Learn how to dance ballet at home
Beginner Ballet for Adults — Broche Ballet
Quickstart Guide for Adult Ballet Beginners
Beginning ballet as an adult can be an intimidating experience. Ballet can feel unattainable and like it is only for the young and thin. But that’s no longer true! Adult ballet is growing in popularity and more and more adults are pursuing their dreams of ballet every day.
There are so many reasons to learn ballet as an adult, whether that’s discipline, gracefulness, coordination, balance, artistry, self-expression, strength, or flexibility. Or, even being a part of carrying on a traditional art form. (And, on a fun note, the outfits are so magical!)
You can take it as far as you want, including performing on stage, going en pointe, partnering, and more. Like any new skill, it takes hard work and dedication, but it is possible to learn as an adult!
Keep reading for all of the details!
Finding a local studio
This can be a challenging process, as adult ballet is still on its way into the mainstream. It’s perfectly valid to learn ballet entirely at home, and Broche Ballet’s online program and YouTube channel help you do just that.
But, most of us desire to also find a local community of like-minded adults to enjoy the journey with!
Some of us are lucky to have an adult-only ballet studio near us, but most need to venture into a traditional ballet school for children where they might have what’s called an “Adult open drop-in program.” The word “open” means that the program is open to the public, and you don’t have to audition to get in (as opposed to “pre-professional” programs that are by audition or invitation only). And “drop-in” means that you can join class whenever you want without having to register for a full semester of committed classes.
In a typical case, an Adult Open Program might offer a “beginner” level class, but this “beginner” class can have everyone from people like you, all the way up to advanced dancers who enjoy the slower pace of a beginner class.
An “absolute beginner” level class is typically closer to the actual beginning of ballet.
This can be an intimidating environment for someone who is completely new to ballet, because there is a lot that is assumed that you already know. Watch the video below for an in-depth look at the challenging structure of the Open Program.
(But, don’t worry, the videos on this page will help you feel confident if/when you do go to class!)
What is ballet class like?
Ballet training looks much different than what you see on stage. We train our muscles with a set of 8 main exercises holding onto the barre and then we apply that technique when dancing away from the barre (called “Center”). A standard class is 90 minutes, with about 60 minutes at the barre and 30 in the center. Sometimes, the classes may be shorter. Watch the videos below to get an idea of what to expect in class!
Download the Beginner Ballet Vocabulary Checklist
Do I need to be young, thin, and flexible to start ballet?
No! Ballet itself will help you reach your fitness and flexibility goals, and dancers of all ages can learn ballet.
Within the Broche Ballet community alone, we have dancers who are tall, short, in their 80s, have multiple kids, grandkids, and all shapes and sizes. Get inspired with the videos below!
Is ballet dangerous?
Not necessarily. If you use the correct technique, you can safely dance ballet for many many years. Our knees and backs are often the most at-risk of injury if we dance with incorrect technique. Watch the videos below to learn more about how to keep your body safe in ballet class!
What to wear?
In general, you can wear tight-fitting exercise clothes and socks to class, but you may want to look the part with leotard tights and skirt for ladies, or tights and t-shirt for men and ballet slippers.
Many people think that you must wear pointe shoes right off the bat, but in reality, we start in soft ballet slippers and wear pointe shoes later in our journey. Click here for more information on pointe readiness for adults. (And yes, adults can go en pointe!)
Check out the videos below for all the details on what to wear!
Class and Studio Etiquette
Ballet Class Etiquette has a lot of unspoken rules.
Where to stand at the barre, where to put your water bottle, bag, and any sweaters you might wear for the beginning and take off after warming up. Watch the video below for all the details about what to expect once you get into the studio.
I danced as a child, will I have to start from the beginning?
It depends! Sometimes our body remembers a lot of the movements, but other times (especially if we stopped dancing before age 12), much of it is forgotten. But, in all cases, we’ll need to work back up the ballet strength and flexibility. Returning to ballet as an adult can be an intense experience, bringing up old memories, and sometimes also frustration with our adult body compared with how we remember our youthful body.
Watch the videos below for more about what to expect when you return to ballet.
Get a Jumpstart at Home with Broche Ballet Online
Learn ballet at home with the Broche Ballet Overture Program and On-Demand Library. The Overture Program is an 18-hour program that follows 3 dancers through from their first class all the way to learning the Sugar Plum Fairy dance.
