Marie Walton-Mahon

Dear Gabrielle,Thank you for your thoughtful question. Yes, during barre work, students should feel the activation of their deep rotators and adductors — these are key muscle groups that support correct turnout and pelvic stability.To help them find this, encourage the sensation of the leg wrapping outward from the top of the thigh. This imagery of spiralling from the deep rotators — rather than forcing the feet — promotes safe turnout. The wrapping action should feel like the thigh bone is rotating outward in the hip socket, with the adductors gently drawing the legs towards the midline to stabilise.You can check if they’re using the correct muscles by observing the following:The pelvis remains neutral, not tucked.The knees are aligned over the middle toes, without rolling in or forcing from the foot.There’s no gripping in the gluteus maximus — the seat should feel firm but not clenched.If you place your hands lightly on the inner thighs and ask them to imagine ‘zipping up’ through the midline, they should feel a gentle activation of the adductors and deep support around the hip socket.Proprioceptive tools like resistance bands also give them feedback on engaging these muscles. Once they build this awareness, they’ll develop turnout that is both functional and safe.Warm wishes, Your PBT team

Are students supposed to feel their deep rotators and adductors working during barre work ? how can i tell if they are using the correct muscles for turnout ?Thankyou

Gabrielle Geremia

Dear DefineYou make a good observation. As we do many port de bras with soft fingers and soft port de bras in many exercises. I haven't noticed that the holding of the band disturbs the finger alignment. The focus is obviously on the activation of the turnout and alignment. However, feel free to tie the band on the barre if you wish.Thank youYour PBT team

Hi PBT team, I assume for some students to hold the PBT band on barre could create hard fingers and hand rather than soft hands and fingers. Would it be a problem? And can we change this by tying the band to the barre? Should we? Thank you in advance!Best wishes,Defne

Barre Refinement: Wrapping

Back To Basics

Turnout Extension

Turnout

En dehors control

Frappé & petit battement

Retiré with Bands

Corkscrew Preparation

Scissor Technique Derrière

En Dehors - Extension

External Rotation Press

Turnout Power Band

Lengthen, Hold, Breathe

Loop & Rotate

Frog Loops

Music Used

It's common for students to be overly focused on the working leg when doing barre work. This exercise helps students be more aware of using both sides of the body during barre work, developing the balance necessary for transitioning smoothly to centre exercises.

Preparation: Students should sit and fold the resistance band in half, placing it over their thighs. Instruct them to sit on the excess band, wrapping one leg twice en dehors, ensuring a slight overlap for stability.

Steps:

1. Have students face the barre, holding both ends of the band on the barre.

2. Start from the first, third, or fifth position. Then guide them through the following sequence: Demi plié and degagé devant, continuing en croix.

3. Repeat en croix from the fifth position.

4. Move on to battement fondu en croix.

5. Have students do three internal-external rotations with an extension.

6. Close derrière and repeat with the left leg.

Focus: Ensure students maintain an upright posture and equal engagement of both legs.

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