londonballetclasses

londonballetclasses London Ballet Classes help adults access the benefits of dance and movement, no matter their age or experience.

We are passionate about making ballet more accessible, inclusive and fun! We provide dance lessons and workshops for everyone, from complete beginners through to advanced. Since our launch in 2018, we have introduced thousands of adults to ballet for the first time, and a whopping 92% of first timers choose to return - so you are in very good hands. If you have always wanted to learn but have neve

r had the chance, or are keen to get back into the swing of things, it really is never too late :)

We aim to transform your experience of ballet, maximising your fun and your progression. As well as enhancing your technique and skill, all of our classes and workshops are designed to develop your artistry, musicality and individual style. We believe ballet is to be loved and enjoyed, not just mastered. This is our philosophy and something that underpins all we do. Dancers are born at the important intersection between challenge and passion, and our classes are the perfect combination of both! Drop-in adult classes that really nurture and support you in the same way as children’s classes or pre-professional training programmes are rare; but it is our mission to change that. Our Sunday classes are specifically focused on introducing adults to professional repertoire taken from the most iconic classical ballets, instilling a deep appreciation for ballet as an art form, not just a sport! We work on one variation for several weeks, with an optional 'Solo or Performance Week' at the end. This provides students with the time and support to better understand and execute movements, expressively and effectively and work towards performances. Repertoire focused lessons enable Intermediate and Advanced students to challenge themselves but it is an equally fantastic opportunity for beginners too! Our Beginner classes teach simplified versions of classical choreography, which is a great way to develop a strong and meaningful foundation for your future ballet practice. This approach establishes a strong understanding of ballet terminology as well as better coordination and muscle memory. But most importantly; musicality, stage presence and performance quality are integrated into our teaching model from the beginning; staying true to dance as a beautiful instrument of storytelling and connection. We complement our Sunday repertoire lessons with general drop-in lessons focused on form and technique - in the studio and online. Depending on the level, this will either help Beginners establish a solid foundation for their ballet practice or help intermediate students work on steps and sequences which will aid in the execution of challenging choreography or variations over time. Our studio drop-in classes take place on Wednesdays and have a focal area every month, targeting specific areas; ranging from turnout, extensions, jumps, turns, flexibility and coordination. We know many of our students have worked up to an Intermediate level as adults or are returning to ballet after a long break; so we want to ensure that your ballet journey is sustainable. Our technique classes break down and help you understand how to execute movements functionally, effectively and in such a way that you minimise risk and injury. Our classes centre on giving individual corrections, feedback and support to maximise individual progression and support students in transitioning to the next level. In addition to our classes, we also deliver an annual series of workshops and events alongside virtual and in person intensives. We regularly partner with high profile dance professionals from ballet companies as our guest teachers and artists. Whatever you are looking for we have something for you! All of our work is centred around championing diversity, inclusivity and joy. We are building a supportive and encouraging community, and our classes always feel like a big family get together. They are full of us clapping for one another, cheering each other on and celebrating our wins. We know it might feel intimidating to join your first class, but we promise you won't regret it! Don't miss out on all the fun we are having - come and join us :)

Rond de jambe trains the circular motion of the working leg while stabilising the pelvis and maintaining turnout from th...
12/08/2026

Rond de jambe trains the circular motion of the working leg while stabilising the pelvis and maintaining turnout from the hip. At the barre, the aim isn’t simply to “draw a circle,” but to pass through each position with clarity and control, keeping the hips square and both legs fully engaged.

We articulate through devant, à la seconde, and derrière, constantly refining weight placement over the supporting leg while the working leg stays lengthened and alive. The movement should flow cleanly through first position each time, without any collapse in turnout or loss of energy.

🧠 Things to focus on during this exercise:

- Initiate the circular pathway from the hip rather than the lower leg

- Maintain turnout dynamically through the movement, not just in static positions

-Transition cleanly through each position, especially first and second as the leg traces its semi-circle

-Coordinate the circular action of the leg with a stable spine and pelvis, allowing for fluid and elegant movement

This coordination directly prepares us for centre work, for example movements such as renversé, which combines a circular leg action with an upper body spiral, and pas de basque, which uses a similar floor pathway to help us change direction. Even fouetté turns rely on a rond de jambe pathway to generate rotation and momentum. As you progress into Intermediate repertoire, you’ll notice just how often this fundamental pattern appears.

This exercise at the barre also develops proprioception and dynamic stability, teaching us how to keep one part of the body grounded while another moves freely through space. Without this ability, many centre movements can feel disconnected or unstable. We learn to separate the moving leg from a steady torso, an essential skill for travelling phrases and turns.

📸 edit and slides by S H A R O N

07/08/2026

Follow Along Friday 🙌🏾

Throwback to this lovely barre exercise taught by in our Tuesday Improvers Ballet class, 6.30 - 8pm ❤️

🍂 Our Autumn Term is now open for booking! 🎉Join us this September for another term of adult ballet classes in London, w...
05/08/2026

🍂 Our Autumn Term is now open for booking! 🎉

Join us this September for another term of adult ballet classes in London, whether you’re taking your very first lesson or refining advanced technique.

