Ballet!

Does anyone here dance ballet? I've always wanted to since I was a little girl so I signed up for it and will start in January. Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare for it? And is it a good work out too?

I used to (took it for seven years). It's a great workout that teaches you balance, coordination, and gives you great posture. I found that it helped strengthen core muscles, and gave me that long, lean look.

To prepare for it - just practice some stretches (especially ones focusing on hamstrings). Otherwise just enjoy it and have fun!

I took ballet for over 10 years, great excercise. Lots of deep stretching and repetition.  you will be sore, and your toes will hurt, but its worth it :)

Are leotards, ballet slippers and dancing tights expensive?

Fifteen years experience and yes, leotards are often expensive, as are the shoes. Please be careful and make sure that you are going to a reputable studio with a teacher who knows what they are doing. It's really easy to hurt yourself in dance- I went to a professional and not a single girl who came out of ballet was pain-free.

how funny... i ALWAYS wanted to pursue ballet as a little girl...

now im 23 in grad school and taking a balllet class next semester (starts january)!

lhtrahan... looks like we're in this journey together! lol

Yes I'm excited! =) I'm gonna ask for ballet slippers, a leotard and a skirt for Christmas haha.

Hi

I took ballet up again 18 months ago, having not done it in 6 years (i used to take it very seriously). i love it. You will probably find it much harder than you anticipate. The moves look simple enough but actually become quite intricate. Ive benefited a lot, 90 mins 3 times a week has toned me up and increased my fittness.

Depending on your studio i shouldnt think you need leotards and tights for the first few classes. I wear leotard, tights and hotpants most days but if you are just starting i would suggest leggings and a little tshirt or cami top. You need trousers short enough and tight enough that they show your legs and ankles, but they need to be very comfy to strech in. Shoes should be cheap as you just need the little canvas ones. Its unlikely you will ever do pointe as this is broken into at about 13 years. Go to a special dance shop and get them to fit a pair of shoes, make sure they arent to tight as your feet my swell a little during a workout.

You may want to strech a little before hand, but to be honest a weeks streching isnt going to prepare you, after the first class your bottom and legs will kill, but thats a good thing. Youll become more flexible, itll take a few months. Each class puch yourself a little more but dont strain anything.

My main teacher was the princple at the Bolshi (russia) so hes amazing but i cant understand a word he says. Depending on your school i would assume that the moves will be said in french (or russian/frech in my case) so youll need to learn these. Dont expect to learn straigh away but you can get books and videos (aimed at 6 year olds) that will teach you the basic moves.

Good luck and most importantly enjoy yourself. Youll get fit and tone up, but realise that actually becoming graceful takes a few months longer.

Let us know how your class went. and if you want some more advice drop me an email.

I started taking ballet classes again this year(though just once a week) after taking classes for 13 years and 3 years of not dancing at all. It was very hard to get back on track, but its so worth it. For me, ballet is complete exercice: you use ALL the muscles in your body in order to dance. People make it look easy-it is NOT easy at all.

 If you have never done it, it will be kinda hard to get your body to do the 'turn-out' as you call it. But dont give up, keep on working on it, and I'm sure you will get better every time. I have seen people start in their 30s and reaching a good level.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to help you more!

 

xxx

I took ballet from second grade through my junior year of college. It's been more than three years since I took a class and I've been feeling the ballet call a lot recently. I plan to get back into the studio in the new year.

As prep for your first class you might want to take a pilates class (great for stretching) or try out one of the New York City Ballet Workout DVDs. I believe NYCB Workout II was better at breaking down the basics.

been taking for 13 years. it's fantastic. great workout, and fun! not only do you work on flexibility/balance/good posture, but it helps you build SLENDER muscles so you're strong but lean (:

Cool I can't wait! I don't expect it to be super easy or anything, I know it takes practive and skill. But I've been wanting to join ballet for so long and hope to do it for years. (It was way too expensive in Germany, and there were not many ballet lessons available in Korea- the two places I grew up.) Not sure what happened when I moved to the States.

as every one else already stated, it's great exercise in building lean muscle, burning calories and good cardio, as well, but not as hardcore as running. and you get music! ^_^

needless to say, after 13 years I can only count in 4/4 time (haha) and my knees are a little out of whack.

I haven't danced for a year and a half but I'm going back home this winter to participate in my old company's production of the Nutcracker.  I'm pretty psyched.  I lost muscle tone and strength since I've stopped dancing.

as others have also stated, some light stretching and maybe jogging/some other type of cardio would help prepare you for class, easily.  plus it's not going to be super hard if you're a beginner.

good luck!

join my dance group on calorie count at the link below!

 

:)

http://caloriecount.about.com/ballet-tap-mode rn-jazz-g302

Hi! I've recently take it up myself!I enjoy it so much and everyone in my class is amazingly nice!Oh I recommend you get all ya dance gear off of Dance Direct. Their stuff is a good price and whenever i order something it comes in the next day.I Love ballet but to be honest I'm scared about my weight in that big theatre full of teeny tiny beautiful dancers! Have fun with Ballet! It's so fun and a great way to keep fit!

I also just got back into ballet, I did a little as a small child. I have been doing it about 4 months now and I love it. It gets harder, I am aiming to get on pointe my teacher thinks it should be possible for me (but I am aware some people can't).

I say go for it, also learn up on the french terms for movements as I still get confused!!!! If you are very unfit do some pilates or search youtube for beginner ballet stretches (they have heaps) and it will help.