Welcome to Focus Warm-up 3 guided by Coni Belgareto. Although this class is a full body warm-up, we will be placing a particular emphasis on strength and technique for adage. Dancers will work carefully and mindfully through a series of exercises designed to better their proprioception and improve their alignment for extensions in all directions.

The class begins with Hip Warm-up, a band exercise that targets the deep rotators. Using the yellow mini-loop band, dancers will activate their adductors and abductors, all the while connecting with their core to enhance the fluidity of their movement.

In Foundation Derriere Training, we will focus on strengthening the posterior chain for arabesque. Feeling the rotation from the tops of the legs and supporting the spine with the abdominals can be difficult for younger dancers who often lack the awareness and physical maturity to consciously engage specific muscle groups. This exercise teaches dancers the importance of hip placement and leg alignment, helping them connect with both their core and deep rotator muscles.

A brilliant exercise for coaching turnout and coordination in this class is Devant Control. Here, dancers will use the Fusion Ball to find and correct their alignment in attitude devant. The Fusion Ball adds a stability challenge, bringing awareness to the supporting leg.

Tips:

Watch out for sickled feet — particularly when lifting the legs derriere

Remind dancers to turnout from the tops of the legs, not just the ankles.

Encourage dancers to keep their backs long — creating space between each vertebrae.