When thinking about the inside of a ballet studio, the mirror is often a standard feature. As teachers we understand the benefits that the mirror can bring, so it’s important to train our adult ballet students to see the mirror as a tool to be used in a positive way.

Most people use a mirror on a daily basis and we all have a unique perspective on what we see in the mirror. The ballet studio mirror has a different purpose and adult students should be encouraged to develop a healthy, working relationship with it.

What Does The Mirror Reveal? Positive Criticism Vs Negative Judgment

The most important thing for your adult students to remember is that the mirror is a tool, and like any tool it must be used properly for the best results. When they look in the mirror during a ballet class it should be to positively critique their position or the step that they’re executing. This is best done when practicing and not during an enchaînement. Looking in the mirror and allowing the internal narrative to take over is detrimental to ballet focus and will not help ballet technique.

Ask your adult students to think objectively. Remind them about the correction, and guide them to use the mirror appropriately. Often adult students don’t want to look in the mirror, but if you encourage them to look for the shapes they are making, rather than just seeing the person staring back, it will become easier for them. Explain to your adults that you want them to feel their positions and movements, but sometimes they’ll need a visual to properly understand what’s being asked. The mirror can help them create meaning and connection between what is seen and what is felt.

See It In The Mirror, Feel It In The Body

Give your students the opportunity to face the mirror for a specific correction, and guide them through the process. Ask them to look at the shape of their arms in an arabesque, or ask them to look at the difference in weight placement from one foot to two feet… then ask them to close their eyes and feel it as well. The best dancers dance in their bodies and not to their reflections!

Let your adult students know that seeing the correction in the mirror is only half of the task; feeling it in their bodies is where the true work comes in. Once they understand how it feels in their body they no longer need the mirror – their muscle memory will recognize the correct movement. When they can feel it in the body, without looking for it in the reflection, the mirror has been used correctly.

Be Specific With The Mirror

When looking in the ballet studio mirror your adult students should have a clear idea of what they are looking for, especially your beginners. If you have adult students who are working at a higher level, they may be able to self-correct as they can work more independently.

Give your students clear instructions, but also empower them with ideas to work through themselves. Are their arms strong and supportive with good shape? Are their legs and feet stretching through the line? Are they collecting up through their center and standing as tall as they can be? These are really good questions for your students to ask themselves at anytime, but especially when they are looking in the mirror, as the visual will assist the physical.

Mirror Perspective And Looking Through Your Reflection

If the mirrors run down the sidewall (or more than one wall) in your ballet studio, then beware the false perspective! Ask your students to always look directly at you or to the front of the studio, so they understand how to present to their audience. Looking through the mirror to learn an enchaînement can not only confuse their perspective in the space, but also confuse their enchaînement!

Unlike Alice, we are not going to fall through the mirror to Wonderland! But there are definitely times when your adult students need to be able to look through their reflection rather than at it. They can achieve this by lifting their focus, looking above their eye-line, or turning their head to complete their line. Mirror usage should never come before using head positions and eye-line properly. This is a dangerous habit that creates internal dancing. Remind your adult students that dancing is about connecting with the audience (even if it is imaginary), not zoning out to the mirror!

Whatever personal feelings your adult students have towards the mirror, explain to them that in the ballet studio the mirror is a useful tool to improve their technique.  Ask them to use it positively, and to let it go when the work is done.