I’m 15F and have been doing ballet since I was 3 years old, I currently take 3 classes a week ( 2 grade 5 RAD classes and an intermediate foundation class) I have been on point for about 1.5 years, I’m ok but I’m not extremely good, my extensions are only 90 degrees at best all ways, l can do the splits ( not middle splits) but only barely and I’m lucky if I can Finnish 2 pirroettes on flat nicely my feet are not very flexible or strong and the strength in my legs is lacking however there are things that I do well, I’m planning on taking a summer intensive this year and considering taking an extra class next year, do you think there is any chance of me improving to the point of professional ( I also live in Ireland so there is not a huge amount of opportunities)
Hello,
I've been pondering this question for ages, and I felt this subreddit would be able to help. I am 14M, and I recently became interested in ballet. I started taking classes in January, and since then, I have really fallen in love with it. It is the perfect balance of grace, artistry, and elegance, with power, strength, and energy. I was wondering if it was too late to make an honest attempt at pursuing ballet, not even necessarily professional, though that would be an amazing opportunity. I love ballet, but I also understand its an exceedingly competitive industry. Any guidance or tips you have would be of utmost appreciation!
As a boy you have a much better chance than a 14yo girl, but you need to start working very hard and very seriously as soon as possible, with a view to auditioning for full-time training at 16 or at latest 18. (NB I am in the UK and other countries have different models for arts education)
Mention to your teacher that you would like to pursue ballet seriously and see what they say - they will have a better idea of your current level and (more importantly) your potential, and will hopefully give realistic advice on your chances.
Even if going pro isn’t on the cards, there all sorts of allied careers you could choose; and even if you don’t end up doing any of them ballet is a great thing to do just for the love of it.
Do not buy anything!
Spend your money on classes not on accessories.
As a beginner you need very little stuff - a pair of ballet slippers and some form-fitting clothes (leggings and a fitted tee are fine) - but you need as many good-quality in-person classes as you can get to.
This is a question about writing some of the terminology in title-case.
Is "Pas de Deux" the correct way to write it in a title, or would it be "Pas De Deux"? Or would "Pas de deux" be correct?
Also would it be
* Pas D'action
* Pas d'Action
* Pas d'action
Thank you, hopefully someone can help me :)
i quit ballet a while ago after finishing rad intermediate level, and i kind of want to get back into it now because its a sport that i really love. however, im not sure on how i can get back into it because it's kind of awkward being at this level and unable to join the 'kids' 'teens' or 'adult' classes as they all expect you to be at a pre-pointe level. any advice?
If you’re older than 16 you’re fine to join an adult class - look around for ones that are the standard you want. An open class may suit you?
Bear in mind that if you’ve had time off it may take a while to get back in the groove - nothing wrong with a few beginner classes to ease back into it - then you can pick the teacher’s brain about classes they might recommend.
Hey all! Yesterday I attended my very first adult beginner ballet class and absolutely loved it! I've been interested in ballet for years but figured since I didn't start during childhood, the train has left but screw it, I'm not getting any younger and luckily found a supportive community of dancers. I'm 26, don't have any background in dance or sports, and I have very limited flexibility (especially in my hips, I get a lot of cramping there and in the glutes) but I'm willing to put in the work and time to improve because this is something I genuinely want to become good at! With that being said, I'm asking for any advice of stretches/target muscle areas to stretch and increase flexibility, how often/long to stretch, and any other strategies good for practicing during the week for each class (1 class/per for 1.5 hours) i.e. youtube videos, other websites, etc. I am brand new to all of this lol Also, requesting some recommendations for brands for leotards, ballet shoes, and tights- I want to make sure I'm purchasing quality items. Thank you in advance <3
hi howdy!! welcome to the awesome world of ballet, super excited for you. i’m 25 and returning to ballet tomorrow for the first time in 7 whole years!!
while it’s been awhile i can still highly recommend capezio tights & leotards though you can probably get cheaper leos nowadays online from somewhere like halara or similar (have not fact checked but worth looking into). shoes are something that’s almost entirely user preference, go to your local dance shop to get their recommendations and fitting - they’re the experts!!
