focus on spatial close in 6th Polka steps to a
awareness, position. simple polka.
working as a Pliés. Mezzo allegro:
group. Bunny hops en
First and Second ménage.
positions with the chassés.
feet. Grand allegro:
Arm positions 1-5. grand
Plié, posse, and Hops on the
echappé sauté. diagnol. End with
Emphasize proper freeze dance to
posture, introduce
musicality & sense musicality.
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 Run around the Basic positions of First, 6th and Walks across the
1-2x week room a couple times feet and arms. second room to a tango.
60 min and have them find Coordination of positions Marching with feet.
ages 8-9 their place at the arms and head with the Arm lifting and
barre. Side to side and spotting feet. Both sways.
reaching and exercises. hands at the Paddle turns
touching their toes. Preparatory barre. Demi bourrée turns
Pony trots at the exercises for polka plies in 1 Jumps progression:
barre. and spring and 2nd. 2-1
pointes. Pointe and Petite allegro:
Emphasize proper close. Foot Sautés and
ballet posture. stretching. skipping.
Introduce artistry Battement Mezzo allegro:
and fondu :Plié Gallops to a simple
expressiveness. tendu plié polka. échappé
Work on special stretch sautés from 1 to 2nd
awareness. to a grand march
Begin building the noble. Running on
foundational the toes in a
strength of the ménage. Piques
legs and feet with arms on hips.
needed for jumps Grand allegro: jetés
including on the diagnol
 increased bone Improvisation with
density. Get the contrasting pieces
dancers moving! of music. Curtsey/
Establish the bow at the close of
coordination of the class.
the arms and head
for fluid port de
bras.

