The practice
Tips & Resources
Everything here has been tested at the barre first. No secrets, no shortcuts — just the habits, books and small rituals that genuinely help.
Barre notes
Habits that quietly change everything
Arrive early, warm up slowly
Ten unhurried minutes before class — gentle mobilisation, ankles, hips, breath — does more for your dancing than any heroic stretch afterwards.
Consistency beats intensity
Two calm classes every week will take you further than one punishing month followed by burnout. Ballet rewards the long game, always.
Write corrections down
A note made within an hour of class becomes technique; a note never made becomes the same correction next week. Keep a small book in your bag.
Befriend the mirror, don’t marry it
Use the mirror to check lines, then practise facing away from it. Dancing must live in the body, not in the reflection.
Rest is training
Sleep and easy days are when the body actually absorbs the work. Treat rest with the same respect you give rehearsal.
Celebrate small wins
The first clean double, the balance that held one breath longer — mark them. Progress in ballet is made of moments this size.
Grace’s shelf
Worth your evenings
Books and films that deepened my love for this art form — start anywhere.
Book · historyApollo’s Angels — Jennifer Homans
The definitive history of ballet, written by a former dancer. Long, beautiful, and worth every page — you’ll never watch class the same way again.
Book · practicalThe Ballet Companion — Eliza Gaynor Minden
The book I hand to every new adult dancer: technique, etiquette, shoes, history — clearly explained and gorgeously illustrated.
Book · techniqueBasic Principles of Classical Ballet — Agrippina Vaganova
A slim classic from the founder of the Vaganova method. Dense, precise, and quietly thrilling once the terminology clicks.
Film · classicThe Red Shoes (1948)
Still the most beautiful film ever made about dance and devotion. Watch it on the biggest screen you can find.
Film · documentaryBallet 422 (2014)
A quiet, fly-on-the-wall look at a new ballet being made at New York City Ballet. The unglamorous, fascinating truth of the process.
Film · documentaryA Ballerina’s Tale (2015)
Misty Copeland’s journey through injury and history-making. Equal parts honest and inspiring.
Questions I’m asked
Honest answers
Am I too old to start ballet?
No — and I mean that structurally, not sentimentally. Adult beginners’ classes exist in almost every city precisely because so many people start (or restart) in their twenties, thirties, fifties and beyond. You won’t be training for a company career, but the technique, the music and the joy are fully available to you at any age.
What should I wear to a first class?
Anything close-fitting you can move in — leggings and a fitted top are perfect. Ballet shoes are ideal, but for a very first class most teachers are happy with socks or bare feet. Comfort and courage matter more than kit.
How often should I take class?
Whatever you can sustain for months, not weeks. One class a week builds a real foundation; two is where most adults feel momentum. Add slowly, and let your body cast the deciding vote.
When can I start pointe work?
Only when a teacher who knows your dancing says so — pointe readiness is about ankle and core strength and consistent training, not time served or enthusiasm. It’s one decision that should never be made alone or rushed; your future feet will thank you.
A gentle note: I’m a dancer sharing what works for me, not a medical professional. For injuries, pain or health questions, please see a qualified physiotherapist or doctor — dancers’ bodies deserve expert care.