Ballet made its appearance in royal courts in the early 1600s, and the earliest forms of this elegant and sophisticated art involved the use of long skirts and wooden clogs. Ballet is extremely popular throughout the world, and studying it can help develop a strong body, increase spatial and temporal awareness, improve coordination. Furthermore, people who decide to practice it maintain a certain flexibility even as adults, and the techniques of this art represent the basis for studying any other type of dance. Doing ballet takes commitment and serious training in a school, but you can learn the basics to prepare for a class or other studies. Read this article to find out how to prepare yourself for exercises, basic positions and some of the first techniques belonging to this type of dance.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare to Dance
Step 1. Stretch carefully to stretch the muscles
Stretching is important for loosening muscles, strengthening them and making the body lean. It is essential to do this at the beginning of each training session, and also before each performance. Sometimes, it's important to stretch daily for at least 10-15 minutes to give your muscles a chance to warm up and reduce the risk of injury. You should also stretch to "cool down" at the end of each ballet class.
Step 2. Always wear the right shoes
Ideal ballet shoes should wrap around your feet, but not be too tight to block blood circulation and cause numbness in the area. There are different styles and types of slippers, so ask your dance instructor or store clerk for advice considering your intentions.
- Don't buy shoes of a larger size with a view to future growth. In fact, your feet will assume the wrong position during the movements, and you will not be able to get used to the shoes properly. Shoes should fit your feet and the tape should be tightened slightly loosely. The drawstring only serves to complete the shoe seal, it is not made to tighten excessively large footwear.
- If you can't buy ballet shoes, don't worry. Use smooth socks on the sole of your foot, so you can move around without difficulty.
Step 3. Wear comfortable, sporty, tight-fitting clothing
The most important factor is comfort. In fact, don't wear loose-fitting or soft-fitting clothing, this is because you have to make sure that you perform the positions and movements correctly in front of the mirror. With a simple black bodysuit and a pair of pink tights you usually go on the safe side. Pink or black ballet shoes are just as appropriate.
If you've signed up for a class, check with your teacher to find out if the school has a dress code. Some institutions prefer members to dress the same, while others only require any type of leotard and stockings, and sometimes tutus. In general, tight-fitting clothing is expected, so that you can properly see the muscles at work and correct yourself
Step 4. Find a suitable space to practice
Learning the movements is the minimum: to practice ballet correctly, you need to perfect them. The movements themselves are relatively simple, but the necessary stances, timing and elegance take a lifetime of practice. For this reason, it is always best to practice in a ballet studio, under the guidance of a good instructor, who will be able to correct your positions and make sure you dance well. A dance school is equipped with ideal mirrors to improve your movements and understand if you are performing them accurately; moreover, it has a special bar.
If you want to practice indoors, make sure you have enough space to move freely, preferably on a wooden floor. The back of a chair can replace the function of the bar. Set up a large mirror so you can check your positions and observe what you do
Method 2 of 3: Learn the Basics of the Bar
Step 1. Begin each bar training session
With this tool, you learn the basics of ballet, which are important for making progress. If you're just starting out, the barre work needs to be done for the entire lesson. This is key to developing strength, agility and flexibility, so don't think it's wasted time. If you skip this step, you won't be able to dance. Even professional dancers start each class at the bar.
Step 2. Learn the basic postures
The foundations of classical dance, and the foundations from which all the more complicated movements derive, are the five starting positions (and the parallel position, which some consider the sixth position). You will not be able to learn to do anything else until you have practiced, perfected and automated the six basic postures. They should be so ingrained in muscle memory that they become part of you.
All positions must be practiced in front of the bar, or with the left hand on the bar. Novice dancers usually start in front of the barre, while intermediate or advanced dancers generally start with their left hand on the barre while practicing the positions
Step 3. Practice the first position
In the first position, the feet should be facing outward, with the heels together. The legs should be fully extended and together, the back straight and the head held high. Maintain excellent posture and balance.
Step 4. Practice the second position
In the second position, the feet take on the same rotation as the first, only you should spread them about the same width as the shoulders. You should therefore widen the support base, but keep the same posture and balance as in the first position. Practice moving from the first position to the second without changing the rotation of the ankles.
Step 5. Practice the third position
To move to the third position, bring your main foot (usually, this is the dominant foot, or the one you would use to kick) behind the other. The heel of the dominant foot should be in front of the heel of the other foot. The feet should maintain the same rotation as in the first and second positions. Move your hips forward and keep yourself balanced. The legs should be straight and the shoulders pulled back.
Step 6. Practice the fourth position
To move from third to fourth position, move your dominant foot away from your front foot, distributing your weight backward as you did in transitioning from first to second. The feet should be facing each other; the heel of the rear foot should be aligned with the toe of the front foot. The distance between the feet should be approximately one foot.
Step 7. Practice the fifth position
At this point, the positions start to get slightly more complicated. To move to the fifth position, bring the non-dominant foot closer to the other, bending the ankle so that the heel of the front foot exactly matches the big toe of the other foot. The knee should be slightly flexed, while the back and shoulders should remain straight and balanced. Practice this transition frequently.
Step 8. Conclude with the parallel position
The feet assume a parallel and adjacent position.