3 Pre-class: short Introduction of Demi-pliés in Port de bras. Set

2-3x week cardio warm up and pirouettes. Third 1st, 2nd & exercise for third
75 min light stretching. arabesque. 3rd arabesque adagio.
ages 10-11 Emphasize warming Preparation for positions. Set exercise for use
up the ankles sautés and petite Battements of head in
without a allegro. tendus to pirouettes.
theraband. Preparatory 4th devant Progression of
Post-class: exercise for pas de and à la pirouettes:
introduce more chat. seconde full single turns
intense stretching Emphasize proper Battement Souteneues
(quadriceps, hips, body alignment. fondu: entornant
hamstrings) Incorporate Fondu Glissade
artistry and straight, entournant
expressiveness. relevé Jumps progression-
Begin to focus on 1 to other
musicality & sense Grand Petite allegro:
of timing. battements. Petits jetés devant
To establish a Retirés. and derrière, with
retiré that has a Adage temps levé . Simple
clean and clear polka, sideways
pathway from fifth and forwards
and remains and/or turning.
attached to the Gallops and
standing leg at all coupés.
times in Mezzo allegro:
preparation for Changements and
fifth position échappés sautés
pirouettes and from 3rd.
even développés Grande Allegro:
and envelopes. Grande jetés and
Drill pas de pas de chat on the
bourrée in each diagnol.
distinct part of the Improvisation with
step to form the contrasting pieces
muscle memory of of music.
a correct pas de Curtsey/Bow at the
bourrée (do with close of class.
other steps as
well). At this level,
it is important that
they are gaining a
clear and precise
technique.
4 Theraband work for Pre-pointe Demi-pliés Port de bras. Set
3x week the feet introduction. First and rises in exercise
75-90 min Pre-class: pilaties and third 2nd, 1st and incorporating 1st
ages 11-12 for the core arabesques. 5th and 3rd
Post-class: cool Introduce tour en positions. arabesques.
down stretching. l'air. Work on Battements Relevé with
traveling across tendus. bourrée.
and around the Battements Progression of
room. Spatial dégagés and pirouettes:
awareness. piqués - turns from 2nd and
Incorporate from 1st 4th positions
artistry and position Attitude and
expressiveness. Battements arabesque
Introduce the frappes: promenade.
importance of introducing 1-2 détourné
 quality of ankle 1-2 soutenu
movement. movement Jumps progression-
To build the to a Rag or 1 to other
necessary Mazurka. Petite allegro:
strength needed petite Exercise for tour en
for pointe work battements. l'air.
especially in the Ronde de Echappé sauté,
ankles. Fire the Jambes à temps levé, spring
rotators and terre. 1st.
hamstrings; Grands Mezzo allegro:
establish clear battements Pas de chat. Saut
positions of the a) 4th de chat. Balletic
legs. Spring devant and à polka, forwards and
relevés aid in la seconde sideways. Jeté
preparation for b) 4th temps levé.
tour chaînés derrière. Balancés. Brisé
détourné and Rond de dessus. Diagonal or
petite allegro. jambe round the room as
Focus on the exercise. a ménage:
action of the head Battement Grand Allegro:
to develop a fondu: Chassé in
proper Fondu arabesque, with
Épaulement. straight, temps levé
relevé Improvisation with
Adage. Many contrasting pieces
Relevés of music.
Curtsey/Bow at the
close of class.
5 Theraputic barre 1, 2, and 3 Demi and Port de bras.
4x week pre-class. Thorough arabesque. grand plié in Set exercise with
90 min cool Pirouette en 2nd and 1st; 1,2, 3 arabesque.
ages 12-13 down/stretching dehors. demi-pliés in Progression of
post class. Preparation for 5th devant; pirouettes: Doubles
sissonnes. and rise. Pirouette en
Preparation for Battements dehors.
beats. tendus with fifth position
Incorporate demi-pliè. pirouettes (drill to
artistry and Battements mazurka)
expressiveness. dégagés pique turns- en
Focus on closing in dehors and en
musicality & 1st and 5th dedans
quality of position. Grand pirouettes:
movement. Battements 4/4 adagio
Strengthening the frappes and Attitude derrière
muscles and feet introduce Arabesque en
for pointe work. Petit dedans
Emphasize the Battement à la seconde en
proper and Serré dedans, en dehors
distinct accents of Ronde de to a chardish lissue
the working leg. Jambes Attitude devant en
Prepare for ronde focusing on dedans, en dehors
de jambe fouetté doubles. Devant en dedans,
turns and to build Ronds de en dehors
endurance jambe en Tour Chaînés
musculature in the I’air. détourné (to a lyric
legs—especially Introduce waltz)
the deep glutes, reverse. Jumps progression
hamstrings, and Hand and 1-same
rotators foot stretch. Petite allegro:
(particularly with Grands Changements with
the whipping battements échappés sautés.
