1. Know the six positions:
First Position: Both feet are turned out and adjacent to your heels.
2nd Position - as 1st position but with a gap of about 12 inches between your heels.
Third Position: Same as first position but your heels will overlap.
Fourth Position: Same as third position but your feet are between six inches and a foot apart.
Fifth - similar to fourth position but with the big toe of one foot touching the heel of the other.
Sixth Position: Both feet are parallel and side by side.
2. Beginners do plies exercises in either 1st or 2nd position whereas intermediate and advanced dancers do plies in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th.
3. Do tendus steps. Start in the fifth position. You will slide your foot: forward, to the side, to the back and you will finish in the fifth position.
4. Beginners usually stand facing the barre, but more advanced dancers will stand at a right angle to the barre resting their left hand upon it.
Leg Exercises at the Barre
1. Begin in the first of fifth position by standing straight. Position yourself sideways to the barre or face it.
2. Point your foot and raise your leg forward or to the side as dictated by the way you are positioned beside the barre. Don't use your buttocks to raise your leg, and remember to keep both of your knees straight and your leg turned out.
3. Take your hands off the barre and let your leg remaining resting on it to build strength - remember your posture. Stand tall!
4. Keeping your technique and posture correct, return to your starting position.
Tips for Ballet Dancers
1. Ballet dancing is a skill that takes years to perfect. Don't give up. Keep at the exercises and you will succeed.
2. Buy your ballet shoes either from your ballet school, or a store that specializes in dance clothing.
3. Remember to show energy in your dance by making flowing movements with fingers and toes. When other parts of the body are meant to be straight and poised, your fingers and toes can reach out to the audience and draw them into your dance.
4. Costumes can be expensive. If you don't have money for a new one try to find a second hand costume in a consignment store. Alternatively have a family member make one for you, or if no-one sews, engage the services of a seamstress - make sure you leave plenty of time for this however as you may have to reserve her services several weeks in advance.
5. There are two things to keep in mind when starting pointe work. The first is that your body weight will need to be supported by your body strength. This is where the strengthening exercises you have done over the years begin to pay off. The second is that you must have a good technique in order to dance en pointe. If you find your body isn't ready to do this, then participate in a different form of ballet that doesn't require pointe work such as jazz or modern ballet. Any kind of ballet will make your body flexible and that will benefit you throughout your life.
First Position: Both feet are turned out and adjacent to your heels.
2nd Position - as 1st position but with a gap of about 12 inches between your heels.
Third Position: Same as first position but your heels will overlap.
Fourth Position: Same as third position but your feet are between six inches and a foot apart.
Fifth - similar to fourth position but with the big toe of one foot touching the heel of the other.
Sixth Position: Both feet are parallel and side by side.
2. Beginners do plies exercises in either 1st or 2nd position whereas intermediate and advanced dancers do plies in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th.
3. Do tendus steps. Start in the fifth position. You will slide your foot: forward, to the side, to the back and you will finish in the fifth position.
4. Beginners usually stand facing the barre, but more advanced dancers will stand at a right angle to the barre resting their left hand upon it.
Leg Exercises at the Barre
1. Begin in the first of fifth position by standing straight. Position yourself sideways to the barre or face it.
2. Point your foot and raise your leg forward or to the side as dictated by the way you are positioned beside the barre. Don't use your buttocks to raise your leg, and remember to keep both of your knees straight and your leg turned out.
3. Take your hands off the barre and let your leg remaining resting on it to build strength - remember your posture. Stand tall!
4. Keeping your technique and posture correct, return to your starting position.
Tips for Ballet Dancers
1. Ballet dancing is a skill that takes years to perfect. Don't give up. Keep at the exercises and you will succeed.
2. Buy your ballet shoes either from your ballet school, or a store that specializes in dance clothing.
3. Remember to show energy in your dance by making flowing movements with fingers and toes. When other parts of the body are meant to be straight and poised, your fingers and toes can reach out to the audience and draw them into your dance.
4. Costumes can be expensive. If you don't have money for a new one try to find a second hand costume in a consignment store. Alternatively have a family member make one for you, or if no-one sews, engage the services of a seamstress - make sure you leave plenty of time for this however as you may have to reserve her services several weeks in advance.
5. There are two things to keep in mind when starting pointe work. The first is that your body weight will need to be supported by your body strength. This is where the strengthening exercises you have done over the years begin to pay off. The second is that you must have a good technique in order to dance en pointe. If you find your body isn't ready to do this, then participate in a different form of ballet that doesn't require pointe work such as jazz or modern ballet. Any kind of ballet will make your body flexible and that will benefit you throughout your life.
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