The On-Demand Library takes you even further, with access to the Overture Program AND thousands of videos to learn ballet technique, stretch, and strength follow-alongs, and more.
Whether you have access to a local studio near you or not, practicing at home is an important part of your ballet journey to develop consistent practicing habits and train your body frequently.
The 5 Best Online Ballet Classes of 2022
- Wellness
- Fitness
Our best overall pick is Dancio
By
Daley Quinn
Daley Quinn
Daley Quinn is a freelance beauty, lifestyle, and wellness writer and content strategist. She has penned stories for Allure, Fashionista, Well + Good, Women’s Health, The Cut, WWD, and more.
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Updated on 12/15/22
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Whether you are new to ballet or a seasoned dancer, online ballet classes are a great way to gain experience and have fun. We reviewed the five best online ballet classes for different skill levels so that you can get started right away. Plus, there are plenty of free or low-cost options to make ballet accessible.
Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or trying to get serious about dance, we rounded up the best online ballet classes.
The 5 Best Online Ballet Classes of 2022
- Best Overall: Dancio
- Best Budget: The Ballet Coach
- Best for Basics: MasterClass With Misty Copeland
- Best Professional: American Ballet Theatre
- Best for Cardio Ballet: The Ballet Spot
Best Overall: Dancio
Dancio
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Why We Chose It
Best for those who love ballet, modern, and contemporary dance, Dancio is a great online platform for beginners to advanced dancers.
We chose it because of its extensive library of content, as well as its option for one-on-one instruction.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Mix of ballet, modern, and contemporary
Option for one-on-one or group classes
Instructors are elite dancers
Cons
Live sessions don’t come with a subscription
A la carte classes only available for 48 hours
One-on-one or group instruction can get pricey
Overview
Combining dance and video, Dancio was founded in 2017 by Caitlin Trainor, a choreographer and dancer. Dancio offers not only ballet, but other types including modern and contemporary dance, too. So if you love practicing ballet, but also are looking for other options, Dancio is the one for you.
Offering an online portal with more than 85 pre-recorded dance classes, you can learn from big-name dancers including Julie Kent, Wendy Whelan, Khalia Campbell, and Laura Halzack.
The best part of Dancio, though, is its live classes—the program offers 30- or 60-minute private classes with various instructors. You can opt for a one-on-one lesson or a group course. Private sessions range from roughly $50 to $350.
For unlimited streaming of all classes, Dancio charges a subscription fee of around $20 per month. Otherwise, it will cost about $5 to purchase a class a-la-carte, with 48-hour access for the rental.
Best Budget: The Ballet Coach
The Ballet Coach
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Why We Chose It
The Ballet Coach offers a huge library of free, live classes on her YouTube channel that are accessible to all.
Pros & Cons
Overview
With nearly 25,000 subscribers, Sarah Du-Feu offers free ballet classes on her YouTube channel, The Ballet Coach. From lessons for tiny tots and beginners to intermediate-level dancers, The Ballet Coach truly has something for everyone.
Most of her courses are taught live via YouTube, but are recorded and posted on her page to view for free, whenever you’d like. The classes are usually around 25 to 45 minutes long and range from how to perform basic steps and stretching to ballet barre fitness and sessions for intermediate/adult dancers.
This is a great option for those who want to dip their toes into the world of ballet without spending a dime on learning the steps and techniques. If you’d like to go further into your practice, The Ballet Coach offers a program on her website, where you'll pay around $20 per month (or roughly $200 per year) for access to three different adult live classes per week, as well as regular tutorial videos.
Best for Basics: MasterClass With Misty Copeland
MasterClass with Misty Copeland
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Why We Chose It
For those who are looking to learn more about skill, technique, and form, Misty Copeland’s MasterClass is for you.
We also love that you can learn new moves from one of the world’s best ballerinas.
Pros & Cons
Overview
Misty Copeland’s MasterClass is a 17-part course that focuses on all things ballet, including owning your power, plies, tendus, and so much more. The total class length is an hour and 46 minutes, with each lesson challenging you to perfect your form and technique under the instruction of one of the greatest ballerinas in the world.
