Q&A for How to Do Ballet at Home

It's really important that you always warm up before you dance. I recommend doing demi plies, to the ground plies, and also warming up your hips. Try a hip swing, which involves standing on one foot and just swinging the other leg forward and back. I recommend really concentrating on warming up your hips.

The first of the five basic positions is called first position. This position involves the dancer standing with their feet together so their heels are touching. When in this position, your arms should be positioned at your waist, approximately at the height of your waistband with your hands apart by about the length of your face.

You can start at any age. Lessons are not vital, but are useful and if, you are able to, you should take them. To become flexible, make sure to stretch every day.

Any style that will keep your hair out of your face while you train will do. A ballet bun is best, however.

There aren't any specific stretches, but it's always a good idea to stretch out the muscles in your lower extremities (legs, hips, back) before doing ballet.

The younger the better, but anyone can dance ballet. It's like learning a language. When you are younger, it's easier.

If you have a carpet, socks are much better than ballet shoes. However, ballet shoes are recommended on hard floors, as socks are very slippery and will not offer you the right support. For example, if you are trying to balance on one leg and you wobble, you will be more likely to fall.

It is possible to start at any age, but becoming professional involves extremely hard work and and practice.

Casual ballet can be done by people of all body shapes. Weight will only have an impact when you're doing pas de deux (dancing with another person) or auditioning for a role in a production.

Yes, you can do ballet without being able to do them, although you should probably work on getting more flexible.

Descriptions and pictures for first, second, third, fourth and fifth position can be found in this article about ballet dancing on wikiHow.

It is not a very good idea because it could give you rug burns, and it prevents you from doing some things, such as turns.

If your teacher has put you on pointe, it means she knows that you are ready. If you are ready there is no need to be afraid. She wouldn't have put you on pointe if she thought there was a risk of you injuring yourself. It's ok and normal to be nervous when you start, but just don't try anything too difficult and you will be fine.

Teach yourself. Use YouTube videos and celebrities as influences. There is no age limit to dancing whatsoever, so break the rules!

The only way to know is to try and give it your best shot. It is absolutely possible.

Sure. You can start at any age.

Try Fitivity's ballet training app. It is very detailed and has all levels. The first few levels are free and then you need to pay, but it is very cheap to unlock all twelve levels.

You should wear a leotard, tights, and ballet shoes. You should also put your hair up in a bun. If you're part of a team or studio group, they should have specific outfit requirements outlined for you.

You should keep off pointe, but most positions should not do you any harm. If you get any sort of pain, cease whatever you're doing. If the pain continues, speak to your doctor about your options.

Of course! Practice at home and look up videos and articles to practice and learn all that you can.

No, but doing them would be a good idea, especially before you begin practicing. If you don't warm up properly, you could hurt yourself.

You can get ballet shoes at dance stores, where you can also get a professional fitting. You could also order multiple sizes from online dance stores and return the incorrect size, but going in person is always best.

It is best to get good instruction from a professional, but it's possible. Most principle dancers have been professionally and correctly trained.

Yes, you can definitely begin practicing ballet, but you should work on your flexibility, too.

If you are being trained by someone professional, always follow the dress code. It is not a requirement if you are at home; just wear some lightweight clothing.

Yes, you don't need to have a certain set of qualifications to purchase a pair of ballet shoes.

Start by going into a lunge. Every day, hold it for a minute and try to push your legs farther and farther down into the floor.

Shoes are best, but don't go en pointe till you are properly trained. A class will require shoes, but for general training and practicing at home, you can just be barefoot.

No, it is not safe. You could seriously injure yourself, either by falling or overdoing it. Going on pointe is not as easy as it looks. Seek a professional to help you learn.

No. You should not dance pointe without any ballet training. Make sure when you do go on pointe that you have a trained dance teacher with you. Pointe is very serious and can cause a lot of injuries if not done in the correct way.