Visual Planning for Ballet Teachers: Building a Movement Library with Benesh Movement Notation

This article explores how Benesh Movement Notation (BMN) can support effective dance class planning, reflection, and adaptability in the studio. Moving beyond traditional written lesson plans, the author shares a practical, flexible approach to visual planning rooted in years of experience teaching ballet and training new educators. By using BMN as a personal planning tool, the author demonstrates how it can enhance recall, streamline preparation, and foster responsive teaching. The process evolves into a growing personal archive of exercises that supports long-term curriculum design and day-to-day improvisation. Although the focus is on ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi, the broader planning strategies, such as the use of visual notation, reflective practice, and the development of a movement library, offer valuable insights for dance educators across a range of styles.