"Bar Method" and similar DVDs-- beneficial or detrimental in

[KikiM]

Hello,

 

I have a bunch of ballet-workout DVD's I purchased (bar method, Tracey Anderson, etc) -- which I used a few times, then became interested in taking real adult beginner ballet classes. Now that I've been taking class for a few weeks, I can see how I could improve much more quickly if I was able to build up strength. Even going to ballet class several times a week, though, I am just not getting enough of a workout, since the parts of the class that make my legs burn (the developpes, battements) are limited in the very beginner classes I take. It seems like doing just a few battements every class is not really doing much to improve my leg lifting abilities very quickly. So I did one of my DVDs today-- Bar Method's Dancer's Body-- and the workout was killer, I definitely felt it in every muscle. But I am concerned that if I did this workout regularly, I may build up the wrong muscles-- some of the exercises in the dvds use turnout, some not. And there are tons of exercises for the bum-- which muscles I barely hit in my classes (but could use some lifting!). Is this a silly concern? I had never danced before last month and am LOVING these classes, so I want to do all that I can to learn the "right" way from the start.

[Serrée]

Hello,

 

"The Bar Method" came to my town last year and I went for a free session. To be honest, I think it is bad. For example, in one exercise we stood on demipointe in parallel and squeezed the bejeez out of a pillow between our legs. But ofcourse no one was checking hip alignment or even mentioned it. Do that sort of thing too often and you may build a lot of muscle really fast but end up causing all sorts of imbalances. That's why I am also really against the brute force boot camp style exercises. Pilates and yoga are good if you take the time to really try to do it properly.

 

I think ballet has the right approach in building the body slowly over a period of months and years with (hopefuly) a heavy focus on proper form. I used to wonder why so few repetitions were done at the barre. Maybe a teacher can answer that but I now think that it is giving the body a chance to learn the moves in the correct way- so just a bit at a time. It would be like going to school and having a whole ton of stuff to learn very fast- you may cram for the exam and pass, but the mind most likely had to make all sorts of shortcuts and cheats. It is so much better when material is learnt gradually with time to properly absorb. Likewise with the body- ask it to do 100 grand battements and it can, but it will cheat- maybe twist or arch the back or whatever- the body is so clever at cheating!

 

Having said that, be careful with ballet too- even with only a few repetitions, you could be doing barre exercises out of alignment as well- teachers abilities vary- just because you are paying to have a "teacher" does not mean she will see your flaws. If someone was to take one or 2 classes a week then I doubt it matters but if you plan on taking lots of classes it surely does. When I first started ballet I was told beginners should not practice at home and I did not really assume personal responsibility for my practice. If I had to do it all over again, practicing the basics such as plies, tendues etc at home alone in front of a mirror, nice and slowly, would be the first thing I would have done- really really observing myself. I would have also taken a few private lessons or gone to see a dance physiotherapist a couple of time too- problem ofcourse is that if a teacher does not have the expertise, then the private lessons won't help.

[KikiM]

Thanks for the reply-- what you mentioned about developing the wrong muscles was what I was afraid of. Most in my classes are not in top physical shape, hence the care the teachers take in making sure no one overdoes it, but I could really use more of a physical challenge (while keeping the combinations at the very beginner level!). I feel pretty confident my teachers are keeping an eye on everyone's alignment-- they are smaller classes with some fantastic instructors-- but I do not feel as confident about doing them on my own at home just yet-- maybe in a few months. I also noticed on the school websites that private lessons are for not for beginners so that is really not an option. It's just frustrating for some of these exercises to know where the leg is supposed to go, but I cannot will it to go any higher!

[Victoria Leigh]

Excuse me, but anything that spells barre like a place you go to drink knows nothing about ballet. Do not waste your time on that kind of garbaHge.

[LaFilleSylphide]

Also, as a post script, don't forget that ballet should always be a workout - even in the most beginning and basic levels. Ask your instructor how you can be doing the exercises in a more advantageous way for your muscle development and coordination, where you should be feeling it, and if you are doing it correctly. It is always astonishing to me how a slow and basic class can often hurt as much if not more than an advanced class because I am focusing on the correct muscles.

[Garyecht]

In my mind one has to differentiate a workout from a ballet class. They are two different things, especially when the ballet class is a beginner class. In my definition, a workout is something one does to fatigue muscles. The primary aim of a workout is to develop physical qualities—strength, endurance, power, agility, balance, flexibility, and so on. A ballet class (again especially a beginner class) is about developing ballet relevant skill. Yes, one can argue that in practicing a skill one is using muscles and therefore it is a workout. In that sense, practicing the piano is a workout. I don’t think people generally think of a workout being that way. Certainly a ballet class can be a workout if one does enough allegro or repetitions, but I’d guess that most people would say that doing like 128 grand battements isn’t characteristic of a good class.

 

I’ve never heard of the Bar Method, but my guess is that it’s probably fine as an exercise approach. I mean just about any form of exercise is OK unless it leads to direct physical harm. By the same token, physical exercise is unlikely to improve anyone’s skill in ballet unless the exercise is highly specific to ballet (like floor barre).

 

I wouldn’t worry about developing the “wrong” muscles. Do whatever exercises you enjoy doing to develop general physical qualities and use ballet class to develop ballet skill.

[Hamorah]

I just looked up the Bar method on google and I have to say that while it may well be a good exercise method, like Ms Leigh it annoys me intensely to keep reading how it is unique in that it incorporates work at the bar. Lifting a pint of beer perhaps. Grrr! Anyway, it is an exercise system and not a way of learning ballet - so don't get them muddled up - it just depends on what you're looking for.

[ballethoo]

I used to wonder why so few repetitions were done at the barre.

 

My favorite teacher, Madame Volkova, used to say,"Once right better than twice wrong."

 

Peter

[Balletlove]

sorry, I know that I probably shouldnt find this funny; but I always get very tense when people spell barre as bar which is what always seems to happen by anyone not in the dancing world and all this time I have thought it was just me

[lilcris]

If you are pulling up correctly and working your turnout, even the most basic barre or ballet class should leave you fatigued because all of your core and leg muscles should be engaged at all times. I'm always surprised by how tired I can be after just a simple tendu exercise.

 

That being said, ballet is primarily a strength workout rather than a cardio workout.

 

I've been running for cardio - that has also developed my glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Pilates is also wonderful for stretching and strengthening ballet muscles. Simple at-home exercises like tons and tons of releves (with all muscles engaged, including your abs and glutes!) are also wonderful.

[KikiM]

If you are pulling up correctly and working your turnout, even the most basic barre or ballet class should leave you fatigued because all of your core and leg muscles should be engaged at all times. I'm always surprised by how tired I can be after just a simple tendu exercise.

 

That being said, ballet is primarily a strength workout rather than a cardio workout.

 

I've been running for cardio - that has also developed my glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Pilates is also wonderful for stretching and strengthening ballet muscles. Simple at-home exercises like tons and tons of releves (with all muscles engaged, including your abs and glutes!) are also wonderful.

[KikiM]

Thanks for all the replies! Great point about ballet class not being an exercise class-- I agree I think I should be supplementing the classes with something. To clarify, there is no question that I "feel it" in class (none of these moves are easy for me!)-- but it is not the same way I feel it on a hard workout tape which is based on endless repetition. I am just impatient and want to build strength more quickly!

The one area that ballet class more than exhausts are my calves-- sometimes one will "seize up" (not sure what the proper term is-- but I simply cannot hold my weight when this happens). Any tips on what to do when this happens and/or prevent this from happening?

[Victoria Leigh]

Kiki, cramps in the calf muscle are relatively easy to stretch out. Just do the stretch where you put the cramping leg straight back a few feet from the front leg, both in parallel, weight forward on the front leg which is in demi plié. Push the hips forward and reach the back leg's heel for the floor. It's like a lunge but in parallel. Legs should be in a straight line with each other.

 

Doing this stretch before classes can also help to prevent the cramping. If you feel a calf starting to tighten up, do this stretch. It's easy, takes no space, can be done facing the barre or even just putting your hands on a wall.

[KikiM]

Thank you Victoria, I am practicing the calf stretch now! I really appreciate the fantastic advice on this forum.

[Victoria Leigh]

You are most welcome, Kiki. That's what we are here for!