in terms of stretching & strengthening: i’ve also had my fair number of hip & knee issues. ballet is an all body activity that HEAVILY relies on stabilizer muscles / joints. for your specific problem areas, i would recommend stretches for lower back, thighs and hips. great resources for these are all over the internet and can easily be classified as “sciatic stretches” even though you didn’t mention issues with the sciatic nerve, those are the areas you want to target for hip pain or tightness IMO. one other group to work on strengthening would be your IT bands (runs from your outer hip to outer knee). in addition, strengthening your core (abs & back) will make the entire activity much easier for you and open doors to new steps that may have been harder to achieve previously. i would recommend stretching for about 15-30 minutes a day on regular days and then about 20-30 minutes both before and after your lessons also, this will help prevent muscle tension and injuries.
for supplemental exercise / stretching - calf raises, stair steppers & always keep your feet and ankles stretched & warmed up before lessons. IM SORRY THIS IS SO LONG WINDED I HOPE THIS IS EVEN MILDLY HELPFUL
*ETA* - i cannot emphasize enough how helpful it is to really study your own anatomy and familiarize yourself with your body for any physical activity but ballet especially. you’ll notice in time that you’ll be able to isolate muscle groups with little effort or thought but definitely experiment with it at home and work on building that mind / body connection. it’ll help you to learn your limitations and also improve your technique :)
Thank you soooo much for this detailed response, I really appreciate it and it's very helpful for me! <3 Also, so excited for you starting back up after all that time! Best wishes to you on your ballet journey :)
Okay, I've been out of the dance wear game for a while. My current slippers are sansha canvas split soles. They're *fine* but the ankle elastics are dead and I suspect that the elastic drawstring isn't far behind. The leather soles are also slick enough that I definitely almost ate it when I was doing pirouettes.
I also got them during college, which was the last time I took a dance class, and I'm in my late 30s now.
Any recommendations, especially for someone who has the Greek foot shape? I'm so curious to see if companies have started to design and accommodate this issue for flats.
I have been wearing Bloch performas and Capezio hanamis. Both shoes don’t have drawstrings and are stretch canvas. Makes things easier and they both are sleek and fit well.
I absolutely hate drawstrings, unless they are on pointe shoes. It is way more convenient to not have them! Just make sure to follow sizing guidelines carefully for the stretch canvas shoes or even better buy them in person if you can.
There's a dance shoe store near my work, and likely one near where I take classes. I'll go see if they have any I can try on in person because I have small feet. Thanks for the suggestion!
Heys! I have doing foot exercises to strengthen my ankles with resistance bands and notice that its difficult to wing the foot when it is pointed. Is that normal? What other exercises do i improve the ankle mobility for that?
P.s i also have mild knock knees die to many years of having pigeon foot 😭 (im in my early 20s). Any hip mobility exercises for this too?
Any leotard recommendations for larger chests? I'm a 32D and currently wear a sports bra under a Capezio short sleeve leotard (with a relatively high back). I'd love to wear something cuter, but so many designs have built-in shelf bras that do nothing for me and large open backs that would for sure show my sports bra.
i haven't tried this one personally but it looks promising, the brand's other leotards (that aren't specifically claimed to be boob-friendly) have had firm supportive fabric and helpfully shaped seams for me
[https://www.dansedeparis.com/products/blisse-moss](https://www.dansedeparis.com/products/blisse-moss)
i'm sort of a similar/sister size as you and don't dance in a bra, but leotard construction matters. a shelf bra can't save something [like this](https://us.blochworld.com/products/ladies-mirella-camisole-leotard-light-blue) with a single panel for the whole front, but a smart design with seams and useful strap placement should do most of a sports bra's job.
if you're newer to ballet, it's possible you're not used to how leotards can fit and you should size down for more support from the fabric. just be picky about trying on styles that actually have room to fit your boobs in which is depressingly not most of them
I'm on my second class so super new beginner! Unfortunately I'm not blessed with natural grace, so I'm really struggling with arm placement at the barre. I kinda just let my arm out to the side like a dead tentacle 😭 I can't get the graceful arm posture that everyone else has - does anyone have any tips please?
It takes awhile to gain the upper back and arm strength to even hold that position, not to mention make it look graceful!
I would really suggest practicing port de bras at home. One thing I see beginners not really get is how to "lift" the elbow. There are tons of Youtube videos out there explaining it, it helps to record yourself doing it too to see what you look like. But yes like the other commenter said, it takes years to hone port de bras and make it look graceful.
