Basic Principles of Classical Ballet ," written by Agrippina Vaganova, is the definitive manual for the Vaganova Method

Vaganova begins not with steps, but with concepts. She introduces the crucial idea of opposition (sometimes called "contrapposto"). This is the engine of the Russian style. She argues that every movement of the legs must be counterbalanced by the movement of the arms and head. Without this opposition, the dancer loses their center of gravity and artistic expressiveness.

Basic Principles of Classical Ballet: Russian Ballet Technique Author: Agrippina Vaganova Subject: Performing Arts / Dance / Ballet Methodology

It teaches dancers to act through their movement, not just perform tricks.