Method 3 of 3: Practice Plié, Tendu and Extensions
Step 1. Do plie
Pliés resemble squats, and are performed in each of the different positions. There are two types of plié: grand plié and demi plié. Beginners perform them in the first and second positions. Intermediate and advanced level dancers perform them in all positions except the third and sixth.
- To make a demi plie, the legs must take on a shape similar to that of a diamond. Bend over to perform a squat: your knees should form a perfect 90 ° angle with your thigh and shin. You should be supporting the weight on your toes, lifting your heels off the floor, and bending your calves as you lower yourself down.
- To do a grand plie, you need to bend over further, so that your thighs are almost parallel to the floor. Also, you need to lower your arm while doing this. While practicing plie, focus on keeping your back straight and in perfect posture.
Step 2. Do the tendu
Essentially, tendus require the dominant foot to be pointed and extended. A typical combination of tendu is the so-called tendu en croix, or "crossed". Basically, to perform it, you have to assume the first position and point the toes of the dominant foot frontally, sideways and to the back.
- Marking the floor with duct tape to master the movement is quite common. You must take a firm step in front of you guiding the foot with the heel and placing the toes in front of you. The distance should be the same on the front, side and rear.
- The exact distance of the step varies, this depends on the dancer and the length of the leg. The tendu should turn the legs into a right triangle, with the fixed foot remaining straight and the dominant foot reaching as far as it can reach with the extended leg.
Step 3. Practice extensions
Stand straight, in first or fifth position. You could arrange in front of the bar or sideways. When you get used to it, you will become strong enough to do it without leaning on it.
- Lift one leg to the side or front, keeping it straight and lifting it as high as possible. Once your feet get off the floor, put them on toes. Keep both knees straight and correct posture. It is important to avoid lifting the hip or buttock to make the leg rise more. Always turn the leg outwards, never inwards.
- Follow the right technique by slowly lowering the leg and staying in the starting position, usually the first or fifth.
Step 4. Try to release the bar
Make sure you have a good balance by trying to see if you can get out of the bar. Meanwhile, keep your leg elevated. This step makes you strengthen even more. Make sure you don't hunch over, and don't move your mid-body closer or further away from the leg you extended.
Step 5. Start dancing on pointe once you feel ready
The next step in practicing ballet is to dance on pointe, which requires the use of proper shoes and good balance in this position. It is one of the most difficult and exciting steps in the study of this dance, and must be performed with the help of an experienced teacher. Generally, you get to this point after two or three years of practicing basic ballet, not before.
Dancing on pointe without a teacher can be dangerous, and is not recommended. It is essential to learn how to support yourself on pointe shoes, and to use them correctly. The teacher will let you know when you are ready to tiptoe dance
Advice
- Try to be relaxed: Stress is visibly reflected by the body. Relaxing can relieve tension in your shoulders, which would otherwise make you feel stiff and prevent you from moving gracefully.
- Before starting the course, learn the names of the steps, so that you don't feel overwhelmed. Just read the words quickly so that you get some familiarity. Most of the words are in French, so don't be afraid to find that they are pronounced differently than they are spelled. Look for a dictionary dedicated to ballet in the library or shop that sells ballet items and, if possible, borrow it.
- Don't force anything. The instructor will decide when to teach you certain techniques, or may even come to the conclusion that your body is unable to assimilate them at a particular stage of learning.
- Listen to the teacher and show him appreciation. Respect is key in ballet. Don't talk to your friends or alone in class. If you don't follow the right protocol, you could be kicked out of the classroom right away.
- Never start doing ballet with pointe shoes, and be wary of a school that allows beginners to use them. They are suitable for experienced dancers who have been practicing for years.
- Don't make any rash moves without a teacher present, as you may learn the wrong way and develop bad habits. If you sign up for a good course, you will be taught the techniques slowly and carefully over the course of the first few months, so don't worry too much if you don't know much. Enthusiasm and goodwill are the key to success!
- If your instructor does not stress the importance of correct hip and torso positioning, change it immediately.
- A good way to improve your balance is to do relevé every time you brush your teeth. Keep it for as long as possible and then take a break.
- Better not to use the classic socks. You could fall and get hurt. Buy special socks at a store that sells ballet items (you can also search for them on the internet by typing foot undies into the search engine). If you can't afford ballet shoes or jazz shoes, but can't practice when you are barefoot, cut the socks in half and use only the part that covers the metatarsus, so that the heel is exposed and you can easily make the movements..
- Choose a professionally qualified dance school. If the classes do not include stretching, this can be indicative that the instructor has not received adequate training or that the institution is not serious. Find out at another dance school or, better yet, change it: choose a valid and recognized one.
- Ballet is a strenuous activity that can cause your heart rate to increase. If you are prone to cardiovascular disease, you could have serious problems and endanger your own life. Before starting, consult a doctor.
- Don't dance on pointe until the dance teacher tells you you're ready! If you aren't, you can cause severe damage to your fingers, toe bones, and legs.
- Do not force the legs to open en dehors. You can hurt your knees. This movement should be performed involving the inner thigh and buttocks.
- If you have recently been using pointe shoes, never perform an important combination of steps. This will cause strain in your feet and hurt yourself. Before a performance, you need to get used to the shoes and have them fit your feet (this is done correctly without a hammer).
