Things to Know Before Starting Ballet Class
by Sarah Wilkiamson on Jul.04, 2009, under Arts & Entertainment
1. Ballet is all about stretching. It’s used to strengthen muscle groups as well as warm them up ready for dance. The stretching assists in posture and helps to lengthen the body. It’s vital that all ballet dancers participate in a stretching workout prior to beginning the dance element of their class so that injury from stressing unprepared muscles is avoided.
2. All ballet dance steps have a name that you will need to learn. The names are mostly in French but if you repeat each step’s name as you exercise you’ll soon learn them. One way of getting a head start on this is to purchase a ballet dictionary, or print a ballet term glossary off the Internet. Learn each step carefully, making sure that you are following your dance instructor’s instructions. When first starting your class should go at a slower pace so that you get a chance to learn how to do each step properly, but as you become more experienced the pace will get quicker.
3. When you are choosing your ballet slippers, make sure they fit tightly like a glove. Do not have them fit too tight. Your ballet slippers’ drawstring should be tied loose.
4. Don’t even think about skipping the barre work! It might not be your idea of ballet dancing but it’s crucial to preparing your body for the activity ahead. Barre work aids your balance, your flexibility, your posture and of course your strength. All ballet dancers do barre work, so if you want to do ballet – take your place at the barre!
5. Does your ballet school have a strict dress code? You need to find this out before you turn up for your first class! If you wear the wrong type of clothing, even if it’s the wrong color your ballet instructor may not allow you in the room – ballet is very strict on rules! Spare money and embarrassment by doing your homework and ensuring you have exactly the right style and color of ballet clothing that your ballet school requires.
6. Ballet dance style requires certain things from your body and if you take different types of dance class you could find that you aren’t able to separate out the various poses and movements. Ballet beginners should at least have some basic ballet steps and posture requirements perfect before they participate in less formal dance styles.
7. Ballet is a very formal dance form. It is very strict about using the correct etiquette at all times. You will learn this as you learn your ballet steps, but if in doubt, always follow what your ballet teacher tells you. Even the best ballet dancers in the world respect and follow their ballet teacher’s advice.

