Adult Ballet – Is it for me?
There is a genuine “buzz” around current opportunities for adults in ballet. For the uninitiated though, there is still a great deal of mystery surrounding the world of ballet and limited understanding of what ballet training involves for an adult student. How do you know if adult ballet classes might be for you? Consider the following questions and your answer could be revealed…
Do I enjoy a challenge?
Ballet is immensely rewarding, there is no doubt. It is possibly the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do. However it is hard! Professional dancers train for most of their lives to make even the most demanding steps appear effortless. Training your body to move differently requires effort and patience as new pathways are created between the brain and the muscles. Small improvements are to be celebrated! It’s a long journey but if you enjoy applying yourself to reach a goal, you’ll revel in the challenges of classical technique.
Do I want a deeper sense of reward from my exercise?
Do you ever leave the gym feeling physically tired but emotionally unsatisfied? Do you find yourself seeking a more fulfilling experience; that unique activity where your body, mind, heart and soul are equally engaged? In a ballet class you’ll be transported to another place by the romance of the French terminology along with the glorious music and technical artistry. Adult ballet classes provide the student with so much more than just exercise!
Did I want to learn ballet as a child – or – do I miss my childhood classes?
Many adults carry unfulfilled dreams from childhood. The opportunity to learn ballet as an adult is a wonderful gift to give yourself. The 90 minutes in the ballet studio is a sacred time where you can lose yourself completely. It is the place to explore new challenges or to reconnect with an activity you loved in years gone by. There is no need to live with the regret of what once was, or might have been. Ballet can be a wonderful part of your adult life.
Do I enjoy activities that require attention to detail and personal application?
Classical ballet is layered with detail and is full of rules, rules and more rules. Personalities (like mine!) that revel in detail and enjoy working within a structure, will adore ballet classes. If discovering the “why” and “how” of an activity is appealing to you, the journey of ballet will provide endless rewards. If long periods of personal application, be it to study, a job, raising a child, etc., bring you a sense of satisfaction, then delving into classical technique will be an absolute joy.
Am I willing to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new?
In the early stages of ballet training, very little of the technique will feel comfortable or natural. It is expected that adult beginners may feel uncoordinated during the early months of classes. Returning dancers may feel frustration at what their body can no longer achieve compared to their teenage years. If you can acknowledge those feelings and then let them go, the joy of participating in a ballet class will take over.
Do I want to join a community of like-minded people?
The ballet class is a great equaliser. Camaraderie develops in every class as all the participants struggle and strive in equal measure. To feel connected by a common goal, to share a passion for ballet and to support one another as we rise to every challenge….belonging to the ballet community is rewarding.
Do I need to de-stress?
Honestly, who doesn’t? An unexpected benefit of adult ballet classes is the phenomenal release of stress that takes place. It is well-documented that exercise helps to relieve stress, though it is even more so in a ballet class. For 90 minutes the brain and body are so deeply focussed on the task at hand that all of life’s stressors melt away. The concentration combined with the physical exertion leave students feeling tired, yet positively uplifted by the end of class.
Do I deserve “me time”?
Of course you do! Indulge yourself and join an adult ballet class. You’ll never look back.