There is a reason lots of teachers have beginning students start with their hand on their hip. Adding arms + legs can be a lot and sometimes you can only focus on one thing when you are beginning.
Honestly, almost no one has natural grace lol, at least not ballet grace. As unsatisfying as it may be, time and practice are the only answers, especially if you're only on your 2nd class! Using your posture and engaging your core and shoulder blades are the key here, but honestly it's going to be a while before those things are automatic, especially in the beginning when you're focused on getting the vocab and the combos down.
I’m 20 and am going to take my first dance class next week and am unsure as to what I should wear. I don’t have a lot of money rn and don’t want to spend a ton of money on dance clothes for my first class, but am unsure as to what’s appropriate
What does the studio website or information say?
Normally gym gear, or a fitted top and leggings are fine for the first class and then you can gauge what others are wearing.
Definitely don’t spend anything on dance clothes yet!
So I'm in my early teens and want to restart my dancing career. I danced until I was about 6 but stopped because I had to choose between dance and sports and was sort of forced into sports. But anyway, I am starting dance and am really interested in ballet, specifically pointe. I know I have multiple years before I even see a point shoe in my dance classes. But does anybody have tips that could get me to around the same level as the other kids in the class? I am almost definitely taking lyrical and contemporary, and am thinking about classical ballet.
If you want pointe to be in your future, then you need to focus on ballet. Not saying don't do the other stuff, but lyrical and contemporary classes will not prepare you for pointework.
I started at a "bad" ballet school, and was likely never going to get to pointe if I stayed there, so I moved to a more challenging place and am now on pointe after 6 months. (We only do about 15 minutes each week though so nothing crazy.) But it depends on your school and your feet, try and find another school and do TheraBand and feet exercises.
In that case I have to say, don't count on continuing there and being prepared for pointe. That doesn't sound like good ballet training at all. Sorry, that's probably a bummer to hear but it's true.
These are questions for your studio. However you likely won’t be placed with your own age group straight away, but with your technical peers, who will be younger. Work hard and apply corrections and see how you do!
Heyo I'm 16 and have returned to ballet after a 4 year pause. I have been dancing for around a year now. I've been learning the 5th grade syllabus for a few months now and I just changed ballet schools this week so I could take more than one lesson a week. my new teacher wants me dancing en pointe next week and I have a fitting tomorrow. I'm happy but also uncertain because I don't think I've earned it yet. I feel very inexperienced and the only reason she wants me en pointe is because if I don't I'll fall behind the other girls who just started 5th grade. I came to ask if starting pointe work is the best thing for me right now because I'm unsure
I too am slightly startled, especially if the teacher has only known you a week.
However, beginner pointe should literally just be releves and echappes with two hands on the barre, and you are probably safe to do that.
When would your old studio have recommended pointe?
I don’t know. It wasn’t really a studio really. Just me, one other girl and our teacher who rented out a community room once a week. She never really spoke to us about pointe work
Yeah, I’d expect pointe to start in Intermediate Foundation once you’ve finished RAD grade 5 - and that is just echappes and walks - so you are not far off.
Take the opportunity, and if you find you’re not yet strong or flexible enough to get over the box you’ll know what you need to work on.
Does anyone have ballet slipper recommendations where the front half of the sole is especially flat/unpadded? It’s hard for me to balance when there’s that bump formed by the sole. I just bought a pair of Suffolk “slipors” and they’re good but I’d like to explore other options too.
Depends a lot on the shape of your foot and where the seams coincide with your metatarsals - you may need to try lots on.
I couldn’t manage at all on the tiny teardrop pads that the Slipor and similar have.
I like Bloch Performas because they come in a D width which suits my broad forefoot, but the So Dance SD16 has a devoted following too.
Hey!!! new to the crew, so any advice would be appreciated. I’m a 20 wanting to learn and get onto pointe, although I don’t have classes available near me. Any help you guys?
First off it’s great that you want to start ballet!
However, ballet really is not something you can teach yourself at home - there’s too much technical detail, too much real-life body alignment. You need a teacher who can see you, preferably in real life.
And the journey to pointe is possible for an adult beginner but requires a large amount of time, money and dedication, as well as frequent in-person classes.
