<P>Finis Jhung is a ballet teacher who seems to have a fine reputation, who is actively visible online with advice and products for sale. (his NYC class schedule is here at this site also.)<P>here is his site, where you are bound to find something of interest -<BR> <A HREF="http://www.finisjhung.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.finisjhung.com/</A> <P>there are lots of videos for sale, but not all of the site is commercial.<P>here are some tips on barre work -<BR> <A HREF="http://www.dancepages.com/jhung1.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.dancepages.com/jhung1.htm</A> <P>

Good site, Grace. There is a page on the isometric plie. I have been teaching this using the pilates reformer for a while. I break it down even further with the help of the equipment. It's interesting to see the gestalt when the dancer finds out what a real plie is! Once upon a time I had to learn it myself!

Maggie - I am not sure if you read this thread - it was titled "Questions - Questions" in which Grace and I have a discussion on plies. It begins with my October 9th post and continues down through<BR>several of our posts. If you didn't see it I thought you might find it of interest.<P><BR><A HREF="http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000161.html" TARGET=_blank>QUESTIONS - QUESTIONS</A><BR>

From living in New York, I'ver heard that Finis has a real following amongst dancers. People just love him...his classes are quite rigorous...2 hrs. long minimum...he repeats exercises many times. I'd be interested to see about this isometric plie stuff?

yes, maggie - i am another who can confess to doing pliés for many many many years (decades!) without understanding how usefully they COULD be done....i think really not many dancers at all, do USE their pliés to full advantage - isn't it strange, when you think that it is one of the very first most basic movements taught - if not THE first?

Just a bit of info. Finis's classes in NYC are packed. Some times 40 dancers + in class.<BR>I never studied with him as I stuck to "homier studios" where the student to teacher ratio was much smaller, at least for ballet where i felt i needed more attention. He is also an example of what great marketing can accomplish

*<p>[This message has been edited by j (edited December 31, 2000).]

Are you blowing kisses to us now, j?<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>*<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>...an example of what great marketing can accomplish <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>yes, i got that impression..in his case, at least there does seem to be substance to back up the image, from what i hear...<p>[This message has been edited by grace (edited December 31, 2000).]

yes, happy new ! actually my post came up twice and that was my creative deletion!

It's a good site isn't it? I read the stuff on isometric plie and it makes sense. Has anyone seen any of his videotape 'do along' classes? Living in Oz, getting to a class isn't possible (and such a big class wouldn't be likely to suit me anyway). What do people think of using one of his videos to supplement regular classes? By the way, if I was to do that I'd use a mirror to keep an eye out for things that feel ok but look wrong! I would have to be convinced that it was a good idea and that I would get a lot of use out of a tape because with international postage and the exchange rate it would be a pricey video!<P>Danni

i'v seen posts on danceart.com praising his video instruction tapes. maybe you could inquire there on the Ballet Board.

danni - i did see someone at another board wanting to on-sell one of these videos, because they had got the 'wrong' one as a christmas gift! i have suggested that person might offer it here, but i WAS amazed at the cost - apparently even US$45 represents a $20 saving, if that post is to be believed...that's a huge cost for a video (about Aust $ 150)....maybe they weren't talking US $ when they posted...

Yup - I fear they were! They're $60US for the format (PAL) we Aussies can use. That's why I'd have to hear RAVE reviews. I saw that post too - but it was for a class just on turning or something and I want a general one. Probably wasn't in the right format either.<BR>Danni