5 mood-boosting barre moves to do at home for beginners

During January, the pressure to create new fitness goals can feel overwhelming at the best of times. We're all attuned to the ideals that fitness fads are guaranteed to provoke disappointment but we can't deny the mood-boosting effects of a quick move around. That's why we've called on the brilliant barre instructor, Nathalie Errandonea-Mewes, former ballerina and founder of NRG barrebody, to give us 5 moves for beginners that won't give us that pre-workout dread.

Inspired by the lengthening and strengthening exercises ballerina's do in their training, Ballet Barre fitness was created by Lotte Berk, a German Dancer in the ’40s. Wonderful for your posture and productivity, this may be a workout that you actually return to.

###### **Move 1- Plies & Relevés in First Position**

* Start in ballet first position, heels touching with your hips and feet turned out * Plié (bend your knees) and make sure that your knees stay above your second/third toe, keep your back straight, tummy pulled in and your shoulders relaxed * Your arms are in first position ballet, forming a round shape in front of you as if you were holding a beach ball * Go into a relevé, stretching your legs and raising your heels from that plié position and repeat. Bring your arms in fifth ballet position ( round shape above your head) at the same time * Repeat x30 times

###### **Move 2 - Plié & Heels raise in Second Position**

* Start in ballet second position, legs apart about a metre long and in turn out position, make sure that your knees stay above your second/third toe, keep your back straight, tummy pulled in and your shoulders relaxed * Plié (bend your knees) and hold the position * Raise your right heel up and your right arm above your head, then alternate side * Repeat x30 times and make sure you stay in your plié position to challenge your quadriceps (front of your thighs)

###### **Move 3 - Attitude turn out**

* Bring your feet in turnout position. Bend your left leg slightly keeping your foot flat. Bend your right leg with toes pointed down and in front of you ready to be lifted * Your arms should be in first position ballet, round shape in front of you * Make sure you lengthen your spine and pull your tummy in * Lift your right leg up into an attitude, lift your left arm up above your head in a nice round shape and hold for a second * Then lower the leg, tapping your toes gently on the floor * Repeat this move 30 x times on each side

###### **Move 4 - Side Leg Abduction**

* Bend your left leg, making sure your tummy is pulled in, your shoulders are low and your hands are on your hips * Lift your right leg to the side with your knee bent and toes pointed * Holding the knee as high as you are comfortable, and where you can hold your balance * Stretch the leg out slowly, then bend the knee again * Repeat x 30 times each side **NB:** Use a chair if you can't find your balance

###### **Move 5 - Glutes press**

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