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25-Minute Beginner Ballet Class

25-Minute Beginner Ballet Class — video by Kathryn Morgan Play · 25:36

Video by Kathryn Morgan on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Ballet teacher Kathryn Morgan explains then leads each barre exercise - rises, pliés, tendus, dégagés, rond de jambe, frappés and grand battements - and ends with a short centre combination with small jumps. Made for complete beginners.

  • 26 min
  • Beginner
  • Moderate impact
  • chair
  • Ballet barre

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 9

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  1. Warm-up facing the barre: rise high onto the balls of the feet and lower over four counts, then tendu and plié. 0:23
  2. Pliés in first and second: two slow demi-pliés and a grand plié, weight centred over both feet, then a side bend. 2:55
  3. Tendus from first: three slow tendus to the front, side and back, moving the arm through each position. 5:47
  4. Tendus from fifth: two slow tendus each way, then a coupé balance on a flat foot, pressing the big toe down. 9:04
  5. Dégagés: four slow to the side, eight faster, then front and back closing in first. 12:32
  6. Rond de jambe: circle the leg on the floor, then off it, ending with a brush through coupé to the back. 15:04
  7. Frappés: strike out from the ankle in each direction, one slow and two quick. 19:12
  8. Grand battements: tendu, plié and two big kicks to the front, side and back; they don't have to be high. 21:23
  9. Centre combination at the barre: four small jumps changing the feet, then coupé and steps back, side and front. 23:33

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Rise high onto the balls of the feet and feel the crown of the head lengthen
  • Press the big toe into the floor to help you balance
  • Keep your weight centred over both feet in pliés

What it works

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Joints it uses 3 takes load

  • Hips takes loadpliés, rond de jambe, dégagés, grand battements
  • Knees takes loaddemi and grand pliés, small jumps at the end
  • Ankles & feet takes loadrises onto demi-pointe, tendus, changements
  • Shoulders movesport de bras arm lines
  • Jumping or hopping. Impact goes through the ankles, knees and hips.
  • Standing on one leg. Keep a chair or a wall within reach.

Easier option from the coach: Barre held for the exercises; grand battements 'don't have to be high'

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Kathryn Morgan; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety