- Before any exercise you should warm up your muscles so you don't pull something. Start with some pliés. Place your feet in first position, heels together, toes pointed outward. Suck in your stomach and tuck your butt under. Slowly bend your knees. Do not allow your heels to come off the floor. Bend until you reach the point where your heels are about to lift up, then straighten your legs and return to a standing position. Repeat 20 times.
- Stand up straight. Shift your weight to your left leg and lift your right leg up. Bend it and place your toe at the side of your left knee so your right leg forms a triangle. Your right knee will be pointing to the right. Tuck in your stomach and tuck your butt under, which opens up your hips. Hold for five beats. Lower your leg to a point near your left ankle then lift again. Repeat 10 times. Switch sides and repeat.
- Sit on your tailbone and bring your legs into your chest. Slowly straighten your legs upward and lift your arms so your body forms a "V." Keep your back straight and hold for 10 counts. Bring your legs in and rest for a moment. Repeat 10 times.
- Start in first position, the heels of your feet touching, toes pointed outward. Stand tall, stomach sucked in, hips under. Hold on to the top of a chair if you need support. Keeping your right leg straight, lift it to hip level, hold for three beats and slowly lower. Repeat 10 times. Switch sides and repeat.
- Start with your feet in first position, heels together, toes pointed outward. Slowly rise up on the balls of your feet, pressing them into the floor. Keep your legs straight and hold your stomach in, hips and butt tucked under. Hold for 10 counts. Slowly lower back down to the floor. This is an elevé. Repeat 20 times. Then repeat the entire exercise, this time adding a plié (bending of the knees) to push you up onto the balls of your feet. Lower back down slowly. Repeat 20 times.
