Sleek Barre Technique was created by Flik Swan and Victoria Marr, the founders of ballet fitness company, Sleek Technique.  As two women with busy lives, they created the Barre Technique system to keep them in prime shape when they are short on time or can’t make it to the studio. These 3 x 20 minute choreographed programs are designed to give you a strong, sculpted and slender dancer’s physique with minimum fuss. Each muscle-refining routine can be performed at a barre or at a steady chair or kitchen counter and consists of pliés, port de bras arm positions, leg extensions and stretches, based on classical ballet technique.

 

Sleek Barre Technique programmes build in intensity and can be played individually or consecutively. Each Barre Technique sequence is designed to strengthen and tone a beautiful sleek body, refining and defining the muscles in your calves, thighs, and glutes while strengthening the core muscles and improving your posture.

 

This DVD consists of:

 

Tutorial: Flik and Victoria help you learn the basic foundations of ballet, making sure your posture is correct and you have the right alignment.

 

Warm Up: (10 mins.)  Every ballerina knows the importance of a proper warm-up and this routine is perfect to thoroughly heat your body and stretch your muscles, preparing you for the following three routines.  

 

Program 1: This foundational routine begins with upper and lower body floor exercises designed to engage your muscles in the correct order, ready for your barre work.  You’ll begin with simple sequences at a challenging pace, practicing pulsing pliés, relevés, poised balances and coordinating arm lines, followed by tendu, fondu & battement exercises. All are designed to firm and strengthen the body while keeping it supple and Sleek.

 

Program 2: This routine increases in difficulty and pace, raising your heart rate with each balletic sequence.  The movements engage your whole body with port de bras side and back bends and plié transfers, as well as quicker glissé and relevé exercises, moving up to sweeping leg movements and arabesque sequences. Program 2 will sculpt and lengthen the muscles.

 

Program 3: The final flowing Barre routine is the most intensive in the series. Incorporating all you have learned in programs 1 and 2 you will be pushed to repeat each movement at a faster tempo with the addition of grande pliés, fouettés and classical attitudes to elevate your heart rate and get you sweating.  Programme 3’s choreography will drive you to your next level of fitness, giving you a dancer’s physique with beautifully chiseled ballet muscles.

 

Cool Down (5 mins) is so important as it will keep your muscles lean and elongated.  This stretching sequence will give you time to restore your body to its regular state as you recover from your Barre Technique workout.