10 Foundational Ballet Steps for Beginners

Are you captivated by the artistry and elegance of ballet? The world of ballet is a symphony of grace, precision, and athleticism that has enchanted audiences for centuries. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a beginner looking to embark on a journey of self-expression through movement, mastering the foundational ballet steps is essential. In this guide, we'll explore 10 basic ballet steps that serve as the building blocks for a strong dance foundation.

1. Plié

Plié, meaning to bend, is one of the most foundational movements of ballet and dance. It involves bending and straightening the knees. This step helps warm up the body, improve flexibility, and build leg strength, setting the stage for more intricate movements.

2. Tendu

Tendu, meaning to stretch, is an extension of the leg along the floor. A tendu for beginners usually starts in first position. Dancers should imagine that they’re trying to keep a piece of paper or cloth underneath the ball of their foot as they extend their leg from first position. The extension happens without a bend of the leg and goes in the progression of heel up, ball up, then toes pointed. As the dancer moves the leg back to first position, it goes in the progression of toes down, ball down, then heel down.

3. Dégagé

Dégagé, meaning to disengage, is similar to a tendu. It involves the same extension as a tendu but as the dancer builds tension between their foot and the floor, the foot comes slightly off the ground at the end with a pointed toe. It challenges dancers to control their movements while maintaining proper alignment.

4. Rond de Jambe à Terre

Rond de Jambe à Terre, meaning around the leg on the ground, focuses on circular movements of the working leg. The working leg should hit the front tendu position, then side, then back, before returning through first position and starting the circular motion again. Hips need to stay still during this movement and dancers must be pulled up out of their supporting leg to create enough space for the working leg to move. Rond de Jambe à Terre enhances hip flexibility and teaches dancers how to maintain stability and control while moving.

5. Développé

Développé, meaning to develop, is a step that showcases the height of a dancer's leg extension. Dancers bring their working leg through a turned out passé and extend it outwards. It requires balance, flexibility, and control as the leg unfolds from a bent position to a straight one.

6. Arabesque

Arabesque involves balancing on one leg while extending the other leg straight behind the body, the derrière position. A dancer’s upper body must stay upright in order for the pose to be performed correctly. You can work on increasing the height of the lifted leg throughout years of training. You should never sacrifice the upright position of the upper body for the height of the back leg. This pose demands strong core muscles and exceptional balance.

7. Grand Battement

A grand battement, meaning big beat, is a powerful movement where the working leg is lifted to its highest point, emphasizing strength and flexibility. Tendu and dégagé helps dancers work towards grand battement. Essentially, it is a graceful yet dynamic kick of the leg up and back down. Dancers must learn how to execute this step in a controlled manner.

8. Chassé

Chasse, meaning to chase, is a traveling step where one foot chases the other, creating a seamless gliding motion. It teaches dancers how to shift their weight and transition smoothly across the floor. Chassé can also be used as a preparation step for jeté.

9. Jeté

Jeté, meaning to throw, is a leap where a dancer takes off on one foot and lands on one foot. A motion similar to leaping over a puddle of water or small creek. Jeté, which can be performed with or without a développé of the leading leg, results in a graceful and dynamic airborne movement. It showcases a dancer's ability to combine strength, control, and artistry.

10. Relevé

Releve involves rising onto the balls of the feet from a demi-plié position. It's a fundamental movement for building calf strength and practicing balance.

Join Our Ballet Classes in Graz, Austria!

Ready to take your passion for ballet to the next level? At Foundations Dance Collective in Graz, Austria, we offer weekly ballet classes that cater to dancers of all skill levels. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping you master these 10 basic ballet steps while fostering creativity, discipline, and self-confidence.

Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the fundamentals or an experienced dancer looking to refine your technique, our classes provide a supportive and nurturing environment to help you achieve your dance goals.