How To Begin Ballet as an Adult

Have you always dreamed of taking ballet classes but now you feel it's too late?There is nothing to worry about, being an adult doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your childhood dream of learning ballet dance. If you have the passion for ballet, there is nothing that can stop you from learning ballet dance as an adult.

While learning the fundamental techniques of ballet you will find that ballet is not just a beautiful dance form but also an outstanding way to tone muscles and increase flexibility and balance.

Here are some starting points to help you on your way to learn ballet as an adult.

Assess Your Physical Fitness

Make sure you are physically fit to take on exercise.As with any new form of exercise or physical action you should be confident of your fitness level. Ballet requires a lot of stretching, flexibility, and strength so if you have any problem you should speak to your instructor before starting.

Find the Right Dance School for YOU

Many ballet schools offer ballet classes for beginners and for adult dancers.

Speak to your instructor about your dance level to find the right class for your needs, but most importantly take the time to try out ballet classes from different schools. Do not feel bad about trying different ballet schools. One school's beginner class may be too fast paced or too slow paced for you.

You need to find what works for you.

Here are a few places to start your search:

Check your local ballet company. Many professional ballet companies also offer classes for the adult community

Try searching “ballet” or “dance” on yelp. Believe it or not yelp is a great resource with reviews from other adult dancers

Dance Magazine offers an online directory listing of dance classes

Many adult dance classes are held at night to help those who work during the day.

Look for Clothes that Makes You Feel Comfortable

There is no need to start with a tutu.You will need to check with your ballet school on the dress code, but most do not require adults to wear a tutu or leotard. You can always start with gym gear or just a t-shirt and sweat pants if you like – there is no need to splurge until you're sure this is right for you.

Select the Right Shoes

Ballet wouldn't be ballet without the right shoes, and this is one thing you shouldn't hold back on. Always buy quality leather or canvas ballet shoes.It is essential to take the time to buy shoes that are a good fit. Speak to your dance school about local dancewear stores. Once you have found a good pair of shoes and the right size, you can then buy online to save money.

Don't go for Pointe shoes immediately as they are for the professionals and discuss advanced dancers.You should wait until your ballet teacher says you are ready for Pointe before you jump into it. It is easy to injure yourself if you go on Pointe too early.

You will also need to buy and stitch on the elastic yourself to wear the shoes. If you have never done any sewing, don't be afraid!There are many YouTube videos such as How to Attach Elastic Ballet Shoes by Sarah Shoemaker, director of Ensworth School of Dance.

In total the ballet shoes and elastic can cost about $30-$40.

Speak to your teacher after class

It's important to get Feedback on your progress as it allows you to identify the areas that need further work and concentration.

Follow these tips to get started with your ballet classes.Taking part in ballet classes will make you feel amazing as it is a great exercise both for the body and mind. So don't hold yourself back and follow your passion.