action). Rotation with retirés Pas de bourrée
of the leg in the to a dessous.
hip socket. polonaise. Assemblés
Prepare them for Ronds de soutenu. Balancés
extensive adagio jambe à with posés coupés -
work in variations, terre. (girls)
pas de deux’s, etc. Repeat en Brisés dessus,
 Rotation of the relevé dessous,
knee joint and Battement Diagonal or round
flexibility. Control fondu en the room as a
and use of the relevé ménage: Mezzo
lower leg, proper double allegro:
rotation of the battements temps levés in
calf. frappés with attitude devant,
petite with gallops and
battement assemblé en avant
(en relevé) or devant. Brisé
to simple dessus, dessous,
polka en avant and en
(change of arrière.
accent) or a Grande allegro:
mazurka. Preparatory
Adage to a exercise for tour
4/4. 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.
6 Theraputic barre. Moving away from Demi-pliés Port de bras.
4x week Thorough cool the barre to and grand Set adagio exercise
90 minutes down/stretching establish solid plié in 2nd, incorporating 5th
ages 13-14 post class. core and standing 1st and 5th arabesque and
leg. 5th devant, port renversé Repeat en
arabesque. de bras and relevé Pirouette en
Continuing to rise. dedans to Spanish
strengthen feet Battements waltz.
for pointe work. tendus with Multiple pirouettes.
Focus on artistry, accent Grand Pirouettes:
presentation and Battements Arabesque en
clear performance. dégagés. dehors
Build the different Retiré to a Pique turns at 90
and distinct simple degrees
musculature for polka. Ronde de jambe
accent out and the Grands fouettes and adarie
accent in. Shape battements to a coda.
and sculpt the legs with retirés Jumps progression:
and fire the fast to a chardish 2-1
twitch as well as friska or Petite allegro:
slow twitch polonaise. Changements
muscles. Focus on Renversé Glissades, taken
dynamic and Ronds de devant and
attention to jambe à derrière, with
musicality. terre double assemblé and
battements relevé in 5th
frappés with Mezzo allegro:
petite Temps levé chassé
battement pas de bourrée and
(en relevé) sissonnes .
to simple Chassé temps levé
polka in arabesque with
(change of change of direction
accent) or a and posés coupés.
mazurka. Grand allegro:
Double Diagonal or round
 frappés the room as a
with pique. ménage: chassé
Adagio. temps levé,
Move balancé turning
slightly with travelling pas
away from de basques
barre: Diagonal: Petite
Echappé tours with chasse
relevé, (grand march
soussus, noble) temps levé
with relevés .Soubresaut and
passés 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.
7 45-60 minute Clear and precise Grand plié Port de Bras to a
4-5x week pilaties conditioning technique. with full port gavotte.
90 minutes pre-class. Thorough Advanced artistry, de bras, and Set Adagio to a 4/4
ages 14-15 cool performance and rise, in 2nd, adagio. Repeat en
down/stretching movement quality. 1st, 5th relevé
post class. Practice using plié devant and Pirouettes:
correctly and 5th derrière Battements tendus,
proper weight positions demi-rond de
distribution in Battements jambe to a gavotte,
preparation for tendus with and a pirouette en
jumps and grand demi-plié dehors.
pirouettes. and transfer Grand pirouettes
Encourage of weight sautée (accent)
traveling and performed Arabesque turns
utilizing all the to a Gavotte. into a la seconde
space. This level is Battements into pirouette
pinnacle dégagés. Petite allegro:
conditioning/traini retirés to a Changements and
ng period. simple échappés, with
Introduce and polka. small and large
work variations en Double elevation
pointe. petite Pas de bourrée en
battements. avant and en
Hand and arrière
foot stretch Mezzo allegro:
to a grand Glissade, jeté
waltz. Sissonne
Grands enchaînement to a
battements, ländler
with Travelling pas de
battements basque with grand
balancés to jeté en tournant
a polonaise. Diagonal: Petit pas
Ronds de de basque en
jambe à tournant en dedans
terre to a with gallops (girls)
tango. to a 6/8 waltz
Battements Chassé, coupé,
frappés en chassé, coupé en
croix on a tournant (boys)
fondu, and Diagonal: Chassé,
double temps levé,
battements balancé en
frappés to tournant, with posé
 2nd tours or petite
Petits tours.
battements Grand allegro en
with accent ménage to a coda.
(repeat en Echappé sauté
relevé) closing with
Développé entrechat trois.
grand rond Improvisation with
de jambe, contrasting pieces
and dégagé of music.
en tournant 45-60 pointe work
Move adding in fondus
slightly and grand
away from battements and
the barre: adagio en pointe.
Echappés Curtsey/Bow at the
and relevés close of class.
passé with
pas de
bourrée
couru