Our classes are designed specifically for adults, with a supportive, inclusive approach that combines strong technical foundations with thoughtful, anatomy-informed teaching.

This term’s programme includes:

🩰 Absolute Beginners, Absolute Beginners Level 2 & Beginners Technique
🩰 Improvers Ballet & Inter/Advanced Technique
🩰 Beginner & Intermediate Pointe
🩰 Beginner & Inter/Advanced Variations

This term’s Variations programme has been guided by your suggestions and features choreography inspired by The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia and The Nutcracker. There are optional end-of-month performances for those who’d like the opportunity to perform within class.

📍Classes take place at The Place (King’s Cross) and WAC Arts (Belsize Park) from 6 September – 10 December 2026 (dates vary by class, with no classes during our half-term, 26 Oct - 1 Nov).

Whether you’re returning after the summer or joining us for the first time, we’d love to welcome you into the studio 🫶🏾

Book your place via the link in our bio. Both term packages and drop-ins available ❤️

✨ We can’t wait to dance with you this autumn!

⭐️ Announcing our August Variation of the Month ⭐️We’ll be learning Flora’s Variation from The Awakening of Flora, a bri...
22/07/2026

⭐️ Announcing our August Variation of the Month ⭐️

We’ll be learning Flora’s Variation from The Awakening of Flora, a bright, delicate solo filled with discovery, youthful playfulness and blossoming confidence 🌸

📍 Sundays at The Place, King’s Cross
2, 9, 16 and 23 August 2026

5–6.30pm: Intermediate/Advanced
We teach the original choreography.

6.30–8pm: Beginners/Improvers
We teach a simplified version that captures its essence and style.

🌟 Week 4, Sunday 23 August, is an optional performance day. A chance to set yourself the goal of performing the variation, either solo or in a small group 😍

About this variation:

Flora is the goddess of flowers, and this variation captures her awakening as winter gives way to warmth, light and renewed life. Light, delicate and playfully youthful, the choreography should feel soft and radiant rather than forced or fragile.

Each gesture unfolds with ease, as though Flora is gradually opening into the world around her. The arms, épaulement and musical phrasing carry a sense of curiosity and blossoming confidence, calling for precision and classical clarity alongside freshness, warmth and wonder.

This month, we’ll focus on expressive épaulement, delicate footwork and coordination of the upper and lower body. We’ll explore how to make our port de bras feel alive, move through transitions without losing lightness, and use musicality and dynamics to suggest Flora’s journey from stillness into joyful awakening.

Swipe to the end to see Maria Khoreva perform this variation ✨

Use the link in our bio to sign up — click Sunday 2 August on the calendar to book Week 1! 😍

Our Thursday evening Technique classes support our Variation classes. Each month, we select focal steps inspired by the variation and break them down in an open-class format, with separate Intermediate/Advanced and Beginner levels.

Our Intermediate Pointe class also supports each month’s variation, focusing on key components that feature in the routine.

📸 photo of the beautiful Evgenia Obraztsova, and video featuring the exquisite Maria Khoreva ❤️❤️

Jetés at the barre (also called dégagés or glissades) teach beginners how to execute a sharp, controlled brush off the f...
16/07/2026

Jetés at the barre (also called dégagés or glissades) teach beginners how to execute a sharp, controlled brush off the floor, a movement that forms the basis of many jumps in centre work (think about how assemblés and brisés begin with the same brush-off motion).

At the barre, we focus on pushing through the toes with a fully extended, turned-out leg, engaging the ankle and foot to create a clean, articulate line. This brush off requires firing the knee and hip extensors (to help straighten the leg) while maintaining turnout from the hip and stability through the core. The working foot should glide just above the floor with speed and precision.

It is very important to learn to control the elevation. Whilst we are often cued to throw the leg into its position, we must do this without compromising stability in the supporting leg or any compensatory leaning in the upper body.

Closing back sharply into a stable fifth or first position trains our body for clean and secure jump landings, where turnout is maintained and the upper body stays upright. In the centre, we need to absorb impact. Maintaining aligned hips and core activation supports doing this in a controlled and safe way.

If you are a bit bored of this exercise, just remember: this repeated practice of push-off and controlled return strengthens the muscles needed to launch and land safely in jumps during centre work. All your hard work will help to make jumps more fluid, precise, and secure!

📸 visuals and edit by S H A R O N

05/07/2026

Throwback to our variations so far this year!

New Variation starts today in our Summer term, we are going back to Paquita ❤️🫶🏾

Have a great lesson everyone!

Let’s talk about tendus! Tendus are a technical and neurological blueprint for the complexity of centre work. They help ...
02/07/2026

Let’s talk about tendus!

Tendus are a technical and neurological blueprint for the complexity of centre work. They help us internalise turnout, coordinate limbs, control weight, articulate the feet, and engage the core, all of which are essential once we leave the barre behind.

At their most basic, tendus teach us to work through the floor with control to a fully extended, pointed position. We learn to articulate through the foot, from heel to toe and back again. This reinforces proper technique for pointing, flexing, shifting weight, and pushing off. This isn’t just about aesthetics. Making this pathway automatic is essential for training the body to extend into long, lengthened positions with straight legs and pointed feet, critical for movements like arabesques and développés.

