Description
This is the perfect barre workout students of all levels. Finis Jhung first shows and explains each exercise in detail: he tells you why it’s important, breaks it down count-by-count, and shows you how to do it. The exercise is then demonstrated by Melissa Elstein, first to one side, then the other, and then repeated entirely. All the while, Finis is on camera making pointers and coaching. The barre progresses and advances slowly and methodically, gradually increasing in intensity, speed and range of movement. This is a comprehensive workout for the entire body (and mind): beginners will learn the essential ideas of the ballet movement process while advanced dancers will be reminded of the often-neglected basics that make the difference. The CD music is by Scott Killian.
STREAMING WORKOUT MODE AVAILABLE
This video now offers the Workout Mode / Non-Stop class feature in both the Streaming and DVD formats.
Play the DVD in 3 modes: Full Class, Individual Exercises or Workout Mode where you can run the exercises without instruction. Once you’ve learned the exercise and heard the instructions, you may want to go straight to the demonstration with music so you can have a work-out without interruption.
You can find this feature on these videos.
The following DVDs don’t have the SPECIAL FEATURE but do allow you to skip the Instructions and go straight to the demonstration with music by using the SKIP FORWARD button:
- The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique: Stretch, Turn-out, & Extension
- The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique: The Power Barre
Streaming Playback
Streaming videos that offer the “Workout Mode / Nonstop Class” feature Streaming videos that offer the “Workout Mode / Nonstop Class” feature may be found here.
Most streaming videos do not offer multiple playback modes. Each DVD chapter/exercise is presented as an individual video. Once you complete an exercise, the next will play automatically. There is currently no “workout mode” available for most streaming videos.
About your purchasing choices…
FJ Streaming Singles We have released several brief videos (for example, our Foot Strength and Dance at Home series) which are only available to stream online. You will not receive a DVD, but may watch instantly upon completing your purchase.
DVD vs. Streaming
You’ll notice you have purchasing options on nearly all of the Finis Jhung Instructional Videos:
Streaming Playback
Streaming videos that offer the “Workout Mode / Nonstop Class” feature may be found here.
Most streaming videos do not offer multiple playback modes. Each DVD chapter/exercise is presented as an individual video. Once you complete an exercise, the next will play automatically. There is currently no “workout mode” available for most streaming videos.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
Available to Stream Instantly Online.
Stream in Workout Mode.
“Five Stars! Ballet Barre Stretch and Strength is a little difficult for me past exercise 7 as an adult beginner. I’m 58 now, but took ballet for several years in my 20s so I’m not a true beginner. I know most of the exercises but my body doesn’t have the flexibility it once had. After 2 months I’ve improved strength and flexibility. FJ does a great job reviewing and explaining posture and the purpose of each barre exercise. I now have seven of his DVDs. They are the best out there. Worth the cost when one considers the cost of classes – especially if there are no adult classes in your area!”
— Rosemary. December 6, 2019.
“FIVE STARS! CLEAR INSTRUCTION All the videos in this series are very clear and informative. Once you understand how to do each exercise, there is a workout mode you can use that by-passes the instructions*. These are the very best ballet videos I’ve seen. Highly recommended.”
—Christopher E. Reid. March 16, 2019
*Workout mode available only in hard-copy DVDs, not in Streaming Video.
“FIVE STARS! BEST BARREWORK EVER. This is my favorite barre DVD with Finis. It provides a good amount of workout and the exercises are very effective on strengthening your feet (which is essential for ballet). The movements are so elegant and well paired with the music that I feel like dancing at the barre. It was fun and effective. Can’t be done better. Thank you Finis!”
—MP. October 10, 2017
“I’ve been doing your DVDs with my mother in her 60s. It’s helping her out a lot with learning to keep her balance and have good posture. Even the slightest movements have helped strengthen her muscles. We love you.”
— Trula Hudelson
“Yet another wonderful DVD by Finis Jhung! Finis has made it possible to practice and study ballet at a sophisticated level for dancers who do not live in NYC. His library of DVDs is a treasure! I have used them for years and value them greatly.”
— Amazon Customer
“I once saw a photograph and, as I remember, it was taken in the Rockies or some such other high mountain range. Perilously close to the edge was a female dancer standing on one leg with the other raised high to the side. At least for the duration of the photographer’s shoot she was absolutely on balance. Now, falling off balance in class on stage might not have the same dire consequences but being on balance requires the same degree of care. There is no such thing as being a little bit on balance. You are on or you are not. And being on is an activity. In the case of the mountain high dancer, her body must have been on high active alert!
