Ballet

Ballet, a theatrical dance in which a formal academic dance technique, the danse d’école, is combined
with other artistic elements such as music, costume, and stage scenery.

Ballet is an art form created by the movement of the human body. It's a theatrical dance that features highly formalized steps and movements.
It uses body movements, music, and stage scenery to speak emotions, a story, an atmosphere, or a theme.

Here are the 5 basic Ballet positions we have:

Feet Positions

First Position: Heels together, toes pointed outwards to the side.
Second Position: Legs are moved apart, hip width apart, toes pointed outwards to the side.
Third Position: Feet pointed outwards, one foot placed in front of the other with front heel touching the back foot’s instep.
Fourth Position:
Open: Feet pointed outwards, with legs in third position but spread apart.
Crossed: Feet pointed outwards, legs spread apart with one foot placed in front of the other,
and the front foot is placed opposite the toes of the back foot.
Fifth Position: Feet pointed outwards, legs crossed and feet touching, with the heel of one foot placed beside the toes of the other.

Arm Positions

First Position: Arms held out in front of the body with rounded elbows in an oval shape, sloping down from the shoulders.
Second Position: Arms held out to the sides, horizontal with a slight slope downwards from shoulders to wrist.
Third Position: One arm held forward in first position, the other arm held to the side in second position.
Fourth Position: One arm held to the side in second position, the other arm raised up above the head, held slightly forward.
Fifth Position: Both arms raised up above the head, held slightly forward.

All together

Here, we have Beginner Ballet Stretches

10 Ballet Moves for Beginners

1. Plié (Plee-ay)
Plié, meaning "to bend" in French, is a fundamental movement in ballet that
involves bending the knees while keeping the heels on the ground. There are two types of plié: demi-plié,
where the dancer bends halfway, and grand plié, where the knees bend fully. Pliés help develop strength in the legs
and core while teaching proper alignment and posture.

2. Jetés (Zhuh-tay)
Jetés, or "throwing" steps, are jumps that involve a quick transfer of weight from one foot to the other.
A common jeté is the sauté, where a dancer jumps from both feet and lands on both feet, emphasizing lightness
and control. Jetés contribute to the dancer's ability to move with fluidity and grace.

3. Fondus (Fawn-dew)
Fondus involves bending and stretching the supporting leg
while the working leg undergoes a slow and controlled movement. This ballet move helps strengthen the muscles
and improve flexibility in the ankles. Fondus are crucial for developing the smooth, controlled leg movements
essential for many ballet routines.

4. Développés (Dayv-law-PAY)
Développés involve unfolding the leg from a bent position to a straight one. This move focuses on control, strength,
and flexibility, requiring dancers to extend their working leg with precision while maintaining proper alignment.
Développés are integral for achieving the long lines and extensions associated with classical ballet.

5. Sautés (Soh-TAY)
Sautés are jumps that require the dancer to spring into the air, landing with a controlled plié. These jumps help develop strength in the
legs and feet while emphasizing the importance of a soft landing. Sautés are foundational for more advanced jumps
and leaps commonly seen in classical ballet performances.

6. Arabesque (Ah-ra-BESK)
Arabesque is a pose where a dancer stands on one leg while extending the other leg behind them. This elegant
and iconic position showcases the dancer's strength, balance, and flexibility. Arabesques come in various forms, such as
arabesque à terre (on the ground) or arabesque en l'air (in the air).

7. Attitude (Ah-tee-TUDE)
Similar to arabesque, attitude is a pose where a dancer stands on one leg while lifting
and bending the other leg. The working leg is typically raised to the front, side, or back, creating a stylized
and expressive position. Mastering this ballet move requires a combination of strength and control.

8. Chassé (Sha-SAY)
Chassé means "to chase" in French and is a traveling step where one foot "chases" the other. This ballet move involves
a quick sliding step, often used to transition from one position to another. Chassé is crucial for developing speed,
agility, and the ability to seamlessly connect different steps in a dance sequence.

9. Tendu (Tahn-DU)
Tendu, meaning "stretched" in French, is a basic exercise where the foot slides along the floor until only
the toes remain in contact. This move helps improve foot articulation, strength, and flexibility.
Tendus are often used in combination with other steps to create intricate and dynamic sequences.

10. Port de Bras (Pawr duh brah)
Port de bras refers to the movement of the arms. It involves coordinating the arms with other body movements to
create a harmonious and expressive flow. Ballet places great emphasis on the fluidity and grace of the arms,
and port de bras is essential for conveying emotion and storytelling through dance.

Here are some Ballet performances:

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker (The Royal Ballet) from Royal Opera House on Youtube

Swan Lake – Dance of the cygnets (The Royal Ballet) from Royal Opera House on Youtube

Adam Giselle (The Royal Ballet) from Opus Arte on Youtube