- Introduction
- Paquita Pas De Trois Variation Part 113:00
- Paquita Pas De Trois Variation Part 213:00
- Nikiya Variation Part 116:00
- Nikiya Variation Part 213:00
- Kitri Wedding Variation Part 113:00
- Kitri Wedding Variation Part 213:00
- Paquita Variation 6 Part 111:00
- Paquita Variation 6 Part 213:00
Course outline
About this course.
In Part one of this variations course we will be tackling 4 beautiful variations.
Two variations from Paquita, Kitri’s Wedding variation and Nikiya’s Death Variation from La Bayadère. These variations can be used in competitions if that’s something you are preparing for.
They are also fabulous to learn from and add to your repertoire.
These variations are full of nuances, style, aplomb, character, artistic flair and of course technical challenges.
We have some wonderful students involved in this course to help bring these elements to life. You will learn from Isabella and see what she looks for when coaching a variation.
Have fun and enjoy learning these wonderful variations.
Course breakdown.
This Variation is one of my favourites. As a tall dancer myself I don’t think it’s one that would be given to me but it is absolutely perfect for the smaller dancer. It’s a hard variation stamina wise especially when you tie it in with the whole pas de trois and code. It’s basically all jumps! Along with jumps it includes lots of character, epaulément and style which are all things we will cover today! Grab you tutu and let’s begin!
Let’s Continue into Part 2 where we fine tune and polish off the variation leading into Ana’s performance of the solo with her beautiful tutu. Make sure you perform with her too and I hope you have enjoyed touching on this variation with me.
Nikiya’s Variation from La Bayadère is heart wrenchingly beautiful and soulful. Doing this variation justice requires maturity and soul! We will be touching on the first half of this variation as already there is so much to cover and it will give you a taste of Nikiya and the character behind it. We have to respond well with the music, hear where the emotion is and express in a way that shows that. Let’s begin this beautiful variation.
Let’s Continue refining this first part of the glorious variation. We will then see my student Hetty perform the variation and try to embody all the things we have worked on. Please perform along too!
This iconic variation is used round the world for competitions, gala performances and all over YouTube. It’s iconic as it has everything in it as well as huge personality! Jumps, Turns, extensions, speed, lot’s of épaulement. Grab your fan and let’s get started.
Let’s continue and dive into part 2 where we refine some technically demanding steps and bring Kitri to life with the performance. Get your fan ready!
This Variation is the final variation in part one of this course! There’s so much character, style and aplomb to it. You can’t shy away from really giving it lots of use of shoulders and head. My teacher used to say ” you need to dance with your nose in the air” meaning confident! In this variation we will bring lots of confidence and style. Let’s Begin.
Part 2! It’s time to refine and perform this wonderful variation with style and strength! Use your head, elbows and shoulders and let’s finish off the last bit of polishing and perform. This is the last part of this course. I hope you have thoroughly enjoyed yourself! Keep coming back to watch the lessons as you will get deeper into the solo each time. Enjoy!
Meet your teacher.
Isabella McGuire Mayes
Founder
Isabella trained at The Royal Ballet School and then became the first British girl to join the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Saint Petersburg at 15 where she studied for 4 years. She joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet in Russia as a soloist and later danced with Eifman Ballet.
What you’ll learn.
- Paquita pas de trois
- Kitri wedding solo
- Nikiyas death variation
- Paquita 6th variation
- Artistic nuance and style
- Professional insight from Isabella
- Technical tips for complex steps
- The details that most miss!
Who is this for?
- The intermediate dancer looking to learn repertoire
- The vocational student looking to extra insight into a variation
- Students preparing for Competition
- Dancers wanting to to get better at artistic nuance
- Dancers who want to learn what Isabella looks for in a variation.
Who is this not for?
- Not for the complete beginner
- Not for someone who doesn’t know all ballet terminology
- Not for someone looking for a workout
Pricing.
Each tier has something very special to offer. Let’s dive in and see which plan will suit your needs best taking your ballet to the next level!
Corps
Watch anytime and anywhere.
- Access to Online Studio Classes
- Live BWI Classes & Recordings
- Access to Online Studio Plans & Courses
- Direct communication with Isabella and the Principal team to discuss goals
- New personalised plan every 8 weeks
- Personalised video where the BWI team walks you through your plan
Soloist
Expect a greater understanding, detailed lessons and big progress.
- Access to Online Studio Classes
- Live BWI Classes & Recordings
- Access to Online Studio Plans & Courses
- Direct communication with Isabella and the Principal team to discuss goals
- New personalised plan every 8 weeks
- Personalised video where the BWI team walks you through your plan
Principal
Structured plans made just for you by Isabella along with direct communication with her.
Isabella will help you reach your desired goals. This gets results.
If no spots, contact us to be put on the waitlist.
- Access to Online Studio Classes
- Live BWI Classes & Recordings
- Access to Online Studio Plans & Courses
- Direct communication with Isabella and the Principal team to discuss goals
- New personalised plan every 8 weeks
- Personalised video where the BWI team walks you through your plan
Related courses.
Take a look at our related courses below.
5 minute
7 minutes
9 minutes
7 minutes
5 minute
7 minutes
9 minutes
7 minutes
Introduction
Floor Barre Drills
Theraband Drills
Turning Drills At The Barre
Centre Drills
Isabella’s Expert Tutorials
Your Practice Time! Let’s Tie All The Turns Together
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7 minutes
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4 minutes
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3 hours
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8 minutes
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7 minutes
4 minutes
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3 hours
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8 minutes
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7 minutes
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3 hours
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9 minutes
7 minutes
8 minutes
7 minutes
7 minutes
4 minutes
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3 hours
5 minute
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9 minutes
7 minutes
8 minutes
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7 minutes
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3 hours
Level 1: Foundation & Mobility (Weeks 1–3)
This level is about waking up the body and preparing it for deeper flexibility.
