The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 5 Intermediate Centerwork on Turns & Jumps Exercise 3. Chaînés turns, pas de bourrée, pirouettes en dehors, port de bras Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: This exercise works your eyes, improves your spotting, and reinforces the pirouette preparation. Think of your chaînés turns as a 2-count en dehors turn: on count 1 you step forward on the first foot and on count 2 you make a full turn on the second foot. Beginners will find it easier to spot if they point the front hand where they will spot. The formula is step & turn, step & turn. The en dehors pirouette is done facing the mirror so you can watch yourself prepare correctly: coiling the spine, reaching back with the supporting arm and shoulder, making the "S" curve with the leading arm while bending the supporting knee past the supporting toes and going to "The End of the Plié". Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT demonstrates and improves after Finis coaches her.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 4 Intermediate Centerwork on Jumps Exercise 8. Preparing for the jeté dessus Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: This exercise lays the groundwork for the simple jeté so that you will be able to make your body rise in the air and land with control. The word "jeté" has two syllables: "je" and "té." First you make the "je" which is a relevé on the supporting foot with the free foot in dégagé to the side—this is your aerial position. Next you make the "té" which is a fondu derrière—this is the landing position. If you begin the demi-plié for the relevé with your body securely placed over and connected to the foot that pushes the floor, you will rise to a secure balance. Do this when you jump and you'll be able to "stand in the air." Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT demonstrates while Finis stands by and coaches.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 4 Intermediate Centerwork on Jumps Exercise 3. Sissone passé derrière, pas de bourrée dessous, chassé pas de bourrée Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: This exercise teaches you how to spring off two feet to land on one foot and then practice changing directions as you travel sideways and forward with pas de bourrées. Stretch and strengthen the demi-plié on one foot so you'll be ready to jump. Learn to focus your eyes properly and use your back shoulder and arm so you can step out and move your feet and legs quickly. Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT demonstrates while Finis stands by and coaches.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 4 Intermediate Centerwork on Turns Exercise 3. Assemblé soutenu en tournant en dedans, promenade en dedans en attitude, arabesque pose, pas de bourrée en avant Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: This exercise teaches you to begin each movement with the muscles of the supporting foot and leg fully engaged in connecting your body to the floor. In order to turn to a new direction, you reach back with an arm and shoulder. You are always turning your arms and legs out and away from each other. You work from the inside-out, constantly opening from the center of the body. One foot leads so the other will follow naturally. One movement always leads to another. You are in constant motion, sending energy and weight equally in opposite directions. Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT demonstrates while Finis stands by and coaches.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 4 Intermediate Centerwork on Turns Exercise 1: Assemblé soutenu en tournant en dedans & en dehors (half turn) Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: This exercise teaches you the mechanics of turning while strengthening the demi-plié on one leg and solidifying your balance on half-toe. Finis emphasizes learning to reach and turn your supporting arm and shoulder in order to begin turning around. Sharpen your focus and register the balance by looking for yourself in the mirror. The mechanics of turning involve not only the supporting shoulder but also the turning out and around of each leg as you step from one foot to the other. When you demi-plié, you are reminded to place your body weight completely on the rising foot knowing that its movement draws the free foot into position on half-toe. You always have one leg that tells the other what to do and when to do it. This preparation is basic for the simple pirouette en dedans and en dehors. Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT demonstrates while Finis stands by and coaches.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 4 Intermediate Barrework Exercise 7: Medium battement tendu en croix with demi-plié, retiré, 5th position Finis shows the exercise and then it is demonstrated on both sides, repeated, and coached with these Teaching Points: The French terms are defined in English. This exercise begins with a demi-plié in 5th coming up to a pointe tendu which moves out into a demi-plié in either fourth or second and returns to the pointe tendu balance. The pattern is front-back-side finishing in retiré, and then is reversed. Opening into and returning from the transitional demi-plié must be done without tilting the pelvis. Each demi-plié is done with upward resistance and keeping the tops of both legs fully rotated. Each demi-plié into the open position is done by rolling the foot—toe-ball-heel—against the floor with pressure and control to develop strength. You are reminded that you working to strengthen your muscles and balance. You are reminded that everything "goes out"—breathe out, turn out, stretch out. The exercise is done first on the left foot, then the right, and repeats. When you repeat the exercise, you are encouraged to challenge yourself by taking your hand off the barre and to make sure you are always on your leg and ready to move off the heel. Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT expertly demonstrates while Finis stands by and coaches.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 4 Intermediate Barrework Exercise 6: Slow battement tendu with stretches Finis shows the exercise and then it is demonstrated on both sides, repeated, and coached with these Teaching Points: The French terms are defined in English. This exercise makes you feel the difference between being completely balanced on your supporting leg, moving off it into a full body stretch, and returning to the balanced tendu. As you work from one foot to the other you will practice various port de bras. The first half of the exercise ends with rapid tendus to the side. The next half of the exercise is done facing the barre in a relaxed demi-plié in 1st position plié while you make head circles which stretch your neck and shoulders. You complete the exercise balancing on half-toe with the free foot flexed to the supporting heel. You will work your pelvic and hip muscles while strengthening the relevé position. The music by Scott Killian is extraordinarily beautiful and will inspire you to dance the entire exercise. Saige Miller of the JKO School at ABT expertly demonstrates while Finis stands by and coaches.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 3 Centerwork Exercise 2: Pas de bourrée dessus, dessous, tendu, fondu arabesque, pas de bourrée en avant Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: The French terms are defined in English. When you pas de bourrée push the floor so you are fully balanced on one foot and are able to reach and place the free foot as far as possible. This enlarges your movement. Reach the supporting arm in opposition to the movement of the free foot. Move forward leading with the toe and hips. Move both arms through a fully rounded 1st position and then rotate both arms outward as you plié in arabesque. Glenn Keenan of The New York City Ballet demonstrates, Finis corrects and coaches and Glenn repeats the exercise with noticeable difference.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 3 Centerwork Exercise 1: Tendu plié, pas de bourrée dessous, passé en arrière, port de bras Finis shows the exercise step by step and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: The French terms are defined in English. Finis breaks down the exercise one step at a time. Keep your supporting shoulder placed outside the supporting toe. Press the supporting arm down as you did while working at the barre. Push down in order to come up from the plié. Each step of the pas de bourrée is a piqué balance on one foot—as at the barre, you're always on one leg. Work into the demi-plié slowly so you control the placement of the hips. Roll up through your spine so you stretch your back muscles.

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique Level 3 Barrework Exercise 9: Footwork, stretches, balance, 1st position Finis shows the exercise and then it is demonstrated and coached with these Teaching Points: This exercise gets you on your leg and then stretches your entire body you so you'll be ready for rond de jambes, developpés, and grands battements. At the barre in front of the mirror, Finis shows you how to stay on your leg as you make the free foot stronger and more flexible with pushes, pas de chevals, and quick dégagés. Next, you get off your leg and slide down to the floor with the free leg in second so you stretch the hips and hamstrings (preparing for rond de jambe en l'air and developpé); from there, you then turn into a lunge with the free knee on the floor which stretches the psoas muscle (for the arabesque). After you've worked both sides, you then relax and stretch the body with a circular port de bras in both directions. You complete the exercise balancing on half-toe while spotting the head. Glenn Keenan of The New York City Ballet demonstrates.