Ballet for Beginners (Working Guide)

Ballet is one of the most searched dance styles because it looks impossible from the outside and turns out to be teachable from the inside. This guide is for adult beginners who want to start ballet, whether for the artistic beauty, the physical training, or as foundation for other dance styles.

The five foot positions

First position: heels together, toes turned out to the sides. Second position: feet apart (roughly shoulder-width), toes turned out. Third position: one foot in front of the other, heel of the front foot touching the arch of the back foot. Fourth position: one foot in front of the other with space between them, both turned out. Fifth position: one foot directly in front of the other, heel of the front foot touching the toe of the back foot. Every ballet exercise starts from one of these positions.

The arm positions

Bras bas (arms low): both arms curved slightly forward at hip level. First position: both arms curved forward at waist level. Second position: arms out to the sides at shoulder height, slightly forward. Third position: one arm curved forward, one arm out to the side. Fourth position: one arm forward and up, one arm out. Fifth position: both arms curved up overhead. Ballet arm positions carry over into contemporary and jazz styles.

Ballet turnout (the specific hip rotation)

Turnout is the rotation of the legs outward from the hips (not the knees or ankles). Every ballet position uses turnout. Beginners often force turnout from the feet, which damages knees. Correct turnout starts at the hip socket and rotates the entire leg. Full 180 degree turnout takes years of specific training; beginners work with whatever natural rotation they have.

Basic exercises at the barre

Plié: bending the knees while maintaining turnout and proper posture. Practiced in first and second position first. Tendu: brushing one foot along the floor to a pointed position and returning. Dégagé: tendu but with the toe lifting slightly off the floor. Rond de jambe: drawing a circle on the floor with the pointed toe. Every ballet class begins with a version of these exercises at the barre.

Adult ballet classes: what to expect

Adult beginner classes typically run 60 to 90 minutes. First 30-40 minutes at the barre. Middle section in the center (adagio slow combinations, then faster combinations across the floor). Final section usually a small combination pulling the class together. Wear comfortable clothing that lets you see your lines (fitted top and either leggings or proper ballet tights). Ballet shoes or bare feet.

Ballet vocabulary you should learn first

Plié (bend), tendu (brush), dégagé (small brush lift), rond de jambe (circle of the leg), grand battement (large kick), retiré (foot at the knee), passé (foot passing at the knee), sauté (jump from two feet), jeté (jumping leap), pirouette (turn). French vocabulary is universal in ballet regardless of where you study; learning it makes any ballet class in any country followable.

Common ballet mistakes for adult beginners

Forcing turnout beyond natural rotation (damages knees). Gripping the barre too tightly for balance instead of using core strength. Sinking into hips instead of pulling up through the torso. Trying advanced moves before basic alignment is solid. Skipping the barre work to get to the "fun" center work. Comparing yourself to dancers who trained for 15 years.

How long ballet takes to develop

Basic competence at the beginner class level: 6 to 12 months of consistent practice (2-3 classes per week). Intermediate level: 3 to 5 years of consistent training. Adult ballet rarely reaches professional level (which typically requires starting at age 8 to 12), but adult ballet can absolutely become skilled and beautiful with time.

Ballet at home versus in classes

Home practice is essential for progress but insufficient on its own. Ballet requires specific corrections on your specific body that only an experienced teacher can give. Online tutorials help supplement class work but rarely replace it because they cannot see your specific alignment errors. Ideal: one to three studio classes per week plus daily short home practice.

Ballet body versus ballet training

The lean specific look associated with professional ballet dancers is partly natural body type and partly the specific training effects. Adult ballet training absolutely improves posture, flexibility, and body control regardless of body type. Do not confuse the specific aesthetic of one type of ballet body with the actual benefits of ballet training, which are available to everyone.

Where ballet dancers of every level find audiences that appreciate the craft

Ballet has a specific audience that appreciates the specific hours behind every performance. On community based platforms, where reach is earned through voted, deliberate audience backing rather than opaque feed decisions, ballet dancers find the specific audience that watches with attention. Cracy is built for this shape.

Read next: contemporary dance for beginners, jazz dance for beginners, and types of dance.