Ballet Fundamentals Lesson 2 — Teaching Library
Barre Work
Port de Bras (Arm Positions Exercise)
Steps: Hold 1st → 2nd → allongé, repeat with head movement.
Purpose: Teaches arm carriage, hand shaping, coordination with breath.
Skill Focus: Port de bras, posture, coordination.
Level: Super Beginner → Beginning
Tendus with Demi-Plié (1st Position)
Steps: Tendu front, demi-plié, close. Repeat side, back, side.
Purpose: Combines plié and tendu, introduces flow.
Skill Focus: Turnout, foot articulation, plié depth.
Level: Super Beginner → Beginning
Passé (Front ↔ Back Through 1st)
Steps: Brush front tendu, slide through 1st, carry to back tendu.
Purpose: Teaches turnout and correct pathway through 1st.
Skill Focus: Turnout, hip alignment, pathways.
Level: Beginning
Tendus from 5th (En Croix)
Steps: From 5th, tendu front, side, back, side.
Purpose: Builds strength and turnout in tighter positions.
Skill Focus: Turnout, control, precision.
Level: Beginning
Jeté/Dégagé Prep
Steps: Tendu front, brush to lift off floor, return to tendu, close.
Purpose: Introduces sharp dégagé/jeté action.
Skill Focus: Speed, sharpness, allegro prep.
Level: Beginning
Center Work
Extension Stretch (Flexed Foot)
Steps: Hold leg extension with flexed foot, options for hand placement.
Purpose: Increases hamstring flexibility, posture.
Skill Focus: Flexibility, alignment.
Level: Super Beginner
V-Sit Hold (Boat Position)
Steps: Lift both legs + arms, hold 2×8 counts, lower slowly.
Purpose: Core strength, posture.
Skill Focus: Core, straight legs, pointed toes.
Level: Beginning
Grand Battement with Flex Foot
Steps: Lift straight leg to 90°+ with flexed foot, lower with control.
Purpose: Strengthens quads, teaches extension.
Skill Focus: Extension, strength, turnout prep.
Level: Beginning
Tendus in Center (From 5th)
Steps: From 5th, tendu front, side, back, side with arms on shoulders.
Purpose: Balance, turnout, body stability.
Skill Focus: Control, alignment.
Level: Beginning
Tendus with Plié Combo
Steps: Tendu front → demi-plié → close; repeat en croix.
Purpose: Prepares for jumps, teaches weight placement.
Skill Focus: Turnout, jump prep, musicality.
Level: Beginning
Across-the-Floor
Brushing Jetés
Steps: Brush leg forward, step through toe-ball-heel, repeat across floor.
Purpose: Builds toward traveling jetés and grands battements.
Skill Focus: Leaps, strength, coordination.
Level: Beginning
Skips (Front & Back)
Steps: Skip forward with high knees and pointed toes, skip backward with hamstring use.
Purpose: Builds cardio, musicality, directional control.
Skill Focus: Leaps, rhythm, strength.
Level: Super Beginner → Beginning
Conditioning & Stretching
Straddle Stretch
Steps: Sit in straddle, nose-to-knee, then walk hands forward.
Purpose: Improves flexibility and turnout.
Skill Focus: Flexibility, posture.
Level: All levels
Front Splits (Right & Left)
Steps: From lunge, slide into split, hold 1 min.
Purpose: Hip opening, hamstring flexibility.
Skill Focus: Flexibility, extension.
Level: Beginning (modified for super beginners)