Most centre work involves directional movement and weight transfers, think pas de bo***ée, chassés, and pirouettes. At the barre, we practise tendus to the front, side, and back, each demanding subtle shifts of weight and balance. These are foundational patterns for how we move through space in the centre. In fact, many centre combinations and movements begin with a tendu.

That’s why it matters how we do them. Many beginners tend to tap the foot into position without working through the floor. When we skip this articulation, we miss the chance to strengthen the ankles and arches, which results in jerky, laboured movement instead of smooth, efficient transitions. It also shortens our lines and makes weight transfers more difficult, leaving us feeling unprepared and unstable in centre work.

But when we work against the resistance of the floor with intention, we strengthen the feet, build stability, and create a kinesthetic reference that helps keep the working leg turned out and engaged. Done well, tendus are not just a warm-up, they are training us for every step that follows. So stick with them, a clean, controlled tendu is the basis for everything!

📸 slideshow and edit by S H A R O N ❤️

01/07/2026

A little snippet of the beautiful Arani performing in our Intermediate Variations class 😍

Beautiful, soft and light interpretation of H**e, from Awakening of Flora ❤️

📸 by .yau

Why do we start every class with pliés?Because this exercise lays the foundation for all that follows, gently warming up...
30/06/2026

Why do we start every class with pliés?

Because this exercise lays the foundation for all that follows, gently warming up the joints, checking our overall posture, switching on our turnout muscles and checking our placement in key positions from 1st to 5th. Pliés aren’t just a passive warm up, they’re about aligning, and preparing your body for the more dynamic work ahead.

And why does this matter so much for centre work? Pliés are how we power up our jumps, and how we land safely from them. They are the preparation for various turns, giving us impetus for multiple turns too. Whilst this is a relatively ‘relaxed’ exercise at the barre, don’t be fooled! Pliés are probably the single most important movement when it comes to unlocking your turnout, power and elevation in the centre. If our pliés are off - nothing quite works! Get more out of this exercise by making it active and engaged.

Consciously think of growing through the spine every time you bend the knees; try to experience a little resistance on the way down to avoid collapsing into your joints. And make sure you always transition through demi-plié to a grand plié, this makes us switch on the correct muscles of the legs! If we lift the heels too soon, we never learn to deepen our demi-plié position, which is one of the reasons we do this exercise at all. Remember how you perceive movement affects how the muscles fire and work; so thinking of growing taller even as you descend, this helps to add a little bit of resistance so your muscles work harder! A controlled slow movement on the way down and back up is the most effective way to warm up for class :)

For our Absolute Beginners joining us this term, this is one of the foundational exercises of ballet, and it’s how we start every class. Focus on establishing a secure and stable starting position and correct alignment of the lower body to avoid excessive strain on joints or ligaments :)



📸 slides and visuals by S H A R O N

⭐️ Announcing our July Variation of the Month ⭐️📍 Sundays at The Place, Kings Cross5, 12, 19 and 26 July 20265 - 6.30pm:...
30/06/2026

⭐️ Announcing our July Variation of the Month ⭐️

📍 Sundays at The Place, Kings Cross
5, 12, 19 and 26 July 2026

5 - 6.30pm: Intermediate/Advanced
In this class we teach the original choreography.

6.30 - 8pm: Beginners/Improvers
We teach a simplified version that captures the essence and style of the choreography.

🌟 Week 4, Sunday 26 July, is an optional performance day in classes. A wonderful chance to set yourself a goal of performing this piece, either solo or in a small group 😍

About this variation:

This variation has a serene, ceremonial quality, carried by a gentle waltz rhythm and a sense of quiet grandeur. It is beautifully refined, with choreography that invites dancers to find calmness, elegance and control, while still bringing depth and expression to every phrase.

This month, we’ll focus on expressive épaulement, elegant extensions and refined musicality, exploring how the upper body can bring softness, intention and a sense of grandeur to the choreography. We will also work on fluid port de bras, poised transitions and the control needed to make simple movements feel captivating.

Swipe to the end to see clips of the beautiful Daria Ionova of the Mariinsky Ballet perform this variation ✨

Use the link in our bio to sign up — click Sunday 5 July on the calendar to book Week 1! 😍

And a reminder that our Thursday evening Technique classes support our variation classes. Each month we have a selection of focal steps based on the variation, which we break down and practise in an open class format. Our Technique classes also split into Intermediate/Advanced and Beginner level.

Also, our Intermediate Pointe class will also support this month’s variation, focusing on key movements and pointe-specific skills including piqué arabesques, stepping back into an attitude hold, pas de bo***ée piqué turns, and sustained relevés on one leg with the working leg extended devant — building the strength, stability and poise needed to bring these moments to life.

📸 featuring Daria Ionova ❤️❤️

Address

THE Place, 16 FLAXMAN TERRACE
London Borough Of Islington
WC1H9AT

Opening Hours

Wednesday 6:30pm - 9pm
Sunday 5pm - 8pm

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