Barre au Sol in Paris: Falling in Love with Ballet Again

Have you ever heard of barre au sol? Also known as barre à terre — in english, floor barre — it’s a ballet-inspired fitness technique that takes place entirely on the floor. Think of it as a blend of strength, flexibility, and grace — all while lying down or seated.

What is Barre au Sol?

Despite its name, there’s no actual barre involved. The term comes from the traditional ballet barre exercises, but here, everything is done on the floor. It’s rooted in classical ballet but has evolved to include influences from modern and contemporary dance. And the practice focuses on core strength, stretching, muscle toning, and posture — all while being gentle on your joints since it's floor based.

The story behind it is fascinating: Boris Kniasseff was a ballet master who, when forbidden to install barres in his studio, decided to adapt the exercises to the floor, developing what we know now as "Barre au Sol". Genius, right?

Barre au Sol in Paris

I fell in love with this method when I took classes in the Centre de Danse du Marais — in Paris and I’ve been using the basics of barre au sol to complement my dance practice.

The class begins with gentle stretches to warm up, accompanied by soothing classical music. We move through a series of exercises — ronds de jambe, leg lifts, and stretches—all while lying on our backs, seated, or on our sides. The movements are slow and controlled, but don’t let that fool you: your muscles will be burning by the end of the class.

One thing I love about it is how accessible it is. The classes are multi-level, with some students clearly more experienced than others, but everyone can work at their own pace.

The Benefits

Even after just one session, you can feel the effects. Muscles feel more elongated and toned, and posture — already a focus in ballet — more aligned. What surprises me most is how gentle it is on my body. As someone who struggles with knee arthritis, I appreciate that barre au sol allows me to work deeply without strain.

The fact that it's completely floor based, the practice is safe for everyone to try because it deeply minimizes the risk of injuries.

Why I Keep Practicing

What drew me to barre au sol initially was its connection to ballet. You can find multiple classes of floor barre all around the world, but this method is very consistent, effective and easy on the body.

And if you're a ballet enthusiast that admires the strength and grace of dancers, this practice feels like a way to tap into that and you don’t even have to be a dancer to enjoy it. Whether you’re looking to improve flexibility, build strength, or simply try something new, barre au sol is for everyone.

Plus, there’s something incredibly meditative about it. The combination of fluid movements and beautiful music creates a sense of calm that stays with you long after the class ends.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re curious about trying barre au sol, here’s my advice:

• Wear something comfortable: think leggings, a fitted top, and socks or ballet slippers.

• Don’t worry about experience: the classes are designed for all levels.

• Be patient with yourself: the movements may look simple, but they require control and precision.

  
  

Final Thoughts

It’s a practice that combines the artistry of dance with the discipline of fitness, and whether you’re a dancer like me, a fitness enthusiast, or just someone looking to try something new, I highly recommend giving it a go.

Have you tried barre au sol? Or is there another practice that makes you feel strong, graceful, and alive? Let me know — I’d love to hear your stories!