You can find rubber mats that are made for ballet online.
Make sure you warm up before you stretch because stretching cold muscles increases your risk of injury.
Do a forward bend: Stand up straight with your feet together and your toes pointing forward. Hinge forward at your waist and reach down to the floor. Go down as far as you can and try to touch the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Do a wide-leg stretch: Sit on the floor and spread your legs out in a “V. ” Point your toes up into the air. Lean forward and reach between your legs as far as you can. Hold for 30 seconds. Stretch your quads: Your quads are the front of your thighs. Stand up straight with your legs together and hold onto a chair for support. Lift 1 leg behind you and grasp the top of your foot with your hand. Pull your foot into your butt. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs.
Point your toes out as far as you can. At first, you might only be able to make a narrow “V. " However, you’ll become more flexible over time and may eventually be able to turn your toes out.
Like with the first position, only turn your toes out as far as you comfortably can.
You can do the third position with either your right arm and leg or your left arm and leg. You might put your arms into the third position as you perform leaps and jumps.
Sometimes you may put your arms into the fourth position during leaps and jumps.
Like with the other positions, you may do leaps and jumps with your arms in the 5th position. It’s okay to put your arms in the 5th position when you’re just a beginner. It’s the footwork that’s challenging.
In French demi means half. So, with a demi-pliè, you will only go a quarter to a half of the way down depending on the style of ballet. Pliés are pronounced as Plea-AE. You can hold onto a ballet barre or the back of a chair for support if you need it. Always start with lightly placing a hand on something to help stabilize you. At home, your makeshift barre should be slightly above elbow height. Remember the barre is only there to help if and when needed. Try not to become dependent on the barre for balance. Work on finding your balance by going through the moves slowly pause in each one until you feel you have a stable connection to the ground then slowly move to your next position or move. Doing this will help when you advance. and move to center work. After you can do a demi plié, move on to the grande pliés. It’s the same move, except that you lift your heels off the floor. This is similar to a squat but you have your heels together and your toes pointed out.
Tendues are pronounced Ton-DUE. (Like fondue but with a T) After you master the first position, try tendues in the other positions. (work on tendue from all 5 positions this is a good warmup for your legs at the barre) You can use a tendue to transition from the first to the second position. Do a tendue to the side, then lower your foot to the floor instead of bringing it back in.
Releve is pronounced, “rel uh VEY. ” After you master releves in the first position, try them in the other positions, as well.
Typically, you’ll do sets of 4, 6, or 8 sautés. Pay attention to your form so that each sauté is performed correctly. [18] X Research source Once you master this, practice doing it in the second position.
An échappé is pronounced A-sha-PAY. Do several jumps shifting from first to second, then second to first. You can also do an échappé to shift from fifth to the second position.
Jeté is pronounced Zha-TAE. Jump as high as you can without overexerting your body or bending your knees. With practice, you’ll be able to jump higher and spread your legs further.
Grand battement is pronounced GROND Bot-MAH. When you’re doing a grand battement to the back, lean forward slightly but don’t bend at your waist. Try to lift your leg at least 90 degrees off the ground, but don’t push yourself further than your range of motion can go. As you practice, you’ll be able to lift your leg further off the ground. You can do grand battements with your arms in other positions as you get better at the ballet.
Subscribe to ballet channels that you find helpful. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need lessons if you’re wanting to become an advanced dancer. However, video tutorials are a great way to start and can help you enjoy ballet as a hobby.
Look for video workouts online. Watch a preview of the workout before you buy it to see if you can follow the instruction. Pick a video that’s at your level. If you’re a beginner, look for a step-by-step video to help you learn.
If you’ve been practicing at home and can’t afford classes, ask the school if they have a scholarship or internship program. You may be able to earn a scholarship if you show talent and dedication, or you might be able to get a class discount if you help out around the studio.
