Discover · The Cover Story
Ballet Mime Explained: The Silent Language
Ballet mime explained for beginners: the traditional gestures in story ballets like I love you and marry me, why it matters, and examples from Swan Lake.
Read the storyBallet Structure: Acts and the Pas de Deux
How a full length ballet is built: acts, the grand pas de deux structure (entree, adagio, variations, coda), and the difference between corps and principals.
Ballet Variations Explained: What Is a Solo?
Ballet variations explained for beginners: what a variation is, where solos come from in full length ballets, and why they rule competitions and auditions.
Ballet vs Contemporary Dance: The Differences
Ballet vs contemporary dance: how they differ in technique, shoes, rules, and feel, where they overlap, and why so many dancers happily do both.
Find your footing
Four ways in
Discover
The art, history, companies, and culture of ballet.
Ballet Mime Explained: The Silent Language
Ballet mime explained for beginners: the traditional gestures in story ballets like I love you and marry me, why it matters, and examples from Swan Lake.
Ballet Structure: Acts and the Pas de Deux
How a full length ballet is built: acts, the grand pas de deux structure (entree, adagio, variations, coda), and the difference between corps and principals.
Ballet Variations Explained: What Is a Solo?
Ballet variations explained for beginners: what a variation is, where solos come from in full length ballets, and why they rule competitions and auditions.
Pointe-rs
Everything pointe, fitting, care, and going up on your toes.
The History of Pointe Shoes, Explained
From the Romantic era to modern brands, here is the history of pointe shoes: how dancers first rose onto their toes and how the shoe evolved.
Ballet Shoe Sizing: How They Should Fit
Soft ballet slippers should fit snug like a glove, not roomy. How to size them, why dance size differs from street size, and the grow-into-it myth.
Pre-Pointe: Are You Ready? A Checklist
Wondering if you're ready for pointe shoes? Here's what teachers actually look for, how a pointe assessment works, and why it's never a solo decision.
Injury Prevention
Stay strong, dance longer, and protect the body.
Common Ballet Injuries and How to Prevent Them
A calm, plain-English guide to the most common ballet injuries, where they come from, and the everyday habits that help dancers stay healthy and keep dancing.
Injury Prevention for Ballet Dancers: Essential Tips for Strength and Longevity
Ballet is a physically demanding art form that requires incredible strength, flexibility, and endurance.
Lisfranc Injury Overtime
The last thing you want as a dancer is any sort of damage to your feet. Your feet are pretty much essential, so it’s important to prevent foot injuries, like a Lisfranc injury at all cost.
The Archive
More from Raising the Barre
Best Ballet Flooring for Home Practice
The best ballet flooring for home practice keeps dancers safe. Here is why hard floors are risky and how sprung floors and portable marley help.
Do You Need a Certain Body for Ballet?
Do you need a certain body type for ballet? An honest, supportive look at the myths, the realities, and why health comes first for every dancer.
Famous Ballet Choreographers: A Starter Guide
Meet the famous ballet choreographers who shaped the art form, from Petipa and Balanchine to Ashton, MacMillan, Robbins, and today's boldest names.
Greatest Ballet Dancers in History: The Icons
A friendly tour of the greatest ballet dancers in history, from Pavlova and Nijinsky to Fonteyn, Nureyev, Baryshnikov, Plisetskaya, and modern legends.
Home Ballet Barre Buying Guide for Dancers
A practical home ballet barre buying guide: portable, wall-mounted, and freestanding options, plus height, material, and when a sturdy chair is enough.
How to Choose a Ballet Studio for Your Child
A parent-friendly guide to choosing a ballet studio for your child: what to look for in teachers, safety, class sizes, cost, and the red flags to avoid.