Ballet Class for Beginners

This DVD, while it is a dated (nearly 30 years old) DVD, provides all the basic movements for Ballet. It is too fast to keep stopping, so it is advised that the user watch it several times and repeat key moves if necessary. It is a great reference DVD for ballet moves. The instructor explains every move, how to do it, and a ballerina demonstrates each move, but she does not in most exercises repeat for the other side. At least the user sees a visual example of each move. This DVD is best used with other Ballet Class DVDs or as a supplement to a live Ballet class the user may be taking.

I am an adult beginner taking a ballet class once a week and this video is just what I was looking for. It basically goes through all of the moves we do in class (and more) with some description. It's no typical work out video, but if you get confused in your local class and want some inspiration and a reminder of the moves, it's great! It's a little dated, like you are watching a VHS with lots of grainy video, but the content is worth the price and it's easy to see what the dancer is doing at all times. Again, I am no professional or long-time dancer, but as a beginner, I am very happy with this purchase. There are other videos on the market if you are looking for full workouts. This is like an encyclopedia. It's only 30 minutes long. He talks about use of the head and shoulders and wrists, a lot of little details that I have a hard time picking up in class. The narrator gives a small description before every movement and then discusses it as the video cuts to the dancer.

This is really helping my daughter as the steps are slowly executed so that one can recognize where mistakes might be made. The first part are the basics but that is a great foundation to make sure that the basics are properly conducted. It also helps my 8 year old see where she has already mastered tasks before trying the ones that are trouble spots.

This video very clearly demonstrates positions and how to make a habit of good posture and form. It however is a bit shorter than I would have thought (my own fault for not reading the runtime). This however is not entirely due to lack of content, but rather the fast paced and independent nature of the lesson. It works almost as a video dictionary, demonstrating an exercise and move and expecting you to take the liberty of pausing and repeating as so suits you. Despite what many have claimed, you do not need lots of previous ballet knowledge or experience, this really is for beginners. However, it might require leg strength, flexibility, or postures you are not used to should you never have attended a lesson or been athletic, and thus can seem advanced despite showing beginner moves. These moves are all demonstrated on a barre, and can be done without one, but I recommend a tall chair or stool to act as a barre. Those upset with French terms they are not familiar with should either 1. Stop complaining and learn basic French or 2. Do what most anglophone ballet students due and realize that most of the ballet terms are unique and have no direct translation and thus you should treat it as a new vocabulary word. Plié can be literally translated as "squat used in ballet that involves the feet turned out" but why not just say plié? You bought this DVD to learn, don't be upset because you're too daft to use context clues. Now, passive aggressiveness out of the way, here are the main points 1. This class is meant to be run through again and again. It is short but packed full of information. It has a wonderful and clear demonstration and a beautiful and precise commentary by a lovely teacher. 2. If you believe it is not for beginners and are distraight because you can't reach your leg to your head, understand that these are strength building exercises. Practice again and again until you *can* have the flexibility demonstrated. Don't have the ankle or leg strength? Same principle. Practice, practice, practice. Run through every move starting at the beginning until you can do it to your satisfaction. 3. Don't be afraid to google terms should you feel they are not defined enough. 4. I noticed some people wanting more information, so I will do my best to answer some of the questions others felt left unanswered in this video a) Obviously since this is in the comfort of your home, dress how you like, but traditional ballet attire is (for females) hair pulled into a bun or tight ponytail, or a headband or pins to keep hair out of your face should it be shorter, a leotard and tights and preferred, but any close fitting clothing where muscle movement and form are visible are acceptable (in your home setting) and socks should be fine should you not have ballet shoes. Also, I can't believe I have to say this, but no, please do not practice beginner moves or stretches in en pointe footwear. For males, should your hair be longer, use pins or a headband to keep it out of your face. Black tights and a white t shirt are standard, along with a dance belt and ballet shoes. However, as stated before, any close fitting clothing is acceptable, you don't need a dance belt to practice in the comfort of your home, and socks are a fine substitute. Final thoughts 1. It's a bit dated, but very informative. 2. You need athletic strength but no ballet knowledge to be able to jump into this. 3. This is for absolute beginners. Adults or teens who have passed even just Ballet 1 or more than 5 drop ins will know all of this. It is still good for routine exercises though and refreshers for people who haven't practiced in a while. 4. Very clean demonstrations. 5. If you are angry that it is too difficult or not detailed enough, be grateful you spent $12 on a DVD accessible at any time than $15 on a single drop in session that throws you into it just as hard if not harder than this, or a $300 ballet course just to discover you dislike it.

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I got this tape for myself (I'm 47). I LOVE this tape. It may run a bit long for very young girls, but it's in segments, so the child can always stop at a certain point. I would recommend incorporating stretches if she does, too. Stretching after working a muscle is very important, and of course ballet is all about "length" and grace. The instructor is very sweet, and her "girls" aren't pros, so little girls watching this tape won't feel intimidated or feel they aren't "as good." It gives a good sense of grace without going too crazy on the difficulty level - yes, I'm looking at this from an adult perspective, but, for example, the balances are primarily at the barre and the teacher gives easier options if the child would like. The music is lovely and my 8-year-old son has actually done this with me and loves it! He finds it somewhat challenging but definitely not beyond his reach. Again, can't say how children younger than this age level would be able to handle things, but with modifications it should all work out, and the teacher does give explanations and moves fairly slowly, but doesn't let things drag or get boring. If I had a little girl or a niece who wanted to dance, this is definitely the tape I'd be getting her.

