to everyone that is hesitant about starting ballet because of their age or body type, it's never too late to start ballet or any type of dancing. I started ballet when I was 16 and I was just put with the girls my age. I had to work a lot harder but I'm now almost at the same level as everyone else. I also went en pointe after one year.

Ballet is very rewarding. There's something about dancing that just makes you feel great. So whether you think you should or not, just do it. You won't regret it, and don't worry about what people may think of you. (everyone secretly wants to dance so they're just jealous. :D )

i'm 14 years old and i'm not flexible. my mom says that ballet classes are too expensive, but i love ballet so much. What can i do?

I just moved and am starting ballet in the town I live in now. One day I hope to be a professional dancer, hopefully a prima ballerina, but my old teacher said I have a future in dance but need to practice more. Does anyone know what I should weigh if I want a future in dance? Does anyone have any ideas of that can help me become more flexible, balanced, or have any great tips? Thanks!

I love ballet. I did ballet when I was 6 and 8. I just moved and am trying ballet where I live now. I want to be a professional dancer when I am older but my dance classmates don't take it that seriously and we don't get anywhere. Any ideas about things I can practice at home without music every day?

I am 14 now and i want to do ballet. i have done the basics at the age of 5 but then my teacher left and i had to stop. I want to go for lessons again, but I fear that it might be hard for me. if you have any suggestions, please help.

I am 16 and i would love to do ballet but i am not what you would call a skinny girl, and i would love to be a dancer. is there any chance i could still do ballet?

I'm 14 years old and I'm not that flexible. I've tried to do splits but i just can't do it. I never danced ballet before but i always wanted to dance no matter what. I have had a big dream in becoming a ballerina ever since i was little but my mom always told me that the classes were too expensive. People always make fun of me when i told them what i want to become, but their opinions don't matter to me. I would like to have advice, to know if i could still dance even though I'm not flexible enough and the classes being to expensive. Please help me. i need to know if there's still a possibility in making my dream come true. Please help me!

Ok, i am 13, almost 14 now, and I really want to join ballet, but I'm really embarrassed. I am a tomboy and I've never liked anything girly in my life and both my parents know that, but now i don't want to tell them because it will be really embarrassing. Also, when you say ballet school, do you mean an actual school for ballet or just like a class for a few hours?

I have already posted a note, the one that starts 'i am 12 turning 13 in 2 months in october.' I would really like to start ballet as I already explained. I have loved it all my life. When I was younger I did gymnastics but love ballet as well. I stopped gymnastics and my passion for ballet grew. I am very flexible still. Please can someone help me? It would help a lot. Thanks.

I am 12 years old turning 13 in 2 months in october. when I was younger I loved reading about ballet and pretending to be a ballerina. I was walking along the street were I went to do some shopping with my mum when I saw some ballet shoes and said to my mum I would like to start. What age do you have to be to start ballet and do you dance in age groups and levels or just the level you are at? please help me

to all of you girls who have posted comments about taking ballet, its never too late to start. A few things to look for are the teachers at the shcool, make sure they're firm and teach but are not too intense or "into it'', also look what kind of floors the studio has basket weave floors are the best. also for the bun you could go to a hair stylist and ask he/she which is the easiest way to make a bun in your hair, the last thing i want to say is for class to keep your mind off of other things picture yourself being the best dancer in the world (works for me) thanks

I am 15 but and I really want to start ballet. I did it when I was much younger and therefore don't remember anything. I can go on point and do the splitz but thats pretty much it! Would any ballet school accept me? And if they did would I be dancing with Babies?

I want to do ballet. but im 15!!! do i have to start with babies? I have done it before and I can go on point but I forget all the positions.

I am 14 years old and i really want to start ballet. My friend gave me her point shoes and I can dance in them but I am to embaressed to start classes. If I started ballet at my age would it be with 3 and 4 year old?

I'm 12 years old and am turning 13 next year. I really love ballet. When i was 5 I started ballet lessons then added tap and jazz. I quit when i was 8 because I had had enough.

I really want to start agian but not sure if I will be too old.

I'm 12 and *really* want to do ballet.