This MasterClass is a great option for ballet dancers who are either just starting out or are trying to move up into the intermediate territory. All lessons are pre-recorded, so you will not find any live, one-on-one instruction within this online dance platform. Additionally, the course is more of a way to learn the techniques and skills around ballet, rather than offering a true ballet-inspired workout, such as barre or cardio ballet.
Misty Copeland’s course is part of the MasterClass series. A membership costs around $180, which lasts for a year and gives you unlimited access to all MasterClass series until you cancel.
Best Professional: American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
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Why We Chose It
Not only are you guaranteed quality instructors in every class, but we also love that you can pay per session, rather than a monthly or yearly fee.
Pros & Cons
Cons
No refunds, returns, or exchanges on registrations
Individual class fees might get expensive
Overview
The highly-esteemed American Ballet Theatre (ABT) offers virtual online classes for adults (ages 16 and over).
While you don’t need to be a ballet-pro to take classes from ABT, the company does recommend newbies to the Beginner Ballet classes, so that they can get a basic understanding of ballet vocabulary. The theatre offers three levels of classes, with multiple live streams happening most days during the workweek.
The Beginner Ballet course is 90 minutes long, costs around $15 per class, and is ideal for those who are just getting started in ballet or are trying to relive their past ballerina days. The class focuses on alignment, the foundation of technique, and movement quality.
The Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, which is great for the dancer looking to improve existing skills at home is offered for $15 for 90 minutes. Designed for those with a solid amount of previous ballet training and knowledge of ballet vocab, this class focuses on coordination, movement quality, and technical strength.
Finally, the Body Conditioning for Dancers course is about 45 minutes long and is priced at roughly $10 per session. With this one, it’s all about bodyweight exercises to help you develop lean muscle mass while improving balance, flexibility, and endurance.
Registration opens 14 days before class and closes one hour prior to its start time. Once you’re all signed up, Zoom information will be emailed to registered participants 30 minutes before the class.
Best for Cardio Ballet: The Ballet Spot
The Ballet Spot
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Why We Chose It
The Ballet Spot offers both on-demand and live classes, as well as virtual private ones, too.
These courses are great for the dancer who really loves ballet and only wants to spend their money on this form of dance.
Pros & Cons
Overview
The Ballet Spot offers a wide variety of ballet classes taught by professional instructors, including cardio ballet, total body barre, ballet breathe and flow, ballet sculpt, Broadway ballet, and more.
Lessons with The Ballet Spot are offered through a video-conferencing platform so that the instructor can teach and critique your form along with other members in the class.
Live lessons range from 30 minutes to an hour and cost around $14 per session. You can also purchase live stream class packages—five of them are roughly $60, while 10 cost about $110.
The Ballet Spot also features on-demand lessons, which are priced at around $5 each for a 24-hour rental, or you can purchase unlimited access to more than class recordings (one week unlimited) for about $25 per week.
The Final Verdict
Dancio was chosen as the best overall online ballet class.
It offers a wide variety of classes hosted by seasoned professionals. We also love the different ways to pay for classes, whether that is by choosing an individual class or signing up for a subscription. But picking the best online ballet class really depends on your needs and your skill level. For beginners, The Ballet Coach or Misty Copeland’s MasterClass might be your best bet, while intermediate to advanced dancers might find the American Ballet Theatre's adult courses ideal for learning from the pros. For those looking for more of a workout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do the Best Online Ballet Classes Offer?
The best online ballet classes are available either through livestream, on-demand, or one-on-one instruction, and include anything from classic ballet routines and cardio ballet workouts to instruction on how to improve technique and form.
What Do the Best Online Ballet Classes Offer?
The best online ballet classes are available either through livestream, on-demand, or one-on-one instruction, and include anything from classic ballet routines and cardio ballet workouts to instruction on how to improve technique and form.
Who Should Take Online Ballet Classes?
Whether you’re completely new to ballet or are close to being the next Misty Copeland, anyone and everyone can take ballet classes online, regardless of age or skill level. If you’re looking to lengthen and strengthen your body, rather than focus on raising your heart rate high, ballet might be a good option for you.
How Much Do Online Ballet Classes Typically Cost?
The price of online ballet classes can vary. Some classes are offered free, while others might require a subscription fee to have on-demand access. Memberships range from approximately $15 to $100 per month, with discounts available for longer subscriptions. Most classes offer a free trial or let you download courses for a small fee before committing to a membership.
