Fun Beginning Adult Ballet Exercises

Ballet may seem too serious, what with the tight buns and tight turns, but you may be surprised at how fun it can be. Ballet has both fast-paced moves, like turns and jumps, as well as graceful ones, like beautiful arm extensions. This integrated balance of styles can help you feel empowered, graceful and even playful because there is something for everyone in ballet. Try a few of these steps to dip your toes in then head to the barre at class for an exercise experience that will leave you toned and tuned in to fun.

  1. Barre Work

    • All ballet classes you usually begin with slow exercises at the barre to warm up the major muscle groups. While important, these exercises -- like pliés, where you bend and straighten your legs over and over -- aren't always the most fun. For a barre exercise that will leave you smiling, try a pique. To pique, which means ‘to prick,’ straighten one leg, lift it off the floor a few inches and quickly tap your pointed toes on the floor. Imagine the ground is a tightly-stretched trampoline that throws your leg back at you. Piques require you to balance on one leg since the other leg is working, so make sure to do them holding onto a chair or at a barre so you don't fall over. Piques can be done to the front, side or back, with several in a row.

    Port de Bras

    • Part of the beauty of ballet lies in the beautiful arm movements that look easy but take practice. Port de Bras, meaning carriage of the arms, gives you arm strength through grace. While there are different types of Port de Bras depending on which school of ballet you subscribe to, a simple way to start is to hold your arms in a low oval like you are holding a baby, but down by your thighs. Then, move your arms up so they are in an oval over your head. Next, open them out to the sides and then back to the low oval. Each time you move your arms, infuse the motion with energy instead of letting your arms sag. Think of your arms as paint brushes and Port de Bras exercises are your art lessons -- just have fun with moving your arms gracefully around and see what happens.

    Turns

    • Twirling and turning are quintessential dance moves that dancers of all ages seem to love. While it was enough to just fling your arms out and spin as a kid, adults, even beginners, can handle more technique. Chaîné turns are a good place to start as they can be done on the balls of the feet or flatfooted if balance is an issue. To chaîné, think of a chain of half turns -- hence the name, which literally means ‘chain’ in French. Face the mirror with your legs hips-width apart, toes turned out and arms open to the sides like you are ready to give someone a hug. Pick up one foot and whip around to face the back. Close your hands together, making your arms a circle in front of your torso and put your feet together. From here, pick up the other foot and turn back to the front to find your starting position again. Continue turning as you create your beautiful chain.

    Jumps

    • If a show of power is more your idea of fun than revolving around yourself, ballet offers many jumps for beginners. Some jumps travel horizontally while others stay in place, but the focus is usually on getting as much air time as you can. Start with the simplest jump -- a sauté. Begin with your heels together, toes apart -- your feet should look like the letter V -- and bend your knees over your toes in a plié. The plié, which you know you are doing right when the space between your legs looks like a diamond, turns your legs into a coiled spring. Uncoil the spring by pushing yourself off the floor, legs straight and toes pointing down. After you have gotten at least two inches off the floor, land in a plié to protect your knees.