Holistic Ballet

Like the ballet retreat in Berlin, the Dying Swan workshop was a truly rewarding experience for me. While Franziska focuses primarily on correct posture and using the right muscles during her barre classes - which gives me an ever-deeper understanding of my own body - she encourages her students to go beyond the purely technical side when studying the choreography. I've just realized what I probably like best about Franziska's classes: that for the first time since I started Ballet, I truly feel like a dancer, rather than a clumsy adult struggling with the inadequacies of my own body.

The workshop in the dying swan was thorough and mesmerising; as always Franziska went into the details not only of the technique but also of the emotions expressed in this beautiful solo! It has been my dream for a long time to learn some of the choreography and this workshop completely fulfilled this wish!

I had the pleasure of attending the Ballet Retreat 2025 edition, and it was a truly wonderful experience - even despite my beginner-level ballet skills :-). The teacher, Franziska, was exceptionally caring and dedicated, giving her full energy and attention to every participant. You could feel that she genuinely wanted each of us to grow and improve. I also sometimes join the online classes with Holistic Ballet, as well as the specialised classes, and they are always excellent. The quality of teaching is consistently high, and the exercises are both motivating and effective. I believe that every class leaves participants feeling stronger and motivated to keep progressing. Whether in person or online, the dedication and professionalism are outstanding. .

Just back from the wonderful experience that was Franziska's Ballet Retreat in Berlin learning Paquita, I am still humming the tunes in my head. As a late starter to ballet I find learning new steps, the coordination of limbs and head andything but easy, let alone mustering the confidence at hitting the right posture. But the way she explains everything is very clear, patient and friendly. All training and rehearsals are carefully pre-planned with one step building on another logically, including very useful exercises that help with the correct execution of steps. I am already looking forward to next year's workshop. Thank you, Franziska!

I attended Franziska's ballet retreat in Berlin this year, and I can't express enough what an amazing experience it was to have 5 days of intensive and wonderful ballet training with Franziska. She guided us through a tough week of barre and centre work, and building up to the Paquita divertissement and a small performance the last day. Franziska is a wonderful teacher with a great sense of what people need in her class, both pushing when needed and very encouraging when the confidence is failing (which sometimes happen). I left the ballet retreat feeling happy, energised, and inspired to keep learning more and definitely come back for another retreat. I can warmly and highly recommend Franziska's classes, in the studio or online!

With roughly two years of regular ballet classes, I attended Franziska's 5-day Berlin Retreat and would recommend it to fellow dancers who are looking for something more challenging than absolute-beginner-level classes. The workshop gave me an abundant amount of opportunities to practice single movements that I have been learning in classes and to try them out in longer sequences. The choice of variations was beautiful, and I had numerous opportunities to go over them. Franziska is a teacher who pays great attention to detail while also being observant and providing suggestions according to my level. The fellow dancers were supportive, and towards the end of the workshop, I felt a sense of comradeship with those who had been dancing next to me. I am looking forward to next summer and would highly recommend this experience to people who aim to grow and enjoy ballet!

I joined the online Beginner Solo Workshop. A week before the workshop Franziska sent a pre-study video which was very helpful for me so during the workshop I could focus on special aspects like balance or expression rather than starting to learn the choreography. I took part in different formats with Holistic Ballet before and always enjoyed it. The classes are always well organized and prepared, she explains ballet technique very good and answers all questions. Thank you Franziska for this workshop. I hope there will be another Beginner Solo Workshop next year!

Excellent workshop. I found the pacing just right starting off with usual barre and then working towards technique and steps for the Paquita Vestalka solo. There was a lot to get through but I didn't feel rushed or over-encumbered with technique. I was encouraged to choose options depending on my experience and confidence. Time was given to consider artistry and taking on a role while dancing - walking on to start, expression and ending with bows. Through the workshop Franziska took and answered questions; I felt I was being held and guided to allow me to experience as much as I could. Without knowing it, I found I worked really hard (dance tends to do that)! A very useful confidence booster and a lot of fun. Could have done with more Herbert (the cat) but I know he will have something to say in other Zoom events.

An amazing experience. First time on one of these retreats - the group was so friendly and welcoming, I immediately felt at ease and excited to be with them. I loved all the barre work, it felt so grounding and all-encompassing before we started work on the Juliet variation. Franziska's teaching and guidance was magnificent with helpful step breakdown, repetition and then artistry. I also found her corrections very useful. The chance to see Paris was the absolute icing on the cake of this fantastic ballet retreat experience. Thoroughly recommend.

We learnt the juliett variation solo to the best of our abilities because Franziska broke it into helpful segments and gave constant feedback. We had enough time to repeat technique as well as focus on artistry. Will attend more workshops to learn variarions.

Thanks a lot Franziska for such lovely time in Berlin. I have learnt a lot and had so much fun. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you Franziska for the wonderful ballet retreat in Berlin. The 5-day ballet intensive with the beautiful music was an amazing memory. I would highly recommend this retreat and am looking forward to the next workshop already, and of course going back to Berlin next year.

The Holistic Ballet downloads are excellent - working standalone or to use in conjunction with studio classes. Every move is beautifully taught - Franziska demonstrates in a distraction free space and explains in clear language without either 'talking down' or over complicating. The filming is equally uncluttered and the musical accompaniment perfect.

As someone who starts ballet completely from zero as an adult who is in her thirties, I recommend Franziska sincerely. She gives clear, detailed explanations of the foundations which sets me up for slow but steady progresses. Her studio class is thoughtfully planned that as a beginner, I get to practise single movements so that I don’t get too overwhelmed and on the other hand, I get to see how these single movements could lead to more complicated combinations that I might achieve in the future. Her online classes are clearly structured and every time I feel I pick something up new which not only contributes to my future ballet practice but also to my daily posture and other sports I enjoy in life. Thank you Franziska!

After an heart attack I was searching for a long time some videos that enable me to return to the ballet training at home in my own speed. Finally I found Franziskas DVDs and they are not good, but perfect! Thanks a lot for this great work and opportunity Franziska. Also for your and your dads effort to minimise transportation cost for me. And for the possibility to ask questions. Sonja from Munich.

I have danced other kinds of dance for over 10 yrs but just have been dancing ballet for almost 1 yrs. As I wanted to improve my dance skill, I searched in YouTube and discovered Holistic ballet. Just finished the absolute beginner course, I feel very appreciated for Franziska's detailed and clear explanation about what is the actual force direction in movement and which muscles are engaged, It helps me a lot to improve my dance posture and figure out why some movements I made are not professional. It is not just for ballet, even for other dances. Besides, she cares about if your posture is correct as otherwise you would hurt your joints and knee etc. I highly recommend Franziska as your dance teacher. .

Fab quality of content xx.

I found Franziska on YouTube in search for ballet tutorials. She is wonderful. She is a wealth of information. She has an anatomical approach in her teaching style, which helps the student understand proper alignment. She also has very well thought out curriculums for her classes. Her progressions start as soon as you're at the barre, focusing on building strong muscle memory pathways in preparation for the floor sequence. On top of her efficiency in structuring her classes, she is kind and encouraging in her communication and instruction. Herbert the kitty is added bonus!

What Franziska doesn’t know about ballet is not worth knowing. She is such an amazing teacher whose knowledge is so extensive and is conveyed in the most engaging way. Her classes are welcoming and inclusive. There is a place for everyone no matter what ballet experience you do or don’t have. Franziska is incredible and I look forward to many more lessons and workshops to come.

Brilliant Paquita / etoile workshop by Franziska, well structured sessions and great fun!