Anh's Beginner Ballet Barre #1

Before each exercise, run through a posture checklist: hip rotation, neutral pelvis, lifted stomach, wide back, relaxed shoulders, engaged latissimus dorsi. The first exercises stay gentle while the joints and muscles warm up.

Pliés are slow, two counts down and two up, with the little toe on the floor and the knees over the toes. In tendus from fifth, both legs bend and stretch together.

Fondus come later, once the knees are warm, and bring in the fourth position plié.