The Vaganova Method is a ballet technique devised by Russian dancer Agrippina Vaganova (1879 - 1951)

Agrippina graduated from The Imperial Ballet School in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1897.

She retired from dancing in 1916 to  pursue a career in teaching.

Vaganova taught for 30 years at The Imperial Ballet School, now named The Lenigrad Choreographic School.

Vaganova developed a ballet technique that combined elements of French (the romantic era), Italian (Checchetti), and early Russian styles.

She also developed the syllabus of how to teach this method.

In 1934 Vaganova wrote a book called 'Fundamentals Of The Classical Dance', which remains the standard textbook for ballet teachers instructing this method.

The Vaganova training method relies on the following principle; that all training can be encompassed and displayed in the course of one Grand Pas de Deux.

The syllabus is understood as a codified technical set of steps taught by qualified teachers only.

The training system is designed to involve the whole body in every movement, with particular attention paid to the upper body, legs and feet.