Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Why Aren’t You Improving at All? The Honest Truth About Your Adult Ballet Progress.

Observe
Verb:

1. Notice or perceive something and register it as significant.
2. Watch someone or something carefully and attentively.
3. Detect something during a scientific study.
4. Maintain silence as a mark of respect or compliance with a rule.

Derived from the Latin observare, meaning “to watch,” it combines ob- (“towards”) and servare (“attend to, look at”).

If there is one critical skill that can rapidly enhance a student’s ballet technique, it’s observation. Strong students are notably observant, while less successful students tend to focus on everything but the material. In our ALIGN 1 adult beginner ballet program, a common challenge is that many students fixate more on their reflections than my instructions. They seem distracted by hairbands, skirts, Apple Watches, or the accessories of their classmates, yet fail to notice fundamental details like the position of my foot. The mirrors, aptly branded “giant mirrors,” can be mesmerizing at first, but their novelty should fade as the real learning begins.

As noted in Jeremiah 5:21, “They have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear.” This serves as a caution for dancers who remain in class for years without genuine progress. I recall one student whose sole focus was constantly adjusting their outfit, making little to no improvement. While I appreciate every student’s presence, no matter their pace, better observation could unlock much more potential.

What Should You Be Observing?

1. Body Alignment: Pay attention to how your body parts stack up. Are you aligned, or does your posture need adjustment?
2. Footwork: Are your feet aligned properly, moving smoothly along the floor, or merely sticking out in an attempt to point? Even with explicit instructions to keep the foot on the floor during tendu, roughly 20% of students still lift their legs off the ground.
3. Preparation: The beginning of a dance is critical. Students often treat the preparation as an afterthought, but it is fundamental. In classical ballet, every solo starts with a preparation. Without mastering it in class, stepping on stage becomes far more daunting.
4. Spatial Awareness: This is both a practical and safety issue. Students often position themselves too close to the barre or another dancer, or even face the wrong direction, requiring me to stop the combination before we begin.
5. Angles: Which direction is the material presented from? Front, side, or corner? Professional dancers are skilled in observing and replicating movement. Just last week, my tango partner and I mastered six figures in 45 minutes, from video —an exercise in observation.
6. Observing Your Observation: Are you actively noticing, or just passively watching? Mentally note the details: Did the instructor finish the combo facing away from the barre? Was the foot in coupé or passé? Such small mistakes often stem from poor observation.
7. Emotional State: Are you frustrated, angry, or distracted? Recognizing your emotional state is key, as it influences your focus. Sometimes, the first adjustment needed is in your mind, not your body.
8. Range of Motion and Trajectory: How far does your instructor travel? How high should the movement be? In our ALIGN 1 class, I often demonstrate a jeté at 45 degrees, only to see 30% of students overshoot it by 15%. It’s rare that anyone undershoots. Observation is not just a skill—it’s the foundation of artistry, enabling dancers to interpret and present their understanding of movement to the world.

Are we truly observing what I am trying to communicate, and is it beginning to sink in? I do not mean to be condescending—I understand that observing with the body is one of the hardest things for people to learn. Yet this skill is essential for dancers. Observation goes beyond mere sight; it is the foundation for understanding alignment, mastering techniques, and truly feeling the dance. Whether it’s noticing body alignment, the height of a movement, or even one’s emotional state, the power of observation is what separates progress from stagnation. It is a skill that requires consistent practice and attention, and it can transform not only your dance but also your approach to learning.

Below are examples of my focus and attention while working with one of my tango classmates in our past weeks practice. I review my videos repeatedly searching for the smallest of details. I don’t always like what I see, but I know it is important to observe.