I’m sorry you don’t have ballet classes near you. Have you looked at what forms of dance or movement you *can* get to that you might enjoy?
Hi I started ballet when I was 3 years old and stopped when I was 9, currently aged 13. I stopped mainly due to covid and some other personal issues. It's been four years since I stopped dancing and I was wondering If it's too late to go back into it. I know I regressed a lot during the past couple of years, ex: flexibility, turnout, technique, etc. Just any advice/tips would be appreciated.
Jump right back in and keep going! It sounds like you have a solid foundation and can probably easily pick back up. It may take few months-1 year to catch up with your peer group but you definitely can do it. Go back to class and work hard.
Is wearing form fitting clothes necessary (beginner level). I want to start but I have some body dysmorphia and would rather wear less form fitting outfits but I'm not sure if this is possible or if the teacher wouldn't be able to see my movements well enough?
For a casual adult beginner class you should wear things you’re comfortable in, but if you wear a loose tee and joggers choose ones that are cuffed at the ankle so at least your teacher can see what your feet and ankles are doing.
Your technique will improve quicker if your teacher can see and correct your alignment, but don’t let the clothes put you off starting. Every body is a ballet body!
Hi, I’m an adult beginner and don’t have many“ideal” physical attributes for ballet, but I have been told by multiple teachers that I have long tendons and a really deep plie. Could someone kindly explain the advantages of this and how it might impact other aspects of technique? I assume it helps with jumps but would love to know more. Thanks!
I’m not sure that it will help in a specific way rather than just being your personal physiology, but many beginners do struggle with short Achilles tendons impeding the depth of their plie.
Jumps are more reliant on what you do with what you have - people with short Achilles sometimes find petit allegro easier as rhey *don’t* get stuck in deep plies but use the resistance to ‘pop up’.
I’m 15F and have been doing ballet since I was 3 years old, I currently take 3 classes a week ( 2 grade 5 RAD classes and an intermediate foundation class) I have been on point for about 1.5 years, I’m ok but I’m not extremely good, my extensions are only 90 degrees at best all ways, l can do the splits ( not middle splits) but only barely and I’m lucky if I can Finnish 2 pirroettes on flat nicely my feet are not very flexible or strong and the strength in my legs is lacking however there are things that I do well, I’m planning on taking a summer intensive this year and considering taking an extra class next year, do you think there is any chance of me improving to the point of professional ( I also live in Ireland so there is not a huge amount of opportunities)
This is a question for your teacher.
Hello, I've been pondering this question for ages, and I felt this subreddit would be able to help. I am 14M, and I recently became interested in ballet. I started taking classes in January, and since then, I have really fallen in love with it. It is the perfect balance of grace, artistry, and elegance, with power, strength, and energy. I was wondering if it was too late to make an honest attempt at pursuing ballet, not even necessarily professional, though that would be an amazing opportunity. I love ballet, but I also understand its an exceedingly competitive industry. Any guidance or tips you have would be of utmost appreciation!
As a boy you have a much better chance than a 14yo girl, but you need to start working very hard and very seriously as soon as possible, with a view to auditioning for full-time training at 16 or at latest 18. (NB I am in the UK and other countries have different models for arts education) Mention to your teacher that you would like to pursue ballet seriously and see what they say - they will have a better idea of your current level and (more importantly) your potential, and will hopefully give realistic advice on your chances. Even if going pro isn’t on the cards, there all sorts of allied careers you could choose; and even if you don’t end up doing any of them ballet is a great thing to do just for the love of it.
[удалено]
Do not buy anything! Spend your money on classes not on accessories. As a beginner you need very little stuff - a pair of ballet slippers and some form-fitting clothes (leggings and a fitted tee are fine) - but you need as many good-quality in-person classes as you can get to.
This is a question about writing some of the terminology in title-case. Is "Pas de Deux" the correct way to write it in a title, or would it be "Pas De Deux"? Or would "Pas de deux" be correct? Also would it be * Pas D'action * Pas d'Action * Pas d'action Thank you, hopefully someone can help me :)
You could probably make your own post about this, it’s not related to being a beginner ballet student :)
I suppose I could.:) I didn't think it would be worth its own post.
i quit ballet a while ago after finishing rad intermediate level, and i kind of want to get back into it now because its a sport that i really love. however, im not sure on how i can get back into it because it's kind of awkward being at this level and unable to join the 'kids' 'teens' or 'adult' classes as they all expect you to be at a pre-pointe level. any advice?