The thing is, I'm highly embarrassed to tell my mum. She says I'm built for sports and only that all the time. While I was 9-11 I was so tomboyish and despised things like ballet. Now, Ive seen stuff like it on tv, in books, I even saw a performance at my school from an arts school. I really want to do it, I even cried last night cause I'm sooo scared to tell her cause she might laugh or yell. Help.

to all you girls on your 10,11,12,13,14, and older to love ballet and join a school is never too late. it's actually possible to start and still have a great future in Ballet. just search the right studio and teacher. also there are lots of introductory ballet lessons offered trough city parks and recreation centers all around the u.s. the old method of teaching ballet is out-dated and wrong. they just create lots of loss in self-esteem and excessive concern about body weight and they are too rigid and harsh and that is not healthy neither to your wonderful mind and body.

good luck anon,kolokolo,lululinasey and the rest, if you love to dance go ahead and dance just find the right studio keep searching do not give up. rzzk

I'm 12 going on 13, and I really want to dance ballet. I danced ballet when I was 5 but I quit in less than 3 months. I regret that decision so much. I still remember certain things, I can still stand on my toes but only for a short time. I am pretty agile and flexible. I want to tell my parents that I want to do ballet again, but this time I won't give up, but I'm afraid I lost my chance. Am I still old enough?

i am 13 and it is like mid-school year and i really want to start in ballet. there seem to be some problems however.

1.) i used to do karate and my parents especially my mom do not think i will like and think that i should just give up my goal.

2.) i have super long hair and i dont know how to put it up in a bun (i dont know how to make a bun at all actually ~^.^~)

3.) i am a very <-- pay extra attention to the word, very loud and it is sometimes hard for me to sit still and listen however i love ballet

4.) i dont know why i have gotten so interested in ballet but when i think about me doing it in the future i get so excited and i just want to do it now!! thats another reason my parents dont want me to do it becuase i cant give her a reason for wanting to do it.

if you have any ideas on helping me or for answering a question you think i didnt remember to write please reply or w.e you do to help people. please and thank you =]

im 13 years old i liked ballet when im just 10 years old.. im not that flexible but a have the body of a ballerina. can i join a ballet class even though im 13 is it ok....

im 19 years old. i used to dance ballet when i was little girl and quit when i was younger. i was thinking to get another chance to ballet, but i am not sure if i am old enough to start ballet. i would love to ballet!

lululindsey: i think you should go for it, regardless of if you or your mom don't think you have the "right" body type for ballet. while your mom may be right to be concerned about the pressures you may face to conform to certain body-type standards some people in the industry hold, you should try it and see if you like it. don't let something like that keep you from pursuing what you love!

Hi, i am a pre-teen and i have loved to dance since i was 3 or 4 but never got the chance. my mom is finally debating it but i just wanted to know if my body type wouldn't be good for ballet. i have short legs, a regular sized torso, in between neck, and a small/regular sized head. My legs are athletic.....and a little chubby. But i love ballet! What do you think?

i am 15 years old i am wondering if i am to old to start ballet like it said in the article the best age to start ballet is 3 or 4 years of age. i am very short and i also do athletics so i am have very muscular legs so if they might not look very good. so is staring ballet a good option for me?

To Anon10587--

It might be a little late to become a classically trained ballerina, but many people don't learn to dance until they are in their teens, and many of them get very good with lots of practice. Try to look for a school near your home, or a dance studio that offers lots of different classes you can try out to see what kind of dancing you love the best!

To anon12724--

If you love sports, then ballet is great. It is an extreme sport and requires lots of physical strength and accuracy. Football players often use ballet as a way to learn muscle control and coordination. You shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed. Moreover, don't let other people tell you what you should and shouldn't be. You're ten now and it's time to start deciding who you are on your own. Sometimes parents, even the best parents in the world, make the mistake of thinking their child is only "one" kind of thing. "She's the tomboy one, or she's the girly one, or she's the smart one." They're also trying to figure out who you are, but these labels can be hard when you find you're not just a single thing. You have lots of dimensions and layers, and you can BECOME whatever you would like.

Maybe you could use this response to talk with your parents about how you'd like to explore ballet. At ten, you're also changing and growing. It's a great time to explore new things and learn about the many gifts you have. If your parents will allow it, maybe you could take an introductory class at a local Parks and Recreation center to see if you do enjoy it. These are usually inexpensive and a good way to try out something new.

I'm ten and really want to start ballet, but I'm nervous to ask my parents because they think I love sports and am a total tomboy! I'm not! I have spent countless hours looking up leotards and ballet slippers without my parents knowing. I really wish I was a ballerina!

When i was 3 years old my mom enrolled me to a ballet school, but we moved to a new house and my mom can no longer take me to my classes. Now i'm already 16 years old and i really wanted to learn ballet or any type of dance so bad, i just realize how much fun dancing can give me! Is it too late for me know to enroll myself in a dance school?

I'm 10 as well and I would really like to start ballet, my sister started when she was 3 and she really enjoys it. I wanted to start when I was 2 but I was too nervous to do the lesson in front of all the parents.

please i'm 10 yrs old and i really want ballet lessons so please i love to dance as well