Flat-

The first way to warm up your legs in feet, is in flat shoes.  These shoes are either a thin soft leather or a canvas material.  You normally use them for barre, warm-up, and jumps to roll and work through your feet.  Young children, beginners, and men were these type of shoes until their bones are strong enough for pointe shoes.

Pointe-

Pointe work is for the more advanced students.  Most young girls begin pointe around the age of twelve or thirteen.  Pointe builds up strong ankles and toes.  They are made out of compressed paper and burlap to make them hard like wood.  The shoe is then covered in satin.  Pointe shoes also have to have ribbons and elastics sewn onto them, so they don’t fall off.  A pair of pointe shoes can last any where from days to a month.  These shoes are made to help dancers balance longer and make turning easier and more graceful.  Only women were pointe shoes, but men stay in flat shoes.

Stretching/Warm-up-

Stretching is the most important thing to do before taking a class.  If you don’t stretch you are risking an injury.  Stretching also allows your body to become more flexible in extensions and the way you move.  Warm-up is a short barre to get your legs and feet working and “warm” before a rehearsal or performance.

Barre-

The barre is the first thing you do in a class.  It is used to warm up your feet and legs.  It is also the basics of every class.  Barre can last any where from a quick warm-up (15 minutes) to a long technique class (over an hour).  A basic barre focuses on turn-out, balance, and your feet and legs.

Center-

Center follows the barre with jumps, turns, adagio, tendus, and other barre work.  Now that the barre is gone you must have incredible balance.  The center prepares you for performances on stage.  Its main purpose is to focus on your presentation.

Basic Feet Positions-

The positions in a ballet technique class are the most important thing to hit.  You first begin mastering them at the barrel then move into the center.

First Position-

In first position your heels are touching and you are using your turn-out from your hips to push your toes outward.  Do not over turn-out in any position, it can cause serious injury to your feet, toes, knees, and hips.

Second Position-

Second position is similar to first you keep your feet on the same line, but further apart.  The space between your two feet should be about one length of your foot.

Third Position-

Cross your front foot half-way in front of the other ones.  Weight should be on the ball of your feet and distributed evenly on both legs.

Fourth Position-

This position can be danced two ways, crossed or opened.  For a crossed position place one foot exactly in front of the other with a space about one foot between them.  For an open position uncross your legs putting your heals in line, but keeping the turn-out and then length between your feet.  A turning fourth position is generally much bigger, but is still crossed.

Fifth Position-

Fifth Position is the most complex position so far.  You will only study this step when your legs and feet have become strong enough to hold all the other positions correctly.  You stand with your feet fully crossed and touching each other firmly.  You must have a great deal of turn out to hold this position.

B-plus-

This step you will see before and after a performance, variation, or classical combination.  You stand firmly on a fully turned out leg and you cross your other leg behind it.  The back leg is bent at the knee and crossed.  No weight is to be on the back leg only the front.