Holistic Ballet

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!

I get more from Holistic Ballet classes than any other class. Franziska is patient and teaches technique so precisely, you progress quicker than you expect. I had a wish for flexibility, bought her Pilates DVD and though I can only partially complete exercise sets, I can already see results. Franziska is inspiring and intuitive. You leave her class believing you can dance :).

My first encounter with Franziska was in 2015 when I attended the "Moving in Space" workshop in London. I am so glad to have reconnected with Franziska in recent months, having attended a few classes and the amazing 2021 Easter Ballet Workshop via zoom all the way from Hong Kong. I love the sense of inclusiveness at Holistic Ballet.  There are people from different backgrounds/countries in classes and workshops, with technique ranging from beginners to advanced, all united in our love of ballet and a desire to improve.  There is no judgment or sense of competition. Franziska has an amazing crowd which makes the learning environment comfortable for everyone. The Easter ballet workshop was excellent, thoughtfully structured and effectively delivered. My initial concern was my zero experience in VARIATION and "PAQUITA SOLO" sounded rather professional…. I am so glad that I signed up. Learning my first variation was a challenging yet wonderful experience. With guidance from Franziska, I learned to appreciate, immerse in and connect with the music; to explore the space for creativity and expression through movements; to smile and be joyful thinking of the character, and so much more.  For once, it was no longer just the barre and center, but a third dimension, a whole new world to be explored…. Before I get carried away, reality check - my execution left much to be desired…. It will take me many months of regular practice to improve. Franziska has kindly sent us the workshop recordings to keep so that we can continue to practice and learn at our own pace.  Nevertheless, being able to do my first variation gave me a strong sense of achievement. The feel-good factor was partly attributable to the life-saving pinning feature in zoom that Franziska reminded us of. I was able to pin and follow along the more experienced dancers {wave to Yuka}, which in itself was a testament of the inclusive and supportive environment of the workshop. Thank you Franziska for making it happen. I love the workshop so much that I am already looking forward to the next one.   In the meantime, I will continue to check in the regular classes.  .Moreexpand_more

I chose Beginner because I am recovering from an injury and also wanted the chance to 'iron out' a few ballet 'questions' - this dvd was exactly what I needed. The quality is lovely and Franziska's instructions are clear to follow and the accompanying music sublime. Importantly, I can feel progress the more I follow this dvd. The warm-up is really superb, the barre is generously explained and beautifully demonstrated. I love the fact too that an introduction to pointe technique is offered at this Beginner level, already opening up exciting horizons to all learners. I will certainly continue now working my way up through these dvds at each ballet level. It's a very clever dvd which plainly lays the base for exquisite ballet technique and then there is Franziska's unique personality - her serenity is very transmittable - I am provided not only with excellent dance training but also finish feeling calm and uplifted. Wonderful training for any serious ballet student - and any serious ballet dreamers.