Classical barre au sol (Classical floor barre) is a thorough mind and body conditioning based on the principles of Traditional classical ballet. Its focus is on maintaining proper placement, strengthening the feet, ankles, legs, back and core muscles while working on flexibility, alignment and hip rotations. Cati' s class also focuses on the constant awareness of breath and energy, which helps the dancers to achieve detail work and prevent injuries. Her 30 years of teaching worldwide makes her an expert with a keen eye, generous heart and fun spirit. Her classes are technical, artistic and profound.
Cati has studied Barre au sol growing up in the South of France and took daily classes in Paris with her mentor, Jacqueline Fynneart, Barre au sol professor at The Paris Opera with the Boris Knyazev method. She taught many Etoiles such as Zizi Jeanmaire, Marie Claude Pietragalla, Manuel Legris and many other European and Canadian Grands Danseurs... Jacqueline learned from Boris Knyazev himself and was THE master teacher to take from. Cati has had the grand honor to take her classes in the "Paris Centre studios" alongside Zizi Jeanmaire.
She teaches Live through Zoom and In Studio. All her Online classes are recorded so students can take them on demand working around their own schedule. Email Cati at : [email protected] to get her classes info and links.
You can also check her IGTV classes on her Instagram page at @catijean16
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Reviews:
I met Cati on Instagram and she was the most amazing discovery I could have this year. As a lover of Barre au Sol I studied many years in Paris but have never seen a class so fluid and potentially strong in exercises. Cati is sweet and tender, a beautiful teacher that creates the best combinations.
I am from Brasil and I am lucky to have found this beautiful woman. And as she teaches me I just relax at the same time I profoundly work my muscles, my turn out and improve my technique with the highest level teacher!
Marina Droghetti (Professional dancer, Barre au sol teacher- Brazil)
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"Cati’s floor barre is the perfect class for conditioning and strengthening long lean muscles. Working on the floor keeps you safe - and honest, you’ll discover muscles you never knew you had! I always feel so released afterwards, and I love taking ballet class straight away - I get more out of my training. Highly recommended for all abilities!"
Ashleigh Wilson-Clarke ( Professional dancer - South Africa)
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Cati's barre au sol classes are both a true delight and a fantastic challenge. Cati is one of those vanishingly rare teachers who infuses all of her instruction with a spirit of generosity and joyful artistry: learning from her is invariably a pleasure. At the same time, she knows how to inspire and motivate her students to work better and harder, all while remaining attuned to and respectful of the needs of their own bodies at any given moment. Her floor barre class has allowed me to refine my turn-out and the precision of my movements-- thereby improving my dancing-- but has also provided a space for me to be in the moment and in my body without fear, anxiety, or worry about the future-- to grow through her instruction and through her technique. This would be a gift at any time, but is a real blessing-- a word I do not use lightly-- during our global pandemic.
Natania Meeker (Associate Professor of French and Comparative Literature at USC, Writer, Ballet Dancer - Los Angeles)
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"Floor Barre Ballet training is not only an essential component for developing ballet technique but it is also extremely important for rehabilitation after injury. Taking the element of gravity out of the equation and adding the enforced alignment of the floor allows the dancer to neuro muscularly break down and train elements of technique and form that no other format can match. As a warm up to a full ballet class, Floor Barre is the ultimate, as a stand alone workout, Floor Barre is as thoroughly exhausting and comprehensive as any mat class. As a challenge for range of motion, flexibility, and mobility Floor Barre is a great addition to any athlete’s rehab and prehab practice. Most of all, learning to move your body with grace and strength without having to worry about falling down as you try something new, and under the careful supervision of a trained ballet dancer ... well it will floor you. Yep....I said it. Because it’s true. Only one class will prove it. Get on the floor and dance!"
Shana Blake Hill ( Opera singer, Ballet Dancer, Medical massage therapist - Los Angeles)
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"Cati's Classical Barre au sol is a class every dancer should take. Regardless of their level of experience. It does wonders to the body, mind and spirit. The constant contact with the floor while executing the exercises helps one to increase the awarness of the alignment of the spine and full body and at the same time it's soothing for the mind and spirit. It is precise, wise and mindful.
I've been taking the class regulary twice a week for one year and I can feel its short and long term benefits. My Ballet turn out is improving, I am getting much more stronger on my feet, legs, back and core, and my awarness of the movements and my breathing while dancing has increased a lot. And, On a daily basis, after each class I feel uplifted, happy and very warm up and ready for the day. And if I have a ballet class afterwars, Floor Barre is the perfect class to warm you up.
Barre au sol should be a must in every morning routine of a dancer, amateur or professional. It feels so good! And the benefits are multiple!! Cati is so knowledgeble, fun and caring that makes everyone feel unique and its best. Cati also has the strength of being able to costumise the class to meet the needs of the dancer, specially to prevent or recover from injuries."
Marta Moix-Blanch (Ballet dancer - Spain)
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"I love how barre au sol allows my body to explore greater mobility while staying perfectly aligned. The floor, along with Cati's precise cues, ensures that I really feel the movements and that my sleepier muscles pull their weight. Best of all, my entire body feels so juicy and yummy for the rest of the day—almost like a massage!"
Haley Boone (Ballet dancer - Los Angeles)
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"Taking class with Cati is such a gift. She is such a beautiful dancer, an even more graceful teacher, and all of her classes are infused through and through with her kind, warm and thoughtful presence. There is nothing to compare Cati’s barre au sol class to; there’s a real sense of community and her inviting and positive demeanor erases any sense of distance that comes with taking an online exercise class (doesn’t hurt that her knowledge of the body and classical ballet technique is unparalleled).Her virtual classes have kept me feeling stretched, strong, and grounded and have been a LIFESAVER during this time. You leave a class with Cati energized, refreshed and just feeling SO GOOD. Floor barre is a perfect compliment to all types of movement, but it is A MUST for dancers. After just one class, I felt my turnout improved ten-fold, and I’ve only continued to gain more control and strength in my hips and legs. Cati’s barre au sol class will completely transform your body. And occasionally, you’ll even get a visit from one of her very cute kitties— who doesn’t love ballet class with cats?
Agathe Panaretos (Writer and Ballet dancer - Los Angeles)