When someone enters a room with the poise and posture that ballerinas have, they somehow grab the attention and demand respect from the room without saying a single word. This is not arrogance and not a sense of authority, but rather the openness and friendliness that dancers carry onto the stage with their performances is what you can take into a room.
Everyday Ballet II has emphasized the importance of posture. And yet again, posture is a necessity to achieving that dancer's lean and strong body. Posture is also important in opening up your joint muscles from the top of your head, down your spine and to your pinky toe. Keeping good posture will build up slight, yet essential back muscles, and will help prevent future body pains as you get older. Furthermore, movement throughout your body is important in keeping the circulation of blood flowing throughout it and through the years. In conjunction with keeping your spine healthy and providing oxygen to flow through the nervous system, this will keep your body healthier and happier for much longer than otherwise suggested.
Keeping this in mind, Everyday Ballet III will show you another great ballet move that you can do at home! Joseph Pilates uses the following ballet step as inspiration for many of his floor leg strengthening exercises.
Rond de jambe à terre
Continuing to keep your body tall and straight, picturing a grand crown on your head - hold it up proudly - and your feet being rooted to the ground, put your arms straight out to the sides. Make sure you are carrying your arms from your triceps while keeping your shoulders down and have energy flowing out through your fingertips. Next, put your legs and feet out into first position: keeping heels together, place your toes facing outwards as if to make a pie/pizza slice. While continuing to keep your body tall and straight, your arms out to the sides in second position, take your foot out to the front (keep your leg turned out - meaning, keep your heel turned out to the 'audience' as if you are presenting it to them), and then bring it out to the side, and then slightly transfer your weight forwards (so you don't fall over) and bring your leg to the back. Finally, have your foot pass through the back to the front in a flat position. You are essentially drawing a big capital "D" on the ground with your foot.
This can be done with both the right and the left foot/leg and is recommended to be done at least eight times per rep.
Other useful sources is the DVD Stott Pilates: Be Kind to your Spine available on Amazon.ca.
