Starting Ballet as an Adult: An Anecdotal Look at Why You Should
If you’ve just typed into Google a search criteria similar to the above heading, hello kindred spirit!
I too did similar research about seven years ago. I hadn’t taken any classes as a child, only really coming to appreciate the art form later in life, but it took me about nine long years to sum up the courage to try a class. Why? For reasons that you might relate to: I didn’t really know what to expect; I would have to try new things in front of total strangers; I would have to wear clothing I wasn’t comfortable in; and, horror of horrors, what if I was really, really bad?
So, if you’re nodding your head, let’s address some of these issues.
What to expect at a ballet class
Wherever you go, worldwide, you will find that ballet classes all have a very similar structure. To begin with, everyone will take their place along the ballet barre and work through a series of exercises designed to warm up, stretch and strengthen the body. Then to ‘centre work’. We move away from the barre into the centre of the studio and continue to warm up, working on more basic, slow exercises, progressing to slightly faster and more intense ones, through to the grand allegro which means the ‘big lively’—fast, fun steps and big jumps. The final exercise of the class is called the reverance in which teachers will incorporate a bit of a stretch and, traditionally, a curtsy and a thank you to the teacher and, if you’re luckier still, the pianist.
The worry of feeling inadequate
The fear of trying new things in front of total strangers is something we’ve probably all experienced in many mediums, like doing a presentation in a new work environment or even trying out a new gym class. Ballet will hold a special set of fears—all these weird and wonderful movements with very precise positioning of legs, arms and head. But there are three things to remember when you feel like you’re the only one struggling:
Every single person in the class has felt like that;
The more you practice, the more the positioning becomes natural; and
No one is there to judge you—everyone is there because they love it, they want to learn and they want to focus on their own progression.
I have attended several different classes over the years and in every one there are people of all different levels of experience. Everyone fits in because everyone is different. Although it initially might feel a bit intimidating, having people with more experience in your class is a good thing—watch them and learn from them.
And when it comes to that worry of not understanding the technical terms: a good teacher will break down steps and encourage you to practice them over and over again, most likely over the course of several weeks. All the while, they’ll be repeating the term and without really noticing you’ll find yourself remembering it.
“Do I really have to wear Lycra?”
The short answer is no. Wear clothing you will feel comfortable in, but I would say make sure you’re able to move freely in it, you’ll be kicking your legs high, and most ballet teachers would prefer it if they can see the shape of your knees and ankles so they can check your joints are in alignment and you’re not about to do yourself harm.
I would like to take a moment to reflect on the body confidence ballet has given me. Prior to starting classes, I didn’t even wear short skirts never mind consider cavorting about in a bikini. However, here’s a snap from a holiday three years after I set out on my ballet journey:
So you may well start out in long tracksuit pants and a baggy t-shirt, as I did, but soon you’ll be eyeing out those ballet skirts on sale and wondering about pink tights.
Health benefits
Talk of body confidence leads me to the many health benefits that come from regular attendance at a ballet class.
A complete workout
A class provides a full workout as it includes strengthening, toning and bursts of cardio. You will find your flexibility increases and that all important core is very much a focus, building the strength and maintaining it to secure and protect the body and help create better ballet lines.
A strong core also means better posture. Personally, the final ‘kick in the pants’ to try a ballet class was a photograph in which I resembled, as I like to say, Quasimodo’s less attractive sister. I hadn’t realised quite how bad my posture had become over the years of slumping over a computer or slouching on the couch. Today I’m not convinced the resemblance to Quasimodo has gone entirely, but a friend made a passing comment about my ‘ballerina spine’ the other day. That’s progress!
Actually, it is very interesting to see one’s own progression over time. Initially I recall struggling to lift my leg past 45° and being out of breath after the first petit allegro. Not so any more! Sadly my leg will never reach the heights of, say, Sylvie Guillem, but above 90° is not bad, and my stamina is such that I am now able to get through petit allegro quite comfortably.
Good for the body, good for the brain
Ballet is also extremely good for mental health. Recent studies have shown that regular exercise is one of the key combatants in the fight against dementia:
“Several studies looking at the effect of aerobic exercise (exercise that increases your heart rate) in middle-aged or older adults have reported improvements in thinking and memory, and reduced rates of dementia. ...
Combining the results of 11 studies shows that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia by about 30 per cent. For Alzheimer's disease specifically, the risk was reduced by 45 per cent.” (Alzheimer’s Society, “Science behind headlines: How to reduce your risk and other popular topics”)
In a ballet class, not only is your body getting that aerobic exercise and that wonderful boost of endorphins, you are also exercising your brain by learning the coordination required and gradually building up the capacity to remember choreography. And a whole essay can be written on the mental benefits of music itself.
Also in terms of mental health, I have found some really excellent friends in all my various classes, several of whom have seen me through tough times.
The short version
There really are so many good things that come from a ballet class, not the least of which is learning an art form that is beautiful and that you have probably been admiring for a long time. If you have been considering trying a class but have been distracted by that nagging voice of fear, I hope this has helped you a little. There is no good reason not to try. I did and six years later I was taking an RAD Intermediate exam.
Go on—go along and see what might happen.