Expert: Jennifer - 6/21/2004

Question
I've just recently gotten interested in ballet but I have no clue where to start. I'm not flexible, I've never danced before or done anything of the sort. I want to try and teach myself because theres no classes around me. Is there anywhere that I can get information, instructions, or pictures of different poses that will help me to learn?

Answer
Olivia -

I'm glad you've become interested in ballet!

Unfortunately, I do not reccomend teaching yourself ballet. Learning the art requires constant supervision by an experienced teacher and commitment by you, the student. I reccomend that if you really want to learn to dance, you attempt to get *somewhere* where you can take dancing lessons. Though you  may have fun learning about ballet at home, it is extremely unlikely that you advance very far technically without any help or experience.

One alternative to ballet classes, though, that I do reccomend is the New York City Ballet's ballet fitness program. They offer a book and 2 ballet-inspired workout videos (available in both VHS and DVD). All three are demonstrated by actual dancers from the New York City Ballet, one of the best ballet companies in the world. Each of the exercises is, or is inspired by, movements actually performed by dancers every day in class. It is *not* meant to be a substitute for actual ballet training, but can help you train your muscles to work and look like a dancer's.

Finally, here are a few other books that can help you to learn about ballet movements.

The Joffrey Ballet School's Ballet-Fit, by Dena Simone Moss
Classical Ballet Technique, by Gretchen Ward Warren
Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet, by Gail Grant

Good luck!