The LBC Methodology: Tailored Ballet Training for Adults
At London Ballet Classes (LBC), we understand that learning ballet as an adult is a fundamentally different experience compared to learning as a child. Our comprehensive methodology has been developed over the past eight years to meet the specific needs of adult learners, allowing us to continually update and refine our approach in line with the latest research and innovations in movement education.
Why Adult Ballet Deserves a Fresh Approach
Our approach places a strong emphasis on anatomical education, body awareness, and injury prevention—essential elements for adult movement education that are not typically addressed in methodologies designed for children’s bodies. We believe adults deserve a curriculum designed for their unique needs, rather than adapting syllabi meant for children. This philosophy is at the core of why we have pioneered our own approach - and why so many adults see amazing progress when they train with us.
The LBC Methodology in Action
Cognitive Learning as the Foundation for Physical Development
One of the greatest advantages of starting ballet as an adult is that you are already a skilled learner. Adult students have refined cognitive abilities, body awareness, and motor control—tools that should be leveraged to streamline the learning process. Adults can better comprehend detailed instructions and explanations, which aids in the motor learning process. Rather than relying on years of repetition (as with children), we believe adults benefit from receiving clear, detailed instruction right from the start. Adults often bring prior movement experience from other practices (even if they don’t seem complementary), which further enhances their ability to learn. This is why our approach focuses heavily on developing a cognitive understanding of ballet movements, knowledge of terminology and vocabulary and basic anatomical education. By offering detailed explanations and feedback early on, we help students avoid injuries and prevent the development of inefficient movement patterns (which can be hard to unpack/rewire later on). This knowledge helps adults avoid the typical trials and errors encountered in ballet education. So compared to the typical ‘follow along’ and ‘do your best’ approach of many adult drop-in sessions, you can expect our entry level classes to offer very detailed explanations, development of anatomical knowledge, and the integration of innovative exercises and cues for body awareness and improved motor learning.Targeted and personalised Feedback
Traditional ballet curriculums rely heavily on physical repetition over time. This is because all of these syllabi are based on a long-term developmental model that assumes students will progress gradually over many years—something more suited to children. Adults, by contrast, don’t have the luxury of dedicating 10+ years to reach an intermediate level. Many adult learners are also at greater risk of injury, as their bodies are less malleable than children’s. All of this means that physical repetition in adult bodies isn’t enough on it’s own, it can simply cement incorrect or inefficient technique —this is a common risk when condensing learning. In addition to addressing this via our focus on cognitive learning (as outlined above), we believe adult learners need precise, timely and personalised corrections. Our focus is on providing specific, actionable feedback that helps students refine their technique without the expectation that they will simply figure it out over time.
Utilising Body Awareness
Body awareness is essential in adult ballet education because it enables students to move with greater precision, control, and safety. Adults often bring a developed sense of proprioception—awareness of their body’s position and movement—from other movement practices, which can accelerate their ballet learning. This heightened self-awareness helps dancers identify and correct alignment issues, prevent injuries, and refine technique more effectively. Developing the capacity for self-correction and independent learning is essential for adults - because they do not have as structured a learning environment as children or pre-professionals. This is about providing adults with the tools to help themselves. Better body awareness means that rather than relying solely on external corrections from teachers, students learn to self-assess, fostering independence in their practice. Incorporating body awareness also deepens the connection between mind and movement, allowing students to approach ballet not only as a technical discipline but as a mindful and expressive art form. In adult education, where time and physical resilience can be more limited, leveraging body awareness creates a more efficient and sustainable learning process.Holistic Injury Prevention
Holistic injury prevention is crucial in adult ballet education to support long-term progress and reduce the risk of strain, overuse, or injury. Unlike children, adults may have less physical malleability and a history of movement patterns that often need reconditioning. A comprehensive approach to injury prevention incorporates not only proper technique but also cross-training through practices like Pilates, strength conditioning, and mobility work. This ensures that students develop the muscle balance, core stability, and joint alignment needed to safely perform ballet movements. Additionally, a focus on posture and recovery practices, such as stretching and breathwork, helps maintain the body's resilience over time. By addressing the physical demands of ballet in a holistic way, students can enjoy sustainable growth, avoid burnout, and build the strength and flexibility needed to progress with confidence.
A flexible yet progressive Curriculum
Our programme offers a structured yet adaptable pathway for adult students, ensuring that they can progress from Absolute Beginner to Advanced levels at their own pace and whilst honouring their commitments outside of ballet. To achieve this we offer a variety of class types which, when attended together, offer a well-rounded and well-balanced offer.
