Ballet was first performed in the early 1600s, and early performances of this elegant and graceful art were performed using long skirts and wooden puppets. Ballet dance is very popular around the world, and learning to dance can help build a strong body, build spatial and temporal awareness, and improve coordination. People who learn ballet also get a flexible body in adulthood, thus making ballet dance techniques the basis of all other types of dance. While ballet requires serious dedication and practice, you can learn the basics to prepare yourself for the next practice. Learn to prepare to dance, basic positions, and some of the early techniques you may encounter in ballet.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready to Dance
Step 1. Stretch all the muscles of your body
Stretching is essential for relaxing and strengthening muscles, as well as lengthening your posture. Stretching is especially important at the start of every ballet session, including before a performance. Sometimes it's also important to stretch every day for at least 10-15 minutes to give the muscles a chance to warm up, thereby reducing the risk of injury. You should also stretch to cool off after you've finished ballet.
Step 2. Always wear ballet shoes
Proper ballet shoes should fit snugly but not tight enough to block blood flow and numb your feet. There are several styles and types of ballet shoes, so check with your trainer, or ballet shoe salesman to find shoes that match your dancing goals.
- Don't buy loose-fitting shoes, as your feet will look bent at the ends and look flat. The shoes you wear should fit snugly when the laces are tied a little loosely. Straps only help to fit shoes better, but they are not made to tighten shoes that are too loose.
- If you can't afford ballet shoes, that's okay. Wear a non-adhesive sock at the bottom, so you can flip it over!
Step 3. Wear exercise that fits and is comfortable
The most important thing is that you are comfortable, and that you are not wearing loose-fitting clothes so you can make sure that your position and movement are correct in the mirror. A black gym top and pink tights are usually a good choice. Black or pink ballet shoes are also suitable.
If you are enrolling in a ballet class, ask your coach if there is a uniform in the class. Some ballet schools require students to dress in uniform and other schools may only ask for tight clothing and sometimes ballet skirts. For the most part, they require tight clothing so that your muscles can be seen if they are moving properly and so on
Step 4. Find a suitable place to practice
Ballet is not just learning to move but much more about perfecting it. The ballet moves themselves are relatively self-explanatory, but their positioning, timing, and gracefulness require a lifetime of practice. For this reason, it is always better to practice ballet in the studio with a good coach, who will help correct your position and ensure you dance properly. The dance studio is also equipped with a mirror to fix your position and see exactly what you're doing, and a horizontal handle for practicing.
If you want to practice at home, make sure you have a large enough open space to move freely, preferably on hardwood floors. The back of the chair can replace the handle in the studio. Place a large mirror so you can check your position and see what you're doing
Part 2 of 3: Learning the Basics of Using the Handle
Step 1. Begin each ballet practice on the barre
At barre, you will learn the basics of ballet which will benefit you as you progress. If you're just starting to practice, all dance practice should be done on the barre. This is very important for your strength, flexibility, and agility, so don't think of this exercise as a waste of time. If you don't, you won't be able to dance. Even professional ballet dancers start each practice at the barre.
Step 2. Learn basic positions
There are five basic ballet positions, which are the basis of all the more complicated movements (and the "parallel position" is considered the sixth position). You won't be able to learn the other moves until you practice, perfect, and can do these six basic movements simultaneously. This basic movement must be embedded in your muscle memory so that it becomes part of your DNA.
All positions should be practiced facing the barre or with your left hand holding it there. Beginner dancers usually face the barre, while advanced or nearly proficient dancers usually start with their left hand holding on to the barre while practicing their position
Step 3. Practice the first position
In the first position, the soles of your feet should be turned toward the outside of your body, and together at the heels. Your legs should be straight and close together, your back should be straight and your head should be up. Maintain good posture and balance.
Step 4. Practice the second position
In the second position, the soles of your feet are pointed at the same angle as in the first position, only the soles of your feet should move so that they are shoulder-width apart. Spread the base of your body for support, but maintain the same posture and balance as in the first position. Practice changing the first position into the second position without changing the angle of your ankle.
Step 5. Practice the third position
To move to the third position, move your main foot (usually your dominant foot, or the foot you kick with) behind your other foot. The heel of your main foot should be in line with the heel of your other ankle. Move your hips forward and maintain your balance. Your legs should be straight and your shoulders should be pointing back.
Step 6. Practice the fourth position
To change from the third position to the fourth position, move your main leg back, spreading your weight backwards, as between the first and second positions.
Step 7. Practice the fifth position
Here, your position will become more complicated. To move to fifth position, move your other foot behind your main foot, bending your ankle so that your heel is over your main toe. Your knees should be slightly bent, but your back and shoulders should be straight and balanced. Practice this position more often.
Step 8. Finish in parallel position
The soles of your feet are parallel to each other.