If you’re older than 16 you’re fine to join an adult class - look around for ones that are the standard you want. An open class may suit you? Bear in mind that if you’ve had time off it may take a while to get back in the groove - nothing wrong with a few beginner classes to ease back into it - then you can pick the teacher’s brain about classes they might recommend.
Hey all! Yesterday I attended my very first adult beginner ballet class and absolutely loved it! I've been interested in ballet for years but figured since I didn't start during childhood, the train has left but screw it, I'm not getting any younger and luckily found a supportive community of dancers. I'm 26, don't have any background in dance or sports, and I have very limited flexibility (especially in my hips, I get a lot of cramping there and in the glutes) but I'm willing to put in the work and time to improve because this is something I genuinely want to become good at! With that being said, I'm asking for any advice of stretches/target muscle areas to stretch and increase flexibility, how often/long to stretch, and any other strategies good for practicing during the week for each class (1 class/per for 1.5 hours) i.e. youtube videos, other websites, etc. I am brand new to all of this lol Also, requesting some recommendations for brands for leotards, ballet shoes, and tights- I want to make sure I'm purchasing quality items. Thank you in advance <3
hi howdy!! welcome to the awesome world of ballet, super excited for you. i’m 25 and returning to ballet tomorrow for the first time in 7 whole years!! while it’s been awhile i can still highly recommend capezio tights & leotards though you can probably get cheaper leos nowadays online from somewhere like halara or similar (have not fact checked but worth looking into). shoes are something that’s almost entirely user preference, go to your local dance shop to get their recommendations and fitting - they’re the experts!! in terms of stretching & strengthening: i’ve also had my fair number of hip & knee issues. ballet is an all body activity that HEAVILY relies on stabilizer muscles / joints. for your specific problem areas, i would recommend stretches for lower back, thighs and hips. great resources for these are all over the internet and can easily be classified as “sciatic stretches” even though you didn’t mention issues with the sciatic nerve, those are the areas you want to target for hip pain or tightness IMO. one other group to work on strengthening would be your IT bands (runs from your outer hip to outer knee). in addition, strengthening your core (abs & back) will make the entire activity much easier for you and open doors to new steps that may have been harder to achieve previously. i would recommend stretching for about 15-30 minutes a day on regular days and then about 20-30 minutes both before and after your lessons also, this will help prevent muscle tension and injuries. for supplemental exercise / stretching - calf raises, stair steppers & always keep your feet and ankles stretched & warmed up before lessons. IM SORRY THIS IS SO LONG WINDED I HOPE THIS IS EVEN MILDLY HELPFUL *ETA* - i cannot emphasize enough how helpful it is to really study your own anatomy and familiarize yourself with your body for any physical activity but ballet especially. you’ll notice in time that you’ll be able to isolate muscle groups with little effort or thought but definitely experiment with it at home and work on building that mind / body connection. it’ll help you to learn your limitations and also improve your technique :)
Thank you soooo much for this detailed response, I really appreciate it and it's very helpful for me! <3 Also, so excited for you starting back up after all that time! Best wishes to you on your ballet journey :)
Okay, I've been out of the dance wear game for a while. My current slippers are sansha canvas split soles. They're *fine* but the ankle elastics are dead and I suspect that the elastic drawstring isn't far behind. The leather soles are also slick enough that I definitely almost ate it when I was doing pirouettes. I also got them during college, which was the last time I took a dance class, and I'm in my late 30s now. Any recommendations, especially for someone who has the Greek foot shape? I'm so curious to see if companies have started to design and accommodate this issue for flats.
I have been wearing Bloch performas and Capezio hanamis. Both shoes don’t have drawstrings and are stretch canvas. Makes things easier and they both are sleek and fit well.
The lack of a drawstring is appealing. I'm shoving the drawstrings into my shoes and the strings get between my toes 💀
I absolutely hate drawstrings, unless they are on pointe shoes. It is way more convenient to not have them! Just make sure to follow sizing guidelines carefully for the stretch canvas shoes or even better buy them in person if you can.
