Description
Finis Jhung has created 17 exercises especially designed to show you how to stretch safely and correctly so that you will strengthen and improve your turn-out and extension. Finis shows and explains each exercise step-by-step, and then it is demonstrated by Isabella Boylston, principal dancer of The American Ballet Theater. The floor exercises are done both sitting up as well as lying down, which allows you to stretch without stress or strain on your muscles and joints. Each barre exercise includes detailed instructions and demonstrations on how to bring your floor stretches to a standing position while displaying your maximum turn-out and extension with balance and control. Teaching in New York City since 1972, Finis Jhung has enabled thousands of dancers to become their personal best. As you will see, the secrets to success can be yours. 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! GREAT FOR KICKING LEG STRENGTH. I’m a martial artist, not a dancer, but this DVD has helped improve the height and strength of my kicks. Very happy!”
— Amazon Customer AugustLights. March 13, 2019
“FIVE STARS! I LIKE THE WORKOUT & NEW SKILLS. This DVD is excellent for beginners and advanced. I like the workouts and new skills.”
— Amazon Customer Curly Q Link. July 3, 2018
“FIVE STARS! BALLET LADY LOVES TO DANCE. I never heard of Finis Jhung before — I’m glad I read about him in these reviews — I love the way the exercises were explained and that they were slow enough to see how they are done, I even was informed about the correct way to pull up from the plie/ spelling probably not right. You do it with the inner thigh muscles, not from the lower part of the legs. Any how I am learning beginners level, I’m 82 years old — some people think I’m nuts and just trying to be ”’young’—For their information I do it to strengthen my knee muscles and make my legs and body strong — plus I like it and don’t care what anyone thinks about it because of my age. I love this teacher’s methods and I’m going to get beginners Barre training next. I bought a ballet barre and I love doing this.”
—Patti Rae. February 27, 2014.
“FIVE STARS! GREAT STRETCHES. I love this DVD especially when I miss my classes. Finis is so clear with his instructions. You learn so much and you can see the difference in your performance. It is a great source for dancers.”
— Shirley Hardie. June 23, 2014.
“FIVE STARS! WOW! THE HOLY GRAIL OF TURNOUT/EXTENSION DEVELOPMENT! Wow, what a workout. No matter what your ability, you can challenge it with this DVD. None of the stretches or exercises are totally unique or anything, but they’re the good ones that build strength and flexibility and stability all at once. Handily presented in a format that counts for you, you’ll never skimp your flexibility work again. I trust Finis Jhung above all other teachers when it comes to doing things right the first time. Learning to keep your weight and alignment as you move and turn out…such a difficult process! So rarely dwelt on in ordinary classes! Finis Jhung is definitely the cure for all those bad habits you learned by looking at your peers at the barre. No dancer should neglect this DVD. It’s like a concentrated barre session, minus the majority of technique practice and focusing solely on those movements that build strong turnout and extension. Ouch, but in a good way.”
— Rachel. March 3, 2011.
“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
“FIVE STARS! Wonderful Instructor, Great Exercises
“There are some truly wonderful exercises here. I especially like the floor stretches. My nine-year-old dancer struggles to maintain proper body alignment when attempting standing developpes, and there were several floor exercises included on this disc that have helped immensely by allowing her to isolate and stretch the appropriate muscles while maintaining proper alignment. Great instruction. Thank you!”
—Jenny Jon
“FIVE STARS! GREAT INSTRUCTION. Wonderful video. Clear explanations of what is being done and why. Now I just have to work these movements into my weekly routines. Finis Jhung is a terrific teacher and Isabella Boylston is a superb model for these exercises.”
—Steve
“Finis Jhung is a master at explaining the art of movement, and the stretches in this DVD are divine. If you are looking to develop your ballet technique, this video is a must.”
— Amazon Customer
“I wanted to just take the time and THANK YOU tremendously. I bought 3 different DVDs [FJBT Videos: Level 1 Barrework, Level 2 Centerwork, Stretch, Turnout & Extension] for my six-year-old daughter who absolutely loves ballet and dance. She currently dances competitively and I have to tell you in the weeks preceding her big dance competition I had her do your DVDs daily and she did amazingly. Her technique was critiqued as: ‘wow, such a graceful 6yr old and how wonderful that at six you understand some of the moves.’ Although she has ballet classes five days a week, I feel your videos are very simple to understand yet very educational on showing the importance of each step, count, the dos-and-don’ts, and the fact that my six-year-old can EASILY follow along with you is beyond amazing.”
— Valerie, Las Vegas, NV
“IT REALLY WORKS! – even for the stiff-hipped and tight-muscled adult beginner!”
“This is my second DVD from Finis Jhung. The first DVD was Ballet Barre for the Adult Absolute Beginner, and I have had such good results from it that my regular ballet teacher started to demand much more from me in class (including “more turn-out”). I read that turn-out cannot be forced (only gently coaxed), so I turned to Finis’s collection of DVDs for guidance.
“ RESULTS: First of all, I don’t think you can expect quick results in turn-out and extension for an adult ballet beginner who has not stretched (especially not in those areas!) in years. Even now, after about a month of practice with this DVD, I cannot fully reach my leg over my head in Developpe or do a split, the way that Isabella Boylston and Finis himself do it. Having said that, there is far less tightness and more space in my joints and in my body overall, and I have noticed other small, but significant, changes.
“ Two specific examples from my daily living:
“ As far as the regular ballet classes go, I have not dazzled my teacher with a spectacular extension or turn-out or ceiling high grand battement yet, but when I do plie, rond de jambe or battement or developpe in class now, I have a much better form, because I know exactly what muscles I need to be working. Thus, even though I cannot yet claim a true ballerina’s stretch, turn-out and extension, I see these remarkable improvements as genuine signs that this DVD is very effective in achieving what it claims to offer.
“As before, I remain deeply grateful for the clarity, thoroughness, and pure joy of Finis Jhung’s instruction.”
— Amazon Customer
“My hips hurt every day for ten years. I did this stretch class once and it totally released my hip flexor. The pain disappeared!”
— Holly Derville-Teer, Chehalem Valley Dance Academy, Beaverton, OR
“I have been teaching for the past 25 years, and I find your DVDs a breath of fresh air and proof you should never stop learning! I wish every instructor/choreographer would take advantage of the wisdom you pass on in your DVD’s. You are truly a teachers Teacher.”
— Debbie Berry, Dance Repertoire, West Allis, WI
“Two of my pre-pointe class won 1st place in the MOVE Dance Competition in Denver Colorado. They have had only 2 years of ballet! We are from a very small town in Wyoming and have only had a dance studio for 3 years. This was such an incredible experience, not only for my students but for myself and our dance academy. So I have to thank you once again for the fabulous instructional DVD’s. We could not have accomplished this unbelievable moment without having your wisdom. Thank you for sharing your gift of dance with us.”
— Lori Bickford, Ballet Instructor, Meadowlark Academy of Dance, Newcastle, WY
“The Finis Jhung Technique has completely altered how I participate in dance movement. I am eager to retrace previous steps and learn what has been missing during all the years I have been involved with dance. So, the best move is to go back to the beginning and enjoy the journey from there.”
— Judith Chestnut, Erina, Australia
“Been working with your DVDs for the past two weeks and it has changed me. I have been more focused and aware during my ballet classes and in everyday life. I love how you explain and teach the movements in sequences and it has slowed me down to think before I dance the move. Even my pointe work is getting better. Keep making the ballet world bigger and better!”
— Stasha Becker, US Army Europe