This exercise is designed to warm up and prepare dancers for more challenging sequences by enhancing their pointe work and ensuring they are centred and balanced. It integrates legwork with arm movements to improve coordination and fluidity in their ballet technique.

Preparation:

Position dancers sideways to the barre, ensuring they have enough space for leg extensions and arm movements.

Steps:

1. Start with a degagé devant in fondu, executing a rond de jambe to derrière, coordinating with port de bras through 1st to 2nd position.

2. Have students perform two rond de jambe en dehors, maintaining a smooth and controlled motion.

3. Pass through 1st position in a demi-plié and elevate to relevé in devant.

4. Have students transition into rond de jambe en dehor to derrière sur la pointe, closing in 5th position en pointe.

5. Cue students to execute port de bras forward while remaining en pointe, focusing on stability, then recovering.

6. Finish with a cambré to stretch and recover, preparing the body for further exercises.

7. Reverse the sequence by starting with a degagé derrière and proceeding with rond de jambe en dedan.

Focus:

Emphasise proper alignment, especially when transitioning to and from pointe, and the fluidity of arm movements in conjunction with leg actions.