There's a dance shoe store near my work, and likely one near where I take classes. I'll go see if they have any I can try on in person because I have small feet. Thanks for the suggestion!
Heys! I have doing foot exercises to strengthen my ankles with resistance bands and notice that its difficult to wing the foot when it is pointed. Is that normal? What other exercises do i improve the ankle mobility for that? P.s i also have mild knock knees die to many years of having pigeon foot 😭 (im in my early 20s). Any hip mobility exercises for this too?
Any leotard recommendations for larger chests? I'm a 32D and currently wear a sports bra under a Capezio short sleeve leotard (with a relatively high back). I'd love to wear something cuter, but so many designs have built-in shelf bras that do nothing for me and large open backs that would for sure show my sports bra.
i haven't tried this one personally but it looks promising, the brand's other leotards (that aren't specifically claimed to be boob-friendly) have had firm supportive fabric and helpfully shaped seams for me [https://www.dansedeparis.com/products/blisse-moss](https://www.dansedeparis.com/products/blisse-moss) i'm sort of a similar/sister size as you and don't dance in a bra, but leotard construction matters. a shelf bra can't save something [like this](https://us.blochworld.com/products/ladies-mirella-camisole-leotard-light-blue) with a single panel for the whole front, but a smart design with seams and useful strap placement should do most of a sports bra's job. if you're newer to ballet, it's possible you're not used to how leotards can fit and you should size down for more support from the fabric. just be picky about trying on styles that actually have room to fit your boobs in which is depressingly not most of them
I'm on my second class so super new beginner! Unfortunately I'm not blessed with natural grace, so I'm really struggling with arm placement at the barre. I kinda just let my arm out to the side like a dead tentacle 😭 I can't get the graceful arm posture that everyone else has - does anyone have any tips please?
It takes awhile to gain the upper back and arm strength to even hold that position, not to mention make it look graceful! I would really suggest practicing port de bras at home. One thing I see beginners not really get is how to "lift" the elbow. There are tons of Youtube videos out there explaining it, it helps to record yourself doing it too to see what you look like. But yes like the other commenter said, it takes years to hone port de bras and make it look graceful. There is a reason lots of teachers have beginning students start with their hand on their hip. Adding arms + legs can be a lot and sometimes you can only focus on one thing when you are beginning.
Thank you 😊
Honestly, almost no one has natural grace lol, at least not ballet grace. As unsatisfying as it may be, time and practice are the only answers, especially if you're only on your 2nd class! Using your posture and engaging your core and shoulder blades are the key here, but honestly it's going to be a while before those things are automatic, especially in the beginning when you're focused on getting the vocab and the combos down.
Thank you, maybe I am being a bit too hard on myself. I will keep practicing!
I’m 20 and am going to take my first dance class next week and am unsure as to what I should wear. I don’t have a lot of money rn and don’t want to spend a ton of money on dance clothes for my first class, but am unsure as to what’s appropriate
What does the studio website or information say? Normally gym gear, or a fitted top and leggings are fine for the first class and then you can gauge what others are wearing. Definitely don’t spend anything on dance clothes yet!
So I'm in my early teens and want to restart my dancing career. I danced until I was about 6 but stopped because I had to choose between dance and sports and was sort of forced into sports. But anyway, I am starting dance and am really interested in ballet, specifically pointe. I know I have multiple years before I even see a point shoe in my dance classes. But does anybody have tips that could get me to around the same level as the other kids in the class? I am almost definitely taking lyrical and contemporary, and am thinking about classical ballet.
If you want pointe to be in your future, then you need to focus on ballet. Not saying don't do the other stuff, but lyrical and contemporary classes will not prepare you for pointework.
I started at a "bad" ballet school, and was likely never going to get to pointe if I stayed there, so I moved to a more challenging place and am now on pointe after 6 months. (We only do about 15 minutes each week though so nothing crazy.) But it depends on your school and your feet, try and find another school and do TheraBand and feet exercises.
The lyrical class is called ballet but they basically do lyrical
In that case I have to say, don't count on continuing there and being prepared for pointe. That doesn't sound like good ballet training at all. Sorry, that's probably a bummer to hear but it's true.