You’ll focus on:
Gentle mobility drills for hips, hamstrings, and hip flexors
Myofascial release techniques to reduce tension
Introductory stretches with proper alignment
Perfect for complete beginners or anyone returning to stretching after a break. The key here is consistency — showing up and giving your body time to adapt.
Level 2: Active flexibility & Control (Weeks 4-6)
Now that your body is primed, we begin working on active flexibility and control.
You’ll focus on:
Longer hold times in foundational stretches
Chair- and block-assisted drills for depth and support
Active engagement of glutes, core, and legs to create true flexibility. Strengthening supporting muscles around the hips and pelvis. Dynamic stretches to build range and coordination
This level bridges the gap between flexibility and functional mobility — helping you go deeper with control, not force.
Level 3: Find your full range (Weeks 7-9)
You’ve done the groundwork — now it’s time to commit to your full range.
You’ll focus on: Combining mobility, strength, and alignment in full split practice. Holding deeper splits with the aid of props (chair, blocks, wall)
Exploring full range in front and middle splits
Flow-style sessions to connect and challenge your flexibility
Learning your new go-to splits maintenance routine
This level is about owning your flexibility. Whether you’re fully flat or still a few inches away, you’ll come out of this with a strong, safe, and sustainable practice to carry forward.
Floor Barre Core
Turnout Stretch Class
Dancers Core
Advanced Ballet Pointe Course L1
Turnout and Beats Conditioning
Arabesque Workout Advanced
Floor Barre with The Magic Circle
Advanced Stretch
Ultimate Back Workout
Foot & Ankle Dancer Injury Prevention L2
Mat Madness Challenge Day 7 – Turnout and stretch
Strength for Développé
Floor Barre on the Wall
Side Extensions and Mobility
Dancers Core
Foot & Ankle Dancer Injury Prevention L3
Strong Hips and Glutes
Advanced Barre
Floor Barre Core
Advanced Back Flexibility Training
Turnout and Beats Conditioning
Advanced Ballet Pointe Course L1
Grand Allegro Course
Audition Class Barre
Floor Barre Core
Turnout Stretch Class
Dancers Core
Advanced Ballet Pointe Course L1
Turnout and Beats Conditioning
Arabesque Workout Advanced
Floor Barre with The Magic Circle
Advanced Stretch
Ultimate Back Workout
Foot & Ankle Dancer Injury Prevention L2
Mat Madness Challenge Day 7 – Turnout and stretch
Strength for Développé
Floor Barre on the Wall
Side Extensions and Mobility
Dancers Core
Foot & Ankle Dancer Injury Prevention L3
Strong Hips and Glutes
Advanced Barre
Floor Barre Core
Advanced Back Flexibility Training
Turnout and Beats Conditioning
Advanced Ballet Pointe Course L1
Grand Allegro Course
Audition Class Barre
Floor barre Int
Confidence Boosting Full Body Stretch
Slider Core Workout
Intrinsic Foot Workout
Turnout Course L1
How to Improve Attitude and Arabesque
Floor Barre 2.0
Positivity Stretch and Flow
Foot & Ankle Dancer Injury Prevention L1P2
The Psoas Course L1
Turnout Course L2
Balance & Penché Ballet Class
Mat Madness Full Body
Stretches for Side Développé
Strong Jumps Workout
The Psoas Course L2
Stronger Pointe Course L1
Ultimate Back Workout
Floor Barre with The Magic Circle
Full Body Stretch Class
Hip & Core Strength for Extensions
The Psoas Course L3
Petit Allegro Course
Int Barre Focused on Strength & Extensions
Floor Barre on the Wall
Hip mobility and stretch
Foot & Ankle Dancer Injury Prevention
Core & Arms
Spinal mobility
Floor Barre for Développé
Ball the Wall Turnout class
Amazing feet course
Core
Long Hamstrings
Floor Barre on the Wall
Beg. Stretch
Amazing Feet Course L2&L3
Balance Course
Turnout Stretches
Floor Barre 2.0
Hip Manifestation Stretch
Beginner Pointe Course L1
Perfecting Pirouettes en Dehors
Barre Challenge Day 7
Centre Basics
Using the head, style and balance
Adage & strength
Vaganova ports de bras and linking steps
Relevé in the centre and pirouette prep
Walking, Pas balancé & rythym
Linking steps
Jumps
Practice week
Build Strength of the feet, Barre drills establishing correct technique
Building Foot Strength, Barre drills and challenging Centre work with a focus on stamina and many repetitions.
Increased intensity of barre drills and intrinsic foot work.
Continuing from week three, we build the demanding drills
Legs Legs Legs
Strength for développé
Turnout that Booty
Lower Legs of Steel
Lunge and battement
Core Power
Barre HIIT
Stretch and Recover
Build Strength of the feet, Barre drills establishing correct technique
Building Foot Strength, Barre drills and challenging Centre work with a focus on stamina and many repetitions.
Increased intensity of Barre Drills, challenging centre work and intrinsic foot work.
Continuing from week three, we build the demanding drills, ending with the challenging Improver Centre with many repetitions.
Build Strength of the feet, Barre drills establishing correct technique
Building Foot Strength, Barre drills and challenging Centre work with a focus on stamina and many repetitions.
Increased intensity of Barre Drills, Centre work and intrinsic foot work.
Continuing from week three, we build the demanding drills, ending with the challenging Improver Centre with many repetitions.
Sign up and get started today.
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