This exercise is designed to help younger students develop an awareness of their transverse abdominis and oblique muscles. By pressing their lower abdominals towards a fusion ball, students can develop a more tactile understanding of core stabilisation, a crucial aspect of core strength in ballet.

Preparation: Place a half-inflated fusion ball under the students' sacrum as they lie on their mat. Their hands should be resting on their iliac crests (hip bones).

Steps:

1. Students begin by lifting their knees into a tabletop position.

2. Staying connected to the fusion ball, they move their legs (still bent) slightly to the right side. Remind them to exhale deeply as they move, while still maintaining contact with the fusion ball.

3. Slowly move the legs forward and then return to the tabletop position.

4. Repeat the movement on the left side. Increase the repetitions as they gain strength.

Focus: Check that students are maintaining gentle naval pressure towards the fusion ball without moving their legs too low.