Part 3 of 3: Training Plie, Tendu and Extension
Step 1. Do the plie
The plie is a movement similar to a squat, performed in a different position. There are two types of plies: grande plies and demi plies. Beginners do plies in the first and second positions. While skilled and almost proficient dancers do it in all positions except for the third and sixth positions.
- To do a demi plie, shape your legs into a diamond shape. Bend your knees and do a squat so that your knees form a perfect 90-degree angle with your thighs and shins. You should support your weight on the balls of your feet, keeping your heels off the floor and bending your calves as you lower your body.
- To perform a grande plie, you need to lower your legs further down, so that your thighs are almost parallel to the floor. You will also need to lower your arms as you perform this movement. As you practice plies, focus on keeping your back straight and maintaining your posture.
Step 2. Do the tentu
Tendu is basically a straightening and stretching movement of your main leg. A common tenu combination is tenu en cross, which means "in a cross position". You're basically standing in the first position and pointing your main toe forward, sideways, and backward.
- It is common practice to mark the floor with tape to help you practice. You need to take a full step forward, starting with your heels and bringing your toes forward. The distance in front of you, your sides and behind you should be the same.
- The actual distance from your stride will vary depending on the dancer and the length of your legs. You need to do the tendu to move your legs into a right triangle, keeping one leg straight and your main foot going all the way straight.
Step 3. Practice "extensions"
Stand up straight, in the first or fifth position. You may be facing the barre or beside it. As you get more proficient, you will be strong enough to do it in the middle.
- Lift one leg to the side or forward, keeping it straight as high as you can. Straighten the soles of your feet as they begin to lift off the floor. Keep your knees straight and your posture. Do not let you lift your hips or buttocks so that your legs are higher. Always point your feet outwards, not inwards.
- Maintain correct technique by slowly lowering your legs and standing in the starting position, usually first or fifth.
Step 4. Try removing the barre
Make sure you're balanced by testing first if you can let go. Keep your feet up. This will make you stronger. Make sure your body is not slouching or leaning toward the leg you are extending.
Step 5. Put on your en pointe shoes when you're ready
The next step in ballet dancing is dancing en pointe in pointe shoes and balancing on your toes. This is the most challenging and fun part of ballet practice, and should be done with the help of an experienced trainer. This exercise is usually done after no less than two or three years of ballet practice.
Dancing en pointe without a coach can be very dangerous and is not recommended. Being able to support yourself in pointe shoes and knowing how to put them on is important. Your coach will let you know when you are ready to dance en pointe
Tips
- Stay relaxed -- stress will show in your body. Relaxing can loosen shoulder tension, which can make you look weird and unreliable.
- Learn the name of the step you are going to practice beforehand so you don't get overwhelmed. Even if you just look at the words to get to know him better. Most of the terms used are in French, so don't be surprised if this doesn't sound like it's written. Look for a ballet dictionary at a ballet shop that you can borrow.
- Do not push yourself. Your ballet teacher will have different techniques to show you or even state that your body won't be able to do it on a certain stage.
- Listen and respect your teacher. Respect is an important part of ballet. Don't talk to friends or yourself during practice. If you disobey polite ballet etiquette, you may be expelled from class.
- Do not dance ballet in pointe shoes, and avoid schools that require students to wear pointe shoes. These shoes are intended for experienced ballet dancers who may have been dancing for several years.
- Don't try new moves without your teacher, as you may make the wrong moves and develop bad habits. A good classroom teacher will teach you slowly and carefully during the first few months, so don't worry too much because you don't know much. Enthusiasm and strong will is the key!
- A good way to practice balance is to repeat the ballet position after each brush. Hold on as long as you can and change your position.
- Change your teacher immediately if he doesn't emphasize the importance of positioning your hips and torso.
- Don't wear socks! You could fall and get injured. Buy socks at a dance supply store. If you really can't afford ballet shoes, or jazz shoes, and can't come to practice barefoot, only wear the first half of the sock, so your heels remain bare and you can stop your movement.
- Always choose a quality ballet school. If your practice doesn't include a warm-up, it could be a sign that your teacher wasn't trained properly or that your ballet school wasn't good either. Seek advice from another dance school, or better yet, transfer to a quality-assured ballet school/class.
- Ballet training is a strenuous activity that can increase your heart rate. If you are prone to heart problems, you could suffer serious, dangerous injuries, check with your doctor before starting to exercise.
- Don't wear toe shoes until your ballet coach says you're ready! You can get serious toe, sole and foot injuries if you're not ready.
- Do not force a circular motion. This can injure your knee. The circular motion starts from the inside of the thigh and back side.
- When wearing pointe shoes, never dance the essential movements with new shoes. This can cause strain on your feet and injury. Always break your shoes before a show (you can get it right without using a hammer).
