Welcome!
Ballet is a wonderful activity to undertake as an adult. It has an extraordinary curriculum built on decades of refinement. Learning the step names and understanding their purpose is key to developing proper technique and improving over time.
Ballet will give you incredible awareness of your body—muscles you didn’t even know you had! It works on both strength and flexibility in ways that benefit your posture, body alignment, and overall well-being.
Ballet terminology is universally in French, so no matter where you take class, the steps will have the same name.
Let’s get started!
Correct posture is the foundation of ballet and requires concentration and skill. Think of length and balance:
Feet are turned out from the hips, with knees touching.
A plié is a knee bend and a fundamental building block for strength and flexibility.
How to do it: Pull up through the spine, press the heels into the floor, release the knees outward as you lower, then push through the heels to return to straight legs.
The most important building block in ballet. Most movement passes through a variation of tendu.
Note: Beginners start from first position to build strength and understand turnout before progressing to fifth position. is a fundamental movement where the foot slides along the floor to a fully pointed position, stretching the leg and foot, before closing back to the starting position, with no weight on the extended foot. It is a crucial exercise for warming up, strengthening the feet and legs, and developing proper turnout and lines.
Example: tendu to the side (à la seconde)
Similar to a tendu but performed dynamically. The working leg slides out along the floor and lifts to about 25–45°, then returns quickly to the starting position with toes touching the floor first. There are many types of jetés. The ones here is the main jeté which is practised at the barre.
Example below: Jeté to the side (à la seconde) illustration by A Ballet Education
Similar to a tendu but performed dynamically. The working leg slides out along the floor and lifts to about 25–45°, then returns quickly to the starting position with toes touching the floor first. There are many types of jetés. The ones here is the main jeté which is practised at the barre.
Example below: Jeté to the side (à la seconde) illustration by A Ballet Education
A complete beginner ballet course designed for adults with no dance experience. Includes 16 recorded Zoom classes plus a warm-up video. Learn the five feet and arm positions, correct posture, turnout, and classic movements like plié, tendu, jeté, and développé. Gentle, detailed, and perfect for learning ballet at home.
These videos are designed for our students to review and practice.
June 2025 Student Showcase
My favourite time of the year—when friendships shine, excitement fills the air, and the joy of dancing brings us all together. I’m so proud of each and every one of my students. ¡Olé!
Photos by ©Carl Willis
I’m so proud of my students! In June 2025, we held our very first Adult Ballet Student Showcase. Ballet Beyond by Osende Dance Arts. Photos © Paul Dunphy
Find the perfect ballet slippers in Halifax! Explore local and online options, learn the differences between full and split soles, leather vs. canvas, and tips for beginners. Start your ballet journey today
Discover the Magic of Ballet: Unleash Your Inner Dancer! In-person and On-Demand Ballet for Adults
