Ballet is a beautiful dance known for its gracefulness, preciseness, and seemingly impossible movements. If you attend ballet classes in Pearland, TX, you will quickly discover the wonder in mastering these breathtaking steps. To someone outside, sitting in the audience, it is only natural to be in a state of wonder about those challenging pirouettes and lengthy jetés. But all ballet dancers from the principal ballerina to the novice all must learn from a shared set of foundational steps.
If you’re considering taking ballet yourself, or you’re a parent looking into classes for your child, you might wonder about which ballet dance moves for beginners are easy to learn. “Easy” is a relative term, of course, but all teachers will confirm that the plié is the foundational movement from which all others derive.
This blog from Chara Dance will teach you what a plié is, why it is so important, and how it is a doorway to a wealth of ballet accessible to all.
The Building Blocks of Ballet
Before learning a particular step, it is useful to understand that ballet is constructed from a limited number of basic positions and movements. Dancers are taught five foot positions, upon which will be based nearly all steps. They are then taught movements such as stretching the foot along the ground (the tendu), standing on the balls of the feet (the relevé), and a small jump (the sauté).
These movements and particular arm positions known as port de bras constitute the vocabulary of common ballet dance moves. Though all steps must be practiced, some are easier to a new student than others.
The Plié: The Ballet Standard-Bearer
The simplest of all of these ballet movements is the plié (plee-ay) meaning “to bend.” It is merely bending of the knees. You will have two versions: a demi-plié (small bend) and a grand plié (deep bend in which your heels will lift off of the floor).
Plié is often covered on day one of training because it is the keystone of all ballet. It is the lead-in to your jumps, ending to turns, and unifying motion from step to step. Understanding how to plié properly instructs a dancer in how to keep their balance, control their movements, and how to move efficiently.
As it is a natural motion, this general principle of bending your knees is something that is easy to learn, so it is an accessible and foundational starting point to any would-be dancer – truly the most fundamental ballet dance move.
Why Ballet is for Everyone
It is a fallacy that one needs a flexible body or a special build to dance ballet. Ballet is a dance that builds strength, a flexible body, and grace by practice. The teaching structure of a ballet class is such that it will cause students to progress at a gradual rate that is gentle on their bodies, starting from a foundational step like a plié to more challenging steps. If you’re curious about beginner dance moves ballet students can expect, rest assured that approachable basics like plié welcome all levels.
Ballet is a beautiful activity that is suitable for all age groups and all abilities. Posture, coordination, and strength will all be improved. With this physical development, ballet even provides discipline, focus, and an appreciation of culture and music. Beginning from a simple motion such as plié enables all to have a feeling of accomplishment along with a connection to dance from their initial class. You’ll soon be learning more dance moves in ballet as you develop with the help of a friendly team at Chara Christian Dance Academy.
Beginning Ballet: An Introductory Class
Although ballet comprises numerous sophisticated steps, the plié is that most basic and approachable point of departure from which any beginner may start. It is the alpha word of ballet speak – a humble bend that is the doorway to all of those leaps, turns, and ethereal movements that make this dance so appealing. By learning this foundational step, new dancers develop that strength and control necessary to venture into the broader realm of ballet.
For those just starting out, a focus on ballet dance moves like the plié makes the process inviting. So if you’ve ever aspired to dance, keep in mind that all great journeys start with a solitary step and in ballet that step is a plié!
