Ballet Resources for Beginners

What to expect at your first class

All ballet classes start at the barre. Your instructor will guide you through some basic exercises that will work on the fundamental techniques you will need later on in the centre. These exercises are done with one hand on the barre for support, typically with your outside leg "working" and your inside leg "supporting." 

When the barre exercises are complete, we move on to the centre, where more complex combinations are performed away from the barre. 

Placement and positions of the body

There are five basic positions of the feet in ballet, accompanied by positions of the arms. A guide to these positions can be found here. Most beginner exercises will start from first or fifth position, with the arms in second.

In general, you will want to turn out your legs, point your feet, and keep your knees straight.

Other resources

• Glossary of ballet terms
• How to hold the barre
• Basic ballet stretches