FOREST HILLS — The Central Queens Y is offering a new class this season — a ballet-based workout set to Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and other classical tunes, the organizers said.
Ballet Fitness Fusion, a new weekly class, works at lengthening the spine and legs by mixing ballet moves with traditional exercises like squats and leg lifts.
The music changes too, from classical pieces by Chopin to more contemporary songs.
"This approach strengthens, tones, and beautifully shapes the lower body while creating a long and elegant dancer's back," the center said in a statement.
For a portion of the class, participants will spend some time on the ballet barre and then move across the floor practicing various ballet combinations. Another part will focus mostly on shaping the lower body, Budnetz said.
“People are really getting a taste of both worlds and they are getting the benefit of both worlds,” said Robin Budnetz, the class instructor.
The class includes adults of all ages and levels of experience, Budnetz said.
“There are people who have taken ballet as children and they got a very good feeling from that,” she said.
“They are not working towards becoming professional dancers, but they want to recreate that good feeling and that sense of musicality that comes from a class like that.”
Ballet Fitness Fusion takes place on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Classes are free for members; the general public can purchase a 10-class card for $150. For more information call Robin Budnetz at (718) 268 5011 ext. 504 or email rbudnetz@cqy.org. The Central Queens Y is located at 67-09 108th St. in Forest Hills.
