The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique All Levels: Stretch, Turnout, & Extension

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:- I have an old injury in my right ankle, due to which I have not been able to sit cross-legged in meditation for longer than 15 min, because of pain; after starting this program, I can sit for 30 min without a problem: there is much less pressure on the ankle, because my hips are that much more open.- I am a doctoral student, and I have to stay at my desk long hours, writing; so I pretty much have resigned myself to a low grade chronic back pain: this pain disappeared after about 1.5 week since I started daily stretching!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 re 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.

I now have about 15 Finis Jhung DVDs since the start of the pandemic. It's easier that Zoom classes because I can repeat a section. The ones with this orange bar on the covers are his earlier DVDs . I believe there are 8-10..? They cover fundamentals very, very well, and are different from the later ones in that there is no "workout only" mode, which I think is valuable as Mr. Jhung packs so much into an explanation. The earliest I have is 2003 (The Finis Jhung Technique Level 2, Centerwork for Advanced Beginners). This one was produced in 2008. Here, at age 71, Mr. Jhung demonstrates the movements so well that the young dancer is a little superfluous, though obviously more feminine. I can't see any issues he describes in his blog relating to his later "long delayed" full hip replacement. He's an admirable model of a life of discipline and self care, as well as the gifts of ballet for older adults -- in particular for maintaining kinaesthetic awareness of balance, spine and posture. I doubt he's ever had to worry about falling. This particular DVD is one for my recovery days as it is slower paced sequences. Highly recommend all of Mr.Jhung's DVDs. You will never get tired of them.

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.

I had been interested in Mr.Jhung's videos for quite some time and I'm very happy I finally caved to check this one out. The instruction Mr.Jhung gives is very clear and he has a cute sense of humor that comes out from time to time. The ballerina, Ms.Boylston, demonstrates the excercises beautifully and is very inspirational. I have been practicing the floor excercises religiously since I purchased the video about a month ago and I can feel the difference in my body. The barre excercises are very strengthening and I love the way Mr.Jhung recommends practicing them infront of a mirror to check for proper placement. I liked the DVD so much I have already purchased 2 more, one for pointe work and one on pirouettes. I feel this information would be valuable to dancers and teachers alike. Highly recommended!

I never heard of Finnis Jhung before-I'm glad I read about him in these reviews-I love the way the excercises 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 82yrs old---some people think I'm nuts and just trying to be '''young''-----For their information I do it to strenghthen 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 doig this.