Technique Classes: Our technique classes are divided into levels (Beginner, Improvers, Intermediate/Advanced) and focus on essential ballet terminology, sequencing, and core movements. Key steps, or focal steps, are revisited over a set period (e.g., one month or a term), allowing students to refine their technique and integrate it into their muscle memory, this offers repetition to help embed movements, without the rigidity of exam-based work. Our Beginner, Improver and Intermediate Technique class are taught by the same teacher to ensure continuity of support between levels and as students progress.
Variation Classes: Every month, we teach a new variation that incorporates choreography and music from classical ballets. These classes, offered at Beginner and Intermediate levels, embed the development of musicality, artistry, and stage presence into our training. We believe adults should not have to wait to work on these important components of being a dancer until they are at high levels of technical proficiency (especially because adults are often keen to streamline the progression pathway). We understand, respect and are driven by the objectives of our students - embedding knowledge and appreciation of classical repertoire is central to our delivery.
Pointe Classes: Pointe work is an important aspect of ballet, and one of the most common long-term goals for our students. Our pointe class curriculum has been hugely successful as we have pioneered our own progressive pathway from pre-pointe all the way to advanced level work. We incorporate a lot of strength-building work, conditioning, posture work, alignment work and focus on body awareness into our pointe lessons to make this difficult transition as safe and fluid as possible.
Conditioning Classes: Conditioning is vital for developing strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. Our conditioning classes integrate principles from Pilates, strength training, and ballet-specific exercises to enhance performance while reducing the risk of injury. This complementary training builds a strong foundation for students, helping them excel in their ballet practice.
Contemporary Dance Classes: We recently incorporated contemporary dance into our curriculum to allows students to explore different styles and techniques. This is a fantastic way of enhancing overall versatility as a dancer. As the ballet world evolves, we continue to learn and adapt too! Most classical companies around the world now require a strong foundation in contemporary dance, because it encourages creativity, musicality and artistry. We also want to provide a well-rounded dance education that complements traditional ballet training and supports the development of dynamic dancers. Our offering of classes will continue to evolve and incorporate more lessons!
Coordinated Learning Experience
We ensure that all classes are interconnected and inform one another, curating a comprehensive learning experience. The focal steps from our technique classes complement the choreography taught in our variation classes, providing a well-rounded educational journey even within a drop-in model. The pointe classes complement the technique classes and variation classes too. This means that there is a very intentional and often thematic focus point of student development, at every level and consistent across our various classes. In addition to regular classes, we offer workshops that provide in-depth technical training and anatomical education. Our workshops include:
Monthly Online Masterclasses: Each month, we host online masterclasses, focusing on specific aspects of ballet technique and artistry. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to dive deeper into different themes and concepts from the comfort of your home. Previous themes include the anatomy of turnout, port de bras, storytelling through mime and more!
Guest Artists: We frequently invite guest artists from The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Ballet Black and more to share their expertise with our students. These workshops expose students to diverse teaching styles and perspectives, enriching their learning experience and expanding their understanding of ballet as an art form.
Specialised Workshops: Our specialised in-person workshops are innovative and cutting edge. We allow students to focus on particular skills, such as contemporary fusion, breathing to optimise ballet performance, injury prevention strategies and more. These sessions are designed to enhance specific areas of training and provide targeted support for individual goals.
Why choose LBC?
Designed Specifically for Adults: Our curriculum addresses the unique needs and strengths of adult students, rather than adapting methods meant for children. We have pioneered an approach that has led to fantastic results for our students. Check out our testimonials and reviews to see for yourself!
Efficient Learning Process: By utilising cognitive understanding and body awareness, we streamline skill development, reducing the need for years of repetitive practice.
Balanced Focus: We integrate artistry, musicality, and performance skills alongside technical development, ensuring a well-rounded experience that honours the goals and objectives of adult students, without imposing rigid timelines on this.
Memory and Adaptability: Our classes prepare students for open-class environments, developing the ability to quickly memorise and execute combinations. WE simultaneously focus on musicality, artistry and stage presence to support performance skills.
A Living Curriculum: Our methodology evolves with new research and innovations in sport science and movement education, keeping our teaching practices relevant and effective. Our methodology is never considered ‘done,’ it is an evolving body of work which is broad, holistic and aspirational in it’s approach.
Join Us in Your Ballet Journey
At LBC, we believe every adult should have the opportunity to pursue their passion for ballet, whether for personal enjoyment or with a serious intent. Our methodology equips you with the tools you need to thrive in both technical and artistic aspects of dance. If you like the way we work and are ready to take the next step - then Sign up for a class today!