8 45-60 minute Preparation for Warm-up Port de bras.

5x week pilaties conditioning professional exercise Battements tendus
120 pre-class. Cool dance. Mastery of Pliés and including
minutes down/stretching technique, port de bras pirouettes.
ages 15-16 post class. musicality, Battements Adage en relevé
placement, use of tendus and enchaînement
the feet in pointe battements Pirouette
shoes. Transitional dégagés enchaînement.
steps, Ronds de Petite allegro.
performance, style jambe à 3 Enchaînement
(nuance) and terre to a combinations
uniqueness. Class gavotte en Mezzo allegro
en pointe in the relevé including
center at least 3 Battements Batterie
times a week. frappés and Relevés (girls)
Build strength and petites grand allegro:
endurance of the battements Tombe coupe jetés
inner thighs and to a chardish en ménage.
standing leg. Prep friszka Classical solo/rep.
for major Battements Curtsey/Bow at the
variations and fondus. close of class.
pieces requiring Grand
lots of stamina. battements
Strengthen the and
hamstrings and battements
dynamic core, balances to
especially the a 6/8 waltz
psoas.

2 Pre –class: Run Familiarize all 5 Demi plies in Battements tendus,

2x week around the room a feet and arms 1 and 2nd. devant and à la
60-75 min couple times and positions. “Point lift” seconde.
ages 9-10 have them find their Arabesque. Spring step. Progression of
place at the barre/ pointes and spring Battements pirouettes:
short cardio warm heels. tendus, Quarter and half
up and light Preparations for devant and à turns
stretching. dégagés and la seconde. 1) turns with
Post-class: piques. Focus on Retirés. keeping
introduce more good ballet Arabesque shape up
intense stretching. posture. positions. Jumps progression:
Incorporate Petite jetés, 2-1 and 1- other
artistry and devant and Petite allegro:
expressiveness. derrière. Sautés
Focus on port de Mezzo allegro:
bras & spatial Chassé à la
awareness. seconde. Run and
 Prepare dancers step into
for tendus with arabesque. Fifth
plié that trains position arms.
them for petite Polka sideways.
allegro (further, Gallops forward
mezzo and grand and sideways.
as well). Running and
Strengthen the poising on the toes
intrinsic muscles en ménage.
and begins to Grand allegro:
shape and define grand
he musculature of Jetés on the
the leg. Also teach diagnol
them to use their Improvisation with
plié and the floor contrasting pieces
for the maximum of music.
power. 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 Movement
Beginning facing wall 8 (cecchetti)
arms bra bas, feet parallel
Intro Plié, relevé & put hands on hips
1-2 Tip toe on demi pointe stepping
with right leg, then left
3-4 “
5-6 Plié in parallel
7-8 Relevé in parallel
Repeat counts 1-8
Ending 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 Movement
Facing en face
Intro (7-8) Plié in first position, hands on hips
1-2 échappé second, Fermé
first position (feet) (hands on
hips)
3-4 “ bring arms to bras bas on 4
5-6 Arms first, high fifth (head
following) (legs in first position)
7-8 Arms second, bras bas (legs in
first position) head following R
hand
Ending 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 barre

Tendu and plié: ¾ grand waltz

Counts Movement
Facing the barre
Intro Arms bras bas, legs in first
position. Plié arms to the barre,
head facing devant
1-2 Plié, straight
3-4 Tendu devant, fermé
first position(R leg)
5-6 Plié, straight
7-8 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 leg
Ending 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 barre

Retirés: 2/4 simple polka

Counts Movement
Facing 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 devant
3-4 Conditional cou-de-pied devant
5-6 Passé through conditional cou-de-
pied devant to retiré devant
7-8 Passé through retiré derrière to
conditional cou-de-pied derrière
1-2 Fermé Fifth position R leg derrière
3-4 Conditional cou-de-pied derrière
5-6 Passé through retire derrière to
Hretiré devant
7-8 (+) 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 barre

Relevés: 4/4 Reel

Counts Movement
Facing 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 Movement
Intro 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 bas
1-16 Balance R leg at 45 degrees à la
seconde and arms second
position, head devant
Ending 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’air
o 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 barre

Tendu with accent change: ¾ Rag Waltz

Counts Movement
Intro 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 in
fermé 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 in
fermé 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 fifth
o All tendus à la seconde: head quarter turn to the devant
leg, R arm in second positon
o 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 Movement
Intro 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
devant
Ending 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 barre

Grand battements: 4/4 Military March

Counts Movement
Intro 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.