I have made a New Year's resolution to get into better shape to improve my dancing.

Like most, I have a full time job so don't have a lot of time to devote to an extensive workout.

Specifically, I want to work on my flexibility, strength and balance.

One goal is to (ideally ) be able to do a developpé with complete control, i.e, be strong & flexible enough to PUT my leg where I want it & hold it there versus getting it the via momentum and not be able to hold it.

I have worked with personal trainer but he had no clue on how to acheive my goals. Needless to say, he also couldn't fathom the fact that I want to be able to do this while wearing 2 1/2" to 3" inch heels.

Any ideas / suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jvallee

Yoga classes help with strengthening and flexibility, but as phil said, you really need to constantly practice the dance to build the necessary strength ... a little warning though ... the sensation of having your abs and back "burned out" the following morning might not be entirely pleasant.

I've just started a good ballet class in San Jose, CA, and all 3 of those objectives you mentioned are adressed in this class.

I've also had a girlfriend take a private lesson with the instructor, and she mentioned that she has learned how to do a develope properly. "And it made so much more sense" to her.

You might want to ask the pro's or really competitive students, if any of them can recommend a ballet teacher. Having one that understands Ballroom is a tremendous help.

There are no magic solutions!!
There is also a little bit of a paradox in your requirements - you don't have time for extensive workouts, but you want to improve your dancing.
Improving your dancing significantly will take lots of time and practice.
A high level of fitness (aerobic, strength and flexibility) is the only reliable platform from which to develop the specific skills and fitness requirements of the sport (plus, of course, improving your general health). Like any sport, dancing has its specific fitness requirements.
You can of course work on all the elements required - stand on one leg with your eyes closed and this will teach your brain to improve your balance - keep your leg muscles strong - do back extension exercises etc - but at the end of the day, there is no substitute for quality practise (under the guidance of good teacher) of the dancing you're interested in.
I used to have problems with my alignment and balance in the whisk and chassis movement in ballroom, so i developed a practice routine i could do at home on my own, and i did it for 20 minutes every day for many weeks. I have no problems now (not with whisk and chassis, anyway!!) This is the sort of work you will have to do if you want to seriously improve. It all takes time and a serious committment and there are no short cuts. If anyone else has good ideas - - please let us know!!

I have done these exercises in both 3" heels and in flat jazz shoes (pancake heel).

There are a few exercises that I know of which will definitely assist in flexibility, balance, and strength. I do these exercises before a lesson, and it only takes a few minutes.

#1:
Stand up straight. Flex your knees and ankles towards the floor, keeping your heels on the floor. Bend just a little; these are not deep-knee bends. Hold this position throughout the exercise. Place 100% of your weight on your left foot. Stretch your right leg and point your toes in front of you, then to the side, then to the back. Hold each position for a a few seconds. As you do this, there should be only about 5-10% weight on the moving leg. The less you rely on the floor for balance the better. Bring your right leg back to its original position and change weight from left to right. Repeat with left leg.

#2:
Stand up straight. Flex your knees and ankles towards the floor, keeping your heels on the floor. Keeping your feet together, take your heels off the floor (balancing only on the ball/toes), keeping your knees flexed. Hold for a few seconds. Now, straighten your knees, but don't lock your knees; don't hyperextend. Hold for a few seconds. Slowly lower to a normal standing position. Repeat.

Regards, Hoofer

I would recommed: Pilates, Ballet and Yoga as good workouts to develop some of the strength and flexbility you will need.

There is a big diffrenec between doing these well, with a good instructor, and doing them
without too much benefit and sometimes even danger to your health.

Look for a good teacher first.