When you hear the word ‘Ballet’, you think of tutus, graceful poses and powdery pink ballet slippers. Ballet may not be everyone. Apart from the ability to balance your weight on your toes, your body also requires a lot of strength and grace to actually move swiftly. But if you don’t want to go as far as taking a ballet class, you can try a few simple ballet moves in the comfort of your own home to develop a little more grace into your workout regime, and it’s especially great for dance, too.
The Bridge
The exercise targets the muscles of your inner things, back of the legs, core muscles and the butt, and you can do it all just by lying on your back.
Place a yoga mat on the ground, and lie on your back with your stomach pulled in. Keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Then straighten your right leg and point your toes upwards while you keep your stomach pulled in as tight as you can, while lifting your hips off the floor. Complete 30 reps and repeat with the left leg.
The Thigh and Butt Firmer
Ballerinas have amazingly toned figures, and a toned lower body starts with strong and lean thighs.
On your mat, start on all fours, and bring one knee into your chest, extending the leg straight back, while keeping it straight. Pull in through your stomach and lift your leg high up, keeping it straight as possible.
The Graceful Sit-up
Balance is the main key to ballet, and balance starts with the core muscles. Working your abs in ballet is important to strengthen your abdominal musicales which really keeps your balance in check. Lay on your back with arms open and knees bent slightly. Pull your stomach in as you lift your upper body. Keep your arms overhead, creating a circular frame around your head. Don’t forget to keep your stomach in, and repeat 30 times.
The Plié
This classic ballet move combines. Start by standing with your feet apart, arms at the sides and toes turned out. Stand up straight, contract your gluteus, and squat down slowly as low as you can go. At the same time, raise your arms up to shoulder height in front of the body. Hold for 2 seconds, and slowly rise up to the starting position.