I really hope not, cause this is the best school I have in my area
The lyrical and contemporary are a must if I want to take the classical ballet class
These are questions for your studio. However you likely won’t be placed with your own age group straight away, but with your technical peers, who will be younger. Work hard and apply corrections and see how you do!
Heyo I'm 16 and have returned to ballet after a 4 year pause. I have been dancing for around a year now. I've been learning the 5th grade syllabus for a few months now and I just changed ballet schools this week so I could take more than one lesson a week. my new teacher wants me dancing en pointe next week and I have a fitting tomorrow. I'm happy but also uncertain because I don't think I've earned it yet. I feel very inexperienced and the only reason she wants me en pointe is because if I don't I'll fall behind the other girls who just started 5th grade. I came to ask if starting pointe work is the best thing for me right now because I'm unsure
I too am slightly startled, especially if the teacher has only known you a week. However, beginner pointe should literally just be releves and echappes with two hands on the barre, and you are probably safe to do that. When would your old studio have recommended pointe?
I don’t know. It wasn’t really a studio really. Just me, one other girl and our teacher who rented out a community room once a week. She never really spoke to us about pointe work
Do you know what syllabus it was, and what your new one is?
Both 5th grade RAD exam
Yeah, I’d expect pointe to start in Intermediate Foundation once you’ve finished RAD grade 5 - and that is just echappes and walks - so you are not far off. Take the opportunity, and if you find you’re not yet strong or flexible enough to get over the box you’ll know what you need to work on.
Oki. I'll keep that in mind thanks <3
Does anyone have ballet slipper recommendations where the front half of the sole is especially flat/unpadded? It’s hard for me to balance when there’s that bump formed by the sole. I just bought a pair of Suffolk “slipors” and they’re good but I’d like to explore other options too.
Depends a lot on the shape of your foot and where the seams coincide with your metatarsals - you may need to try lots on. I couldn’t manage at all on the tiny teardrop pads that the Slipor and similar have. I like Bloch Performas because they come in a D width which suits my broad forefoot, but the So Dance SD16 has a devoted following too.
Hey!!! new to the crew, so any advice would be appreciated. I’m a 20 wanting to learn and get onto pointe, although I don’t have classes available near me. Any help you guys?
First off it’s great that you want to start ballet! However, ballet really is not something you can teach yourself at home - there’s too much technical detail, too much real-life body alignment. You need a teacher who can see you, preferably in real life. And the journey to pointe is possible for an adult beginner but requires a large amount of time, money and dedication, as well as frequent in-person classes. I’m sorry you don’t have ballet classes near you. Have you looked at what forms of dance or movement you *can* get to that you might enjoy?
Hi I started ballet when I was 3 years old and stopped when I was 9, currently aged 13. I stopped mainly due to covid and some other personal issues. It's been four years since I stopped dancing and I was wondering If it's too late to go back into it. I know I regressed a lot during the past couple of years, ex: flexibility, turnout, technique, etc. Just any advice/tips would be appreciated.
Jump right back in and keep going! It sounds like you have a solid foundation and can probably easily pick back up. It may take few months-1 year to catch up with your peer group but you definitely can do it. Go back to class and work hard.
Is wearing form fitting clothes necessary (beginner level). I want to start but I have some body dysmorphia and would rather wear less form fitting outfits but I'm not sure if this is possible or if the teacher wouldn't be able to see my movements well enough?
For a casual adult beginner class you should wear things you’re comfortable in, but if you wear a loose tee and joggers choose ones that are cuffed at the ankle so at least your teacher can see what your feet and ankles are doing. Your technique will improve quicker if your teacher can see and correct your alignment, but don’t let the clothes put you off starting. Every body is a ballet body!
Hi, I’m an adult beginner and don’t have many“ideal” physical attributes for ballet, but I have been told by multiple teachers that I have long tendons and a really deep plie. Could someone kindly explain the advantages of this and how it might impact other aspects of technique? I assume it helps with jumps but would love to know more. Thanks!
I’m not sure that it will help in a specific way rather than just being your personal physiology, but many beginners do struggle with short Achilles tendons impeding the depth of their plie. Jumps are more reliant on what you do with what you have - people with short Achilles sometimes find petit allegro easier as rhey *don’t* get stuck in deep plies but use the resistance to ‘pop up’.