Ballet is an elegant and powerful dance form that has been practiced for centuries. It combines strength, flexibility, and grace to create a visually stunning performance. If you’re new to ballet, starting with the basics is essential. Ballet techniques are built upon foundational steps that, when mastered, allow dancers to advance to more complex movements.
Whether you’re considering ballet for yourself or a child, understanding the fundamental steps will help build strength, coordination, and artistry. This blog will guide you through 10 essential beginner ballet steps to help you get started on your ballet journey.
1. Plié (Bend)
One of the most fundamental movements in ballet, the plié, is a knee bend performed in several positions. It forms the basis for many other movements in ballet and is a great way to build strength in the legs and core.
How to Perform It:
- Start by standing with your feet in the first or second position.
- Slowly bend your knees while keeping your heels grounded on the floor.
- As you bend, ensure your knees track over your toes and your back remains straight.
- The depth of your plié will vary depending on the position (a demi-plié is a half bend, and a grand plié is a deeper bend).
Why It’s Important:
The plié helps develop leg strength and flexibility. It’s also essential for other jumps and turns in ballet, as it prepares the legs for lifting off the ground.
2. Tendu (Stretch)
The tendu is an essential ballet move where one leg extends outward in a straight line. It develops foot and ankle strength while improving control and flexibility.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first position with your feet together.
- Slide one foot outward, keeping the toes pointed and the leg straight until the foot is fully extended.
- Ensure that the rest of your body remains upright and the supporting leg stays straight.
- Bring the foot back to the starting position.
Why It’s Important:
The tendon helps develop proper leg and foot alignment and muscle control. It’s also critical for improving flexibility and strengthening the feet, which are essential for more advanced ballet movements.
3. Degagé (Disengage)
The dégagé is similar to a tendu but involves the foot lifting slightly off the floor. It helps improve foot articulation and develops leg strength.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first position with your feet together.
- Extend one foot outward in a tendu position, but lift the foot a few inches off the floor this time, ensuring it is still fully extended.
- Return the foot to its original position.
Why It’s Important:
The dégagé helps dancers improve their footwork, strengthening their legs and ankles for higher jumps and more fluid movements.
4. Rond de Jambe (Circle of the Leg)
Rond de jambe is a circular leg motion that can be performed both on the floor and in the air. This move is used to improve flexibility in the hips and to train smooth, fluid movements.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first position with your feet together.
- Extend one leg out to the front in tendu.
- Keeping the leg straight, trace a semi-circle on the floor (moving the leg to the side and back).
- Complete the motion by returning the leg to the original position.
Why It’s Important:
Rond de jambe is essential for improving flexibility in the hip joint and learning to control leg movements. It’s also a preparatory movement for more complex steps such as développé and grand rond de jambe.
5. Arabesque (Leg Extension)
An arabesque involves extending one leg behind the dancer while maintaining balance on the other leg. It’s a graceful and powerful position, often seen in performances.
How to Perform It:
- Start in a balanced position with one foot supporting your weight.
- Slowly extend one leg behind you, keeping it straight and elevated at a comfortable height (the leg should form a straight line with the body).
- Keep the upper body upright and use your arms for balance.
- Hold the position briefly and then return to the starting position.
Why It’s Important:
The arabesque helps develop balance, flexibility, and strength in the back, legs, and core. It’s a fundamental position used in many advanced ballet steps.
6. Relevé (Raised)
A relevé is a movement where the dancer rises onto the balls of their feet (or onto their toes in advanced levels). It helps strengthen the calves and improve balance.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first position or any other position.
- Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet while keeping the body tall and aligned.
- Hold the position briefly, then lower back down with control.
Why It’s Important:
Relevé improves balance and strength in the feet and ankles, which is essential for higher jumps and more advanced ballet positions. It also contributes to building muscle strength in the lower legs.
7. Sauté (Jump)
The sauté is a basic ballet jump, often combined with other movements. It involves jumping off the floor with both feet and landing in a plié.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first or second position.
- Bend your knees slightly (plié), and then jump upward.
- As you jump, extend your legs and point your toes.
- Land softly in a plié to absorb the impact.
Why It’s Important:
The sauté jump improves the dancer’s ability to jump with control and precision, essential for developing more complex jumps and leaps in ballet.
8. Chassé (Chased)
The chassé is a gliding step that moves the dancer forward, backward, or sideways. It is often used as a transition step between other movements.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first position.
- Slide one foot forward, bringing the other foot to meet it, then continue by sliding the first foot forward again.
- The movement should be smooth and fluid like you’re gliding across the floor.
Why It’s Important:
The chassé helps develop fluidity and smoothness in movements. It also improves coordination, especially when transitioning between different steps.
9. Pirouette (Turn)
A pirouette is a turn performed on one leg. It’s one of the most iconic ballet movements and requires balance, strength, and control.
How to Perform It:
- Start in a preparatory position with one foot in front of the other.
- Perform a plié (bend your knees) and then push off the floor, using your supporting leg to rotate your body.
- Keep your body aligned and your eyes focused on a spot before you to help with balance.
- Complete the turn and return to your starting position.
Why It’s Important:
The pirouette builds balance, strength, and coordination. It’s an essential step for turning in ballet and is often performed in advanced ballet routines.
10. Grand Battement (Large Beat)
A grand battement is a large, high kick in which the leg is extended to its highest point and brought back down.
How to Perform It:
- Start in the first position.
- Lift one leg before you, keeping it straight as you kick it to a high position.
- Lower the leg back to the ground with control.
Why It’s Important:
The grand battement helps improve flexibility, strength, and control in the legs and hips. It’s often used in choreography and helps prepare dancers for higher jumps and more advanced movements.
Conclusion
Mastering these 10 beginner ballet steps is an exciting dance journey. These foundational movements will improve your strength, flexibility, and coordination while helping you build a deeper understanding of the art of ballet. Ballet requires patience and practice, but with consistency and dedication, you will develop the necessary skills to progress into more complex movements.
Kew School of Dance offers ballet classes catering to all experience levels. Whether you are starting from scratch or building on your existing ballet skills, our experienced instructors are here to guide you every step of the way. Join us and experience the beauty of ballet!
For more information or to sign up for a class, contact us at 03 9123 8458 / 0410 311 008 and start your ballet journey today!