“As Finis Jhung says in Ballet Barre Stretch & Strength all levels: ‘Most of dancing is done on one leg—one leg to the other’ so even though a dancer may look as if they are in a static position they (at least the ones who dance with fluidity) are actually in the process of transferring their weight. If ‘not understanding this principle in the head, it can’t happen in the body,’ Finis Jhung continues. Full understanding needs to be (excuse this overworked word) mindful. To have heard something many times over, to know what it means and even to have made some improvement is not the same thing as having these principles come to life in one’s own body.
“The stretching in Ballet Barre Stretch & Strength is not bouncing or yanking but a means by which the body both stretches and strengthens, both at the same time. Take this DVD to heart, stretch & strengthen, and enjoy becoming a better dancer.”
— Marie Paquet-Nesson
“I’m just so incredibly thankful to have found you and only wish that I had found you 20 years ago when I was dancing! My turns are better now at 44 than ever and I’ve been dancing since I was one and a half years old. I completely owe that to you! I thought I was just a petite allegro kind of girl who couldn’t turn, but you’ve changed all of that. My turns still can’t keep up with my fast feet (which aren’t nearly as fast as they used to be), but at least I’m no longer terrified when I need to turn! You are such a blessing to me and have helped make sense of many dance steps. I’m also thankful for the refresher with ballet terminology, as I took a very long break from ballet due to a career-ending injury. It was difficult to remember all of the terminology after so long a break. Your DVDs and Guidebook have been so helpful in bringing it all back. I am a dance teacher, a personal trainer, and a Master Balletone Instructor. I’m always grateful for how you blend exercise, science and ballet. There is a method to the madness and you have found it! The world is a better place because of your incredible mind, kind heart, and love for ballet. I hope to be able to make it up to NY one day to meet you and take one of your classes!”
— Christy Cole,
Creation Arts & Athletics, Charlotte, NC
“I want people to know how wonderfully you teach, and I think what you teach will be really helpful in learning and loving ballet. I’ve taken it for a long time as an adult, and I love taking class, how class proceeds, how the discipline manifests in class, the attention to the teacher, the student that demonstrates, working both sides, the beauty of the dance, the music, and so on. I do like how you have us start on the angles, because I have trouble with that, getting completely lost. I think this will help. Also, I never wanted to advance to the next level in class, because I felt something was missing, something in my fundamentals. I could do the pliés, tendus, dégagés, and the other movements, but I wasn’t sure if I was holding my body correctly, and after taking your classes I understand better what I need to work towards, and for that I really appreciate these DVDs. I feel like I’m there by how you conduct the class, and I really appreciate how you teach. It’s so welcoming and informative. You are truly a gifted teacher. Thank you!”
—Debbie, Anaheim, CA
“I want to thank you with all my heart for sharing your gift with all of us. I have loved ballet my whole life. Although my family did their best, they could not afford to send me to lessons for long. I was a cadet at West Point between 1999 and 2002. I used to run 2 miles each way to dance with six year-olds. I wish I would have known you were only a train ride away. I have a very fragmented dance education, and you have helped me put those pieces together. This renewed dancing life has also very unexpectedly allowed me to heal some emotional wounds I suffered during my military times. I am so grateful. I live in a rural area and have opened a small dance studio with the hopes of hiring a teacher for my kids and their friends. I decided I would refresh and start teaching until I could find one. I’m still teaching confidently and happily because of your clear direction. I hope to attend your workshop next year.”
—Josie Posir
“I’ve only had a chance to repeat the first few exercises so far, and his approach is already revolutionizing my functional balance from the feet and toes through the core muscles. That is no exaggeration. Long-time issues are being functionally addressed, and under-active muscles are getting into the game as they should have been all along.”
— Mariposa on Amazon.com
“This is the perfect DVD for all of us who like to practice at home. It teaches you how to use proper turnout and how to plié with strength and purpose. There are exercises that challenge your balance and really make you work your feet properly. I feel good doing these exercises!”
— Sooji Pak, New York, NY
“I want to thank you for making this kind of class so accessible. It is challenging yet enjoyable, with plenty to think about. At the end, I felt well prepared for more dancing. I actually think it is a good barre for a character class for seniors, and goes well with the Basic Ballet Movement Skills.”
— Judith Chestnut, NSW, Australia