I really like the video. The music and the step by step approach to learning ballet was great. Yes, it is geared towards a younger audience, but still very useful for any adult wanting to try ballet. Even if it is late in life.

I like to dance. I wanted to take up a hobby but there are no classes given late at night when the kids are sleeping so I decided to try out this DVD. The video has two main rolls. The dancer and the instructor. The instructor tells the audience what is about to happen while the dancer demonstrates. The steps are very simple and easy to follow but I have many issues with the overall DVD. First of all when dancing, it is very important to remember when you do no one side, you have to do on the next. Instead of demonstrating both sides, this DVD does one side and says to do the other. How am I supposed to to the other side, if you are already up to the next step. I have to keep pausing to get it right. I also found that for a beginner, they included some difficult steps. I have taken beginner ballet class as a child so I was familiar with some of the steps but this DVD went into some more advanced steps that were not good for the at home beginner. The only part of this DVD that really suited the at home dancer was the jumping and spinning. The instructor really broke this down well and made it easy to understand. Overall I would not suggest you invest in this DVD. I love ballet and there are a lot better options on the market.

I like this video. It moves fast but as long as you can pause it from time to time you will see that you can learn from it and it can help you grow as a ballerina. I'm not a dancer, so this video is a great introduction to ballet and is also a good workout. Great to do after yoga to help make your legs lean.

This is an excellent instructional dvd. It tells you all the correct names and shows you a fair bit without being patronising or focusing on breathing for 10 minutes like other videos. It is a little hard but therefore you get your money's worth you can watch it many times without getting bored. Very Small negative points On the video, the exercises are named one step ahead of the exercise. The dancer doesn't put her heels together in first, they are a good inch or two apart with her right leg slightly infront, but I don't know why because she has not got massive muscley legs. David points it out to put your heels together at the exact time that she doesn't! He doesn't explain terms like en dehors, en devant and en croix until later on in the video and some he doesn't explain at all. The video is quite hard, but that is why it is good, you can pick it up after watching it lots. However, you may never actually learn what these terms mean. On the battement glissé she doesn't go into demi plie straight away, she pauses and transfers her weight making it a bit awkward with the timing. When it gets to the centre work plie is spelt plier! She is a bit wobbly when she relevés He always looks sideways with his eyes!!! haha On the spotting he says 'notice how the head is working in opposition to the body, she is turning to the right'. This does NOT mean that the head turns to the left!!! haha, that would be impossible, the head just focuses on one spot for as long as possible and then whips round. It might just be my computer, but I can't skip to the middle if a chapter. Positive points Grand battement is exactly the same as intermediate r.a.d. ballet. Many of these exercises stay the same throughout and are still used by professionals. The centre work is amazing, this is usually lacking instructional videos. It is easy too follow. You can see her entire body and feet clearly. There is so much to learn, you really get lots for your money and the video will last a long time. It can even be used as a practise video once you are better to learn the correct names and as many of the barre exercises don't change. Buy it if you actually want a challenge and want to learn more than the first few lessons of ballet! The centre work IS hard but you can watch it as many times as you want!

Está muy bien para empezar y si tienes tiempo sin hacer ejercicio también sirve mucho, 40 minutos de ejercicio me parecen bien para empezar. Antes de iniciar cualquier rutina consulte a su mf

La única pega es el idioma, es una pena que no haya dvds de este tipo en español. Por lo demás, muy bien explicado, ameno y fácil de seguir.

このビデオの内容は、基本的なバーレッスンです。 その上、ニューヨークシティーバレーには、１０分しかついていけなかった、私でも、９割がたついていけました。 このビデオの内容は、わたしが一ヶ月通った読○カルチャーの初級バレーとほとんど一緒だったので、日曜日に行かなければならなかったこともありそのカルチャーはやめました。 それほど、このビデオは成人初心者向きです。 ピアノ伴奏も古典的バレー教室をほうふつとさせ、男性講師がすこし女性的なしぐさなのも、業界？を、感じさせます。 わたしは、バーの変わりに、動きづらいイスの背もたれに手を添えています。唯一、お知らせしたいことは、４０分間右足がほとんどですので、 運動の回数を自分で減らして、途中で左足に変えるか、わたしは、一日おきに、右、左を、交代して、練習しています。 ４０分間なので、右左二回テープを繰り返すと８０分になり、かなりの体力が、必要だと思います。 ともかく、これから、バレーをはじめようと思う、中高年女性には、 とてもお奨めのビデオです。 カルチャーを申し込む前に見てもいいと思います。

Très satisfaite du produit, ce dvd reprend les principales bases de la danse classique. Très clair, et élégant. Pour les enfants et adultes. Pour répétition à domicile, etc. En english.