Proper Head Position and Gaze in Ballet

Part of the beauty of ballet dancers is the seemingly perfect alignment of every part of their bodies. A beginner must be taught the correct way in which to hold the head. Head and gaze must both be coordinated with the movements of the arms, or port de bras. The harmony of the head and arms allows a dancer to appear confident and expressive.

There are several correct head positions including straight to the front, turned 45 degrees, and turned profile, to name a few. Remember that the chin should never be raised or lowered too far, or the audience won't be able to see your face. (The audience should always see your face.)

Many beginning ballet dancers often appear dazed or confused, as they are not sure where or at what they should look while dancing. To avoid appearing this way, always look at something...look at your hand, look at the audience, look at your partner...never stare into space.