| The ballet bar allows beginners and novice dancers to | | | | barre. |
| do a variety of exercises to improve their posture | | | | The barre exercises don't just benefit the |
| and steadiness. The barre exercises come in many | | | | extremities. Resistance building helps to prepare the |
| forms and involve foot and hand work. These | | | | trunk and back for jumps and turns. The spine also |
| exercises are used as warm-ups and form the basis | | | | becomes stronger and flexible with resistance |
| for complicated routines. | | | | exercises. |
| Most dancers are advised to include barre exercises | | | | It is important to perform stretches on ballet dance |
| as a significant proportion of their routines. This holds | | | | bars. These are done by placing one leg on the barre |
| for beginners and advanced learners. The cardinal | | | | with the supporting leg straight. The toes are pointed |
| barre exercises are monotonous and extremely slow. | | | | and the back is held straight. After that the dancer |
| This is however their main strength. The exercises | | | | should bend forward and stretch the spine while |
| help build strength in the dancer's feet and legs. | | | | keeping the legs straight. |
| They also help the dancers learn correct dance | | | | The last of the exercises entails stretching the trunk |
| postures. These exercises benefit a dancer by giving | | | | outwards with one hand sweeping above the head. |
| him or her better steadiness and balance. | | | | In all of the above exercises the hips should not be |
| The warm ups help stretch the hand and leg muscles | | | | pushed out. It is important to maintain the same basic |
| before a routine. The barre exercises are especially | | | | posture for all three steps. In the last step the |
| helpful in this regard. Regular practice on the barre | | | | dancer should stretch out as far as possible without |
| helps improve footwork to a great extent. Dancers | | | | forcing himself or herself. |
| also increase the accuracy of their footwork on the | | | | |