Move · Videos · Dance · 57 min

Silver Swans Ballet Class: World Ballet Day 2024

Silver Swans Ballet Class: World Ballet Day 2024 — video by Royal Academy of Dance Play · 57:11

Video by Royal Academy of Dance on YouTube · Open on YouTube

A full Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans class for older learners: barre work (pliés, tendus, brushing jetés, rond de jambe, grand battement), then a tiny step-jump and a centre adage with balances. Warm, funny teaching; ballet terms are used freely. Hold a barre or sturdy support.

  • 57 min
  • Intermediate
  • Moderate impact
  • chair
  • Ballet barre

Good forHealthy ageingDancing for fun

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Step by step 14

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Facing the barre: tendus front, side and back with flex and point, small pliés, an arm over and a rise. 2:06
  2. The same exercise to music on both legs, squeezing the inner thighs as the foot closes to first. 6:49
  3. Pliés taught: demi and grand pliés, or a port de bras instead, through first, second, fourth and fifth. 9:35
  4. Pliés to the music on the right side, ending with a port de bras of your choice and a balance. 12:45
  5. Balance tip: rise over the back foot to lock the ankles in fifth; then the pliés on the left side. 15:05
  6. Battement tendus: step forward, point front, side and back, closing in front and behind, then reverse. 19:22
  7. Tendus on the left side, adding a look towards the front foot and then away from it. 22:45
  8. Brushing jetés: brush the leg out to about 45 degrees and close, front, back and side, with a piqué. 25:11
  9. Rond de jambe taught: fondu, slow and quick leg circles, a port de bras forward and back, and a chassé. 29:54
  10. Rond de jambe to the music on both sides, passing the foot through first to start each new circle. 34:26
  11. Grand battements, as low as you like, then a tiny step-jump: step, brush the other leg forward and hop onto it. 38:12
  12. Centre adage taught: chassé forward, three glissades, arabesque pulses, balancés and a soutenu turn. 42:36
  13. Practise the adage in small groups; lead the arms with the elbow, then let the wrist and fingers follow. 46:19
  14. The adage performed by each group; look over your shoulder in the balancé to ease the spine. 52:45

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

Form cues from the coach

  • Face the barre if you cannot see behind you, so you do not strain your neck
  • Squeeze the inside thighs as you close the leg to first position
  • Keep any jump tiny and the knee lift low; do not go higher than is comfortable

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 3 takes load

  • Hips takes loadtendus, jetés, rond de jambe, arabesque
  • Knees takes loaddemi and grand pliés, step-jumps, balances
  • Ankles & feet takes loadtiny jumps, rises, balances, pointing
  • Shoulders movesport de bras, arm positions
  • Lower back movesport de bras, arabesque, spine mobilising
  • 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: Hold the barre or a chair; port de bras can replace grand pliés; keep jumps tiny

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 Royal Academy of Dance; 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