This exercise serves as a comprehensive warm-up, aimed at both mental focus and physical readiness for class. It is designed to gently prepare the body, emphasising the importance of warming up the upper body and hip flexors.

Preparation: Begin by having the student sit on the mat, legs bent towards the right side of the body in a figure 4 shape. They have a fusion ball to the left, where their left hand will rest lightly upon it. Stress the necessity of starting with an elongated spine and a relaxed shoulder girdle to ensure a safe and effective warm-up.

Steps:

Part 1

1. Guide the student to exhale as the music starts, encouraging them to follow their right arm in a port de bras over the head, maintaining the classical arm and head shape. Instruct them to inhale slowly through the nose.

2. As the student slides the fusion ball outward, they should move into a sideways bend. Ensure they maintain a lifted underarm and the classical shape of both the arm and the hand on the fusion ball, exhaling slowly through the mouth.

3. Encourage the student to follow their arm back to the upright position, maintaining deep, slow breaths throughout.

This sequence should be repeated three times before the student turns to face the right side, extending the legs straight and sliding the fusion ball as far down as possible while keeping the spine elongated. They then return to the starting position and repeat the sequence facing the back.

Part 2

1. Have the student lay down and place their right foot on top of the fusion ball. The right leg starts in a parallel position, foot in demi-pointe.

2. Instruct the student to slowly bend the right leg, rolling through the metatarsals, and moving the leg en dehors into its natural turnout. Emphasise the importance of keeping the left hip from twisting.

3. Guide the student to slide their leg into a small seconde position, noting the foot's natural movement towards the right side of the ball. They should then return to the starting position by bending the knee in the rotated position and adjusting the leg back into parallel, sliding the fusion ball back to the start. Place the alternate the foot on the fusion ball and repeat.

This part is performed four times in total, with slow breathing accompanying the musical phrase throughout.

Focus:

Observing the students for correct port de bra shape. Provide cues to prevent the twisting of the hip and to ensure the smooth transition through the articulation of the foot movements.