What Age is Too Late to Join Ballet?
It is never too late to start ballet. It's a type of movement that is beneficial for people of all ages. To gain proficiency in ballet, it might take anywhere from 2-4 years.
It can take anywhere from 8-10 years of consistent practice if you're training to dance professionally.
Is Ballet a Good Way to Lose Weight?
Ballet dancing (or any type of dancing, for that matter), is a wonderful way to lose weight. And not only that, ballet can also help strengthen your core, legs, and arms.
Methodology
We chose the best online ballet classes based on budget, skill, and overall experience. Regardless of which platform you choose from our list, you will be taught by professional instructors who are experienced and can guide you in advancing your ballet skills. We included courses for those who want to try ballet for the first time or wish to become professional dancers.
The 7 Best Online Exercise Classes for Working Out Anywhere
How to learn ballet at home
I must say that ballet lessons are becoming more and more popular. Among the fans of the now fashionable Barre workout (training at the barre), there are many stars, including Madonna and Natalie Portman.
And no wonder. Classical exercises at the barre, which are included in the daily training of ballerinas and ballet dancers, harmoniously develop all the muscles of the body, not allowing them to be pumped over, and also improve balance and flexibility. Other bonuses of such activities are perfect posture, beautiful gait and gestures. Moreover, you will receive them very quickly, in a couple of months. nine0003
If you don't have the opportunity to study with an instructor in a ballet class, hold ballet lessons at home! All you need for them is a chair.
“Choose it according to the height of the back,” advises Andrey Shiporov , an elite dance program trainer at the World Class fitness club chain. “Your palm should rest on it so that the elbow is at waist level and the forearm is parallel to the floor.” In this case, the palm should lie freely on the back, and the shoulders should be on the same line. The machine can also imitate the back of an armchair or sofa, or a window sill of the required height. ” nine0003
Before starting the complex, Andrey Shiporov advises to warm up a little: stretch all the joints, stretch, bend and twist.
Demi-plié
Stand next to a chair with your feet in first position, lean on the back of the chair with one hand, move your free hand to the side. Gently lower yourself into a squat, spreading your knees to the sides, until the position in which the hips and shins make a right angle. Also slowly rise to the starting position. Make sure your heels do not come off the floor. Repeat 1 more time .
Grand plie
Start the squat as before, but after pausing in the demi plie, go down even lower. Make sure your back is straight and your knees are out to the sides. Rise in the same way, through the demi-plié. Repeat 1 more time .
Relevé
Stand next to a chair with your feet in first position. Gently rise on your toes, stretching your body up, and just as slowly lower yourself onto your heels.
Repeat 4 times.
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Tandu Batman
Stand in fifth position, straighten your back. Without lifting your toe off the floor, as if drawing a straight line, bring your right foot forward. Return to the starting position and repeat the leg movement, this time to the side. Stand again in fifth position, but put your working leg behind the supporting one and draw a line across the floor back. Through the starting position, again bring the leg to the side and return to the fifth position. Watch for the eversion of the foot: the toe is extended, the outer part of the foot is tilted to the floor, the inner part looks up, the heel does not touch the floor. Repeat movement 4 times and then do 4 repetitions with the other leg.
Zhete
In this exercise, as in the previous one, the working leg moves in three directions: forward, sideways, back and sideways again. But the sock at the same time comes off the floor every time.
The leg is raised to a position in which it will be about 45 degrees with the other. Having done the whole chain of movements, repeat with the other leg.
Rond
Step your right foot forward without lifting your toe off the floor. Smoothly, drawing a semicircle, move it to the side, and then back. Return to starting position, repeat 6 times from each leg.
Fondue
Lower yourself into a demi-plié, bending your supporting left leg and bringing your right toe to her ankle bone. Extending the supporting leg, stretch the right leg forward. Return to starting position. Repeat the movement, moving the right leg to the side, but after that, lower yourself into a demi-plié, bringing the right foot behind the left shin. Straighten the supporting leg, taking the right back. Move to the side again and return to the starting position. Do exercise 4 times from each leg.
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Half toe jump forward
Stand in fifth position: right foot in front of the left.
Get down in demi-plié and, rising on the half-toes of the supporting left leg, bring the toe of the right leg to the bone of her ankle. Lower your right leg to the toes and return to the starting position. Repeat 6 times on each leg.
