Lyrical dance combines expressive movement with technique, musicality and storytelling. If you’re completely new to the style, some routines can look complicated, but every dancer starts by learning the basics.
The best way to begin is to become comfortable with a small collection of basic lyrical dance moves before combining them into longer choreography.
At Phoenix Dance Academy, our lyrical dance classes in Pontefract help children and teenagers develop technique, confidence and expression at a pace suited to their experience.
Here are 12 lyrical dance moves beginners are likely to encounter as they start learning the style.
1. Lyrical Walks and Runs
Walking might sound simple, but in lyrical dance every movement has purpose.
Rather than simply travelling across the floor, dancers learn to use posture, arms, direction and timing to make even a basic walk feel connected to the music.
This helps beginners develop musicality and expression without needing complicated technique.
2. Body Rolls
A body roll creates a flowing movement through different parts of the body.
Beginners can practise moving through the chest, ribs and hips while maintaining control rather than rushing the movement.
Body rolls are useful for developing coordination and learning how one movement can flow naturally into another.
3. Contractions and Releases
A contraction draws the body inward before a release allows it to open again.
These movements are particularly useful in lyrical dance because they can help communicate emotion while teaching dancers greater body control.
They are often incorporated into choreography to create contrast between stronger and softer movements.
4. Chassé
A chassé is a travelling step commonly used across several dance styles.
It allows dancers to move smoothly across the floor and can eventually lead into other movements such as turns, leaps or jumps.
For beginners, the focus should be on rhythm, weight transfer and maintaining good posture.
5. Turn Preparations
Beginners don’t need to master advanced turns immediately.
Learning the preparation first helps develop:
- Balance
- Spotting
- Core control
- Posture
- Coordination
Once those foundations improve, turns can gradually become more confident and controlled.
We’ve also put together some additional tips for better turns and spins for dancers wanting to develop their turning technique.
6. Pivots
Pivots are simple turning movements that help change direction while keeping choreography flowing.
They are useful for beginners because they introduce rotation without requiring the technique of a full pirouette.
Pivots can also help dancers become more comfortable travelling and changing direction within a routine.
7. Lunges and Reaches
Lunges combined with expressive reaches appear regularly in lyrical choreography.
They help dancers create strong shapes while developing:
- Leg strength
- Balance
- Control
- Extension
Changing the direction, speed or intention of a reach can also completely change the emotion of a movement.
8. Basic Floor Work
Lyrical dance often moves between standing and floor-based choreography.
Beginners can start by learning controlled ways to:
- Lower themselves towards the floor
- Roll or slide
- Change levels
- Return to standing
The aim isn’t to perform complicated tricks. It is to learn how movements connect smoothly.
That connection becomes particularly important as choreography develops. Our guide to transitioning smoothly between lyrical dance phrases explores this in more detail.
9. Arabesque
An arabesque creates a long line through the body, with one leg supporting the dancer while the other extends behind.
At beginner level, the focus should be on:
- Balance
- Posture
- Core stability
- Leg extension
- Arm placement
The height of the leg is far less important than maintaining a controlled position.
10. Leap Preparations
Big leaps take time to develop.
Beginners normally benefit from first practising the preparation, take-off and landing rather than concentrating purely on height.
Developing these foundations helps build the strength and coordination needed as techniques become more advanced.
11. Arm Pathways
Lyrical dance isn’t only about what your feet are doing.
Arm pathways help movements feel connected and expressive rather than stiff or disconnected.
Beginners can practise reaches, circular movements and transitions between arm positions while learning how the upper body complements the rest of the choreography.
12. Musicality and Breath
This isn’t technically one dance move, but it is one of the most important lyrical skills to learn.
Lyrical dancers don’t simply perform movements one after another. They learn to respond to:
- Rhythm
- Lyrics
- Changes in tempo
- Pauses
- Emotion within the music
Using breath and musicality helps turn a collection of dance steps into a performance.
As dancers progress, this also becomes an important part of learning how to tell a story through lyrical dance movements.
How Do Beginners Learn Lyrical Dance?
Beginners shouldn’t expect to learn every movement at once.
A good progression is usually:
Learn the basic position → practise the technique → connect it to another movement → add music → use it within choreography.
Repetition gradually improves coordination, balance and confidence.
That’s why learning a handful of basic lyrical movements well is more useful than rushing towards complicated choreography.
Do You Need Dance Experience to Start Lyrical Dance?
No.
Beginners can start lyrical dance without already knowing turns, leaps or choreography.
At Phoenix Dance Academy, dancers are grouped according to age and experience so they can develop their skills progressively.
Our lyrical programme welcomes children and teenagers aged 6–17, including complete beginners.
Start Learning Lyrical Dance in Pontefract
Reading about lyrical dance moves is useful, but learning them with an instructor gives dancers feedback on positioning, control, timing and technique.
Phoenix Dance Academy offers lyrical dance classes in Pontefract for children and teenagers aged 6–17, from beginners through to more experienced dancers.
Classes help students develop technique while also exploring the musicality, creativity and expression that make lyrical dance unique.
Interested in trying lyrical dance? Enquire about a class at Phoenix Dance Academy and take the first step towards learning your first lyrical routine.