First Steps: Creative Movement Ballet Classes
I teach my youngest dancers that ballet is a discipline, not a hobby. Through rigorous creative movement and foundational drills, we build poise and focus from their very first steps.
I sit with my youngest students and explain the difference between a demi-plié and a grand plié. Using simple terms and demonstrations, I make the French vocabulary of ballet accessible and understandable.
Using props like yoga blocks, our toddlers learn balance and coordination. Playful exercises like the "camel walk" make learning fundamental motor skills fun and engaging.
Our toddlers get ready for the stage, practicing with colorful fans. Using props helps them understand musicality and how to move with an object, adding a layer of complexity to their learning.
Getting our ballet toddlers ready for the stage involves both practice and play. Here, I give a student a hands-on correction for her backbend, ensuring she learns safely and effectively.
Even at this young age, students learn the discipline of moving together. This clip shows our elementary ballet students practicing a sequence, learning to follow the leader and maintain their spacing.
"We only 5. But we love our ballet!" A young student practices her chassé and turns. Her enthusiasm is infectious and shows that a passion for dance can start at any age.
A line of my youngest students waits for their turn to practice a combination across the floor. Learning to wait, watch, and then execute is a crucial part of their discipline training.
A young student in her recital costume practices her curtsy. The curtsy is one of the first and most important things a ballerina learns, a sign of respect and gratitude.
A young student practices her chaîné turns. This is an early introduction to turning, helping her develop the coordination and spotting technique she will need for more advanced pirouettes later.
A student from my elementary ballet class practices the pas de bourrée. This fundamental connecting step is a building block for countless combinations in ballet.
About First Steps: Creative Movement (Ages 4-7)
In my studio, we do not treat creative movement as simple playtime. Your child will spend their sessions mastering the demi-plié, learning essential French terminology, and developing proper alignment at the barre. This is a deliberate introduction to ballet, designed to build core strength and concentration before they ever attempt a complex jump.
Ballet is a culture of discipline, and I introduce this mindset from day one. For children between four and seven, our creative movement classes serve as the base for all future technical growth. We use props like yoga blocks or fans, not to entertain, but to teach anatomical positioning and balance. If a child cannot understand how to hold their arms in first position or how to perform a demi-plié with control, they are not ready for choreography.
My approach is entirely 'old school.' There are no shortcuts and no rushing to the stage. Whether your child is four or six, they will learn the same discipline required by my professional soloist division. This means correcting posture, enforcing attention during drills, and teaching them to wait for their turn.
We are located in Andheri West, and we operate as a single, independent studio. We have no branches, and I do not offer discounts. Admissions are limited and contingent upon a mandatory assessment trial, where I evaluate a child's focus span and natural aptitude. This session is not just for me to see your child; it is for you to decide if you are ready for a truly premium, demanding dance education.
Ratika Ram Kumar
I do not run a hobby class. I teach classical ballet as a serious discipline, focusing on anatomical awareness and strict technique even at the toddler age. If you value old-school rigour and want to see your child build genuine poise, we should talk.
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