Foot Stretch & Strengthen Routine

Yelena, at Ballet for All offers an excellent 10-minute stretch-and-strengthen routine that’s perfect for warming up and building strength in your feet. The exercises are designed to improve mobility safely, without risking injury, and are ideal for beginners, adult ballet dancers, or anyone looking to develop stronger, more flexible feet for ballet or everyday movement.

Her routine uses simple tools -- a tennis ball, an elastic therapy band, and a barre (or anything sturdy for balance) -- to help you warm up your feet, stretch safely without overstretching, improve articulation and point, and build strength for balance, tendus, and relevés. With consistent practice, these exercises promote increased flexibility using correct technique.

One additional tip: add a set of four solid demi-pliés, between your calf-raise sets, to gently stretch and relax your Achilles tendon and calf muscles.