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What Should I Know About Taking an Adult Ballet Class?

K T Solis
K T Solis

People who do not enjoy going to the gym in order to workout should consider attending an adult ballet class. Regularly attending an adult ballet class provides several benefits. Ballet improves posture, increases flexibility, encourages weight loss, and challenges both the body and mind.

Spending an hour in ballet class helps people forget the stresses and worries of the outside world. This is because performing ballet correctly requires complete concentration. It's nearly impossible to worry about outside matters when a dancer is trying to perform a movement or step to the best of her ability.

Ballet improves flexibility.
Ballet improves flexibility.

Once a person decides to attend an adult ballet class, she must make sure she enrolls in a class that suits her level. Beginners should attend a basic beginning class. It's important to observe a class before deciding to enroll in it, since schools vary in their definition of a "beginner." It can be frustrating to try to keep up in a class if the students are more advanced. The dance instructor should be able to help a beginner decide which class is best for her.

Ballet, which gained popularity in France, is a type of performing arts.
Ballet, which gained popularity in France, is a type of performing arts.

Adult ballet classes usually allow students to wear any type of clothing for the class; however, it's best if an adult student wears tight-fitting clothing. This allows the dance instructor to see if the dancer is positioned incorrectly. Women's typical clothing for a ballet class includes a leotard and tights, but shorts, leggings and yoga pants can also be worn. Men can wear a t-shirt, sweat pants, or shorts.

Beginners should not wear pointe shoes.
Beginners should not wear pointe shoes.

Shoes are an important piece of equipment in the dancer's life. They are made from either canvass or leather. New adult students should buy their dance shoes at a dancewear store. The employees at the dancewear store can help the dancer find shoes that properly fit. New dancers should avoid purchasing ballet shoes from an online store since it's impossible to try them on before purchasing the shoes. Women should not wear pointe shoes — blocked shoes that allow the dancer to stand on the tips of the toes — if they are beginners. Wearing pointe shoes requires years of training so that the muscles become strong enough to withstand the strain of dancing on point.

Ballet can help those who struggle with coordination.
Ballet can help those who struggle with coordination.

Remember to wear the hair away from the face and neck. Some dancers with long hair pull it into a bun. Others braid it or put it in a ponytail. At any rate, hair should never be allowed to whip about the face in ballet class. It can obscure the vision and looks unprofessional in the dance studio.

Adult students should arrive early for an adult ballet class so they have ample time to stretch before the class starts. A typical ballet class begins at the barre, a long rail attached to the wall. Opposite the barre is a full length mirror that allows dancers to check to see if they are holding their bodies correctly. Students perform a series of leg and arm movements while holding the barre for support.

Ballet may help improve a person's posture.
Ballet may help improve a person's posture.

After the barre, the students progress to the middle of the floor for center work. In the center, dancers work on balance and footwork. First they begin with slow, adagio movements. Gradually the exercises move to quicker movements, turns, and jumps. The class usually lasts for one hour. After each class, dancers are left with sore muscles.

Remember that each person learns at her own pace. Do not be intimidated by those in an adult ballet class who seem to learn more quickly or appear to be more flexible. Don't force the body into positions that it cannot do. This will only lead to injury. It's important that an adult ballet student focuses on developing her own mastery of ballet, as ballet is an art that requires gradual progression of skill level. Concentrate on molding a strong, healthy body. Ballet will assist in this goal. Committing to ballet classes two or three times a week will help an adult lose weight, improve posture, elongate the body, develop toned muscles, and build self esteem.

Discussion Comments

sunshine31

Sunny27-I would love to take a ballroom dance class. It is so beautiful on television to see people dancing the ballroom style of dancing.

You really have to be light on your feet because the movements can be quite intricate at times. I think that ballet is an excellent form of dance to learn even if it is such for the sheer exercise because it is harder than it looks.

Sunny27

Bhutan-I think that dancing is great exercise. What I would like to see a mom and daughter dance class. Offering dance classes for kids with their moms is really nice.

This would be especially great for preteen girls and their moms. You can even take a hip hop or ballet class together. It really gives you something in common in a time when girls are starting to move away from their parents and rely more on their peer group.

Bhutan

A beginner’s ballet class is a good idea for anyone looking to participate in this form of exercise. If you do not have experience with Pilates then I would look at taking a free ballet lesson initially to see if you are comfortable.

A ballet class for beginners will introduce the introductory poses that might feel a strange at first. If you find that this is not for you, you can always sign up for a salsa class.

Salsa is a Latin style of dancing in which you are constantly moving your hips side to side and it is a great workout and really a lot of fun.

Ballet is different because it requires deep concentration as you hold various poses. You will develop a leaner body, but it is not easy.

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    • Ballet improves flexibility.
      By: Aleksandr Doodko
      Ballet improves flexibility.
    • Ballet, which gained popularity in France, is a type of performing arts.
      By: KABUGUI
      Ballet, which gained popularity in France, is a type of performing arts.
    • Beginners should not wear pointe shoes.
      By: Massimo Paradiso
      Beginners should not wear pointe shoes.
    • Ballet can help those who struggle with coordination.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      Ballet can help those who struggle with coordination.
    • Ballet may help improve a person's posture.
      By: milan2099
      Ballet may help improve a person's posture.
    • Choosing the right ballet shoes can help protect the feet against injuries.
      By: NorGal
      Choosing the right ballet shoes can help protect the feet against injuries.
    • Taking an adult ballet class may help an individual tone her legs.
      By: VladGavriloff
      Taking an adult ballet class may help an individual tone her legs.