Half-toe jump with transition to kudepe back
Perform the same movement, but work with the foot behind the pivot. Repeat 4 times on each leg.
Adagio
Stand in fifth position. Bring your right leg forward, as in a batman tandyu, but then lift it, straight, to parallel with the floor. Return to the fifth position and, through the batman tandyu, raise your leg to the side parallel with the floor. Then do the same movement back, again to the side and return to the starting position. Repeat with the other leg. nine0003
Grand Batman
Stand in fifth position: right foot in front of left. Swing forward with your right foot, being careful not to tilt your body back.
Do the same swing to the side, back, back to the side and repeat the movement with the other leg.
Do each movement of this complex in one approach : at first it is much more important for you to master the correct technique, and not strive for a large number of repetitions. When you feel confident in the movements, you can do all the movements on the second circle, and then on the third. nine0003
Feel like a ballerina!
How to become a ballerina at home? Body Ballet and Tips for Beginners
Ballet is not only a wonderful form of performing art, but also a very worthy hobby. If children's dreams of ballet do not go away after many years, then you should not despair and think about lost time and opportunities. After all, you can always do self-study! How to become a ballerina at home? The answer to this question can be found in this article. nine0003
Professional ballet or ballet at home?
It's worth starting with the fact that it is necessary to study professional ballet in special educational institutions.
If it seems that the question of how to become a ballerina at home implies subsequent professional training, and then getting a real job in the theater, then you will have to be a little disappointed. Why? The fact is that the ballet market is a very competitive place. Ballet is practiced from an early age. Moreover, modern troupes consider only those candidates who fit certain physical parameters. nine0003
However, this does not mean at all that those who have not attended special training since childhood can say goodbye to the dream of ballet forever. After all, the main thing is not only ballet shoes, but also skills and abilities that you can learn on your own. You can dance for your own pleasure, engage in non-professional groups, and even record and upload videos with your own performances for general viewing!
How to become a ballerina at home
Doing ballet on your own means mastering body ballet. What is it? Body ballet is one of the areas of fitness that has appeared relatively recently.
Most of the movements studied repeat classical ballet. However, in this case, they were greatly simplified and adapted for ordinary people (that is, without many years of training). nine0003
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Benefits of body ballet
Body ballet not only helps to become a ballerina at home, as the majority of dancers want, but also has a number of other undeniable advantages.
Here's what you can achieve with regular exercise:
- Weight recovery and weight loss. During training, the pulse of the student jumps up to 100-139beats in 1 min., and it is this mode that starts the process in which excess fats begin to be actively burned.
- You can do muscle strengthening and relief. One of the main advantages of body ballet is that it does not contribute to an increase in muscle mass, while the body of the practitioner is gradually tightened.
Classes are aimed at training all major muscle groups. - Joint strengthening. Very often, body ballet is advised to people who have suffered injuries and are now on their way to restoring physical activity. nine0133
- With regular exercise, breathing and the functioning of the cardiovascular system begin to improve. Along with this, the improvements will also affect the circulatory system, and the tissues will receive an additional supply of oxygen.
- Among the many exercises for ballerinas in body ballet, there are many that emphasize stretching. So the practitioner has every opportunity to improve his flexibility.
- Many ballet fans love this art form for its grace and elegance. After just a few choreography lessons, you can feel the improvement in your own gait and posture, and the desired gracefulness will be traced in all movements. nine0133
Necessary conditions and attributes for practicing at home
Having dealt with the question of how to become a ballerina at home, you can move on to the next question - what is required for this.
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- First of all, this is the availability of free time. Each workout will take at least 1 hour. nine0133
- Secondly, these are comfortable clothes. It is not necessary to run for a tutu, it is enough to have a comfortable tracksuit or any other clothes that do not hinder movement.
- Third, there are shoes. Ballet shoes are for those who know how to use them. For beginners, ordinary Czech shoes or light sports shoes are suitable. It will be possible to switch to pointe shoes after special training.
How to start?
You can do body ballet both independently, at home, and under the supervision of special trainers in a fitness club. If the first option seems much more attractive to you, you should choose special programs for beginners. Usually these are detailed instructions and tips that will help you properly tune in to the right direction and teach you how to avoid the most common mistakes.
