The Ballet Bible

Starting ballet again… where should I start?

I have always been in awe of ballet and danced everywhere I went when I was 6 I began lessons at two schools one was a school that was more for doing different things when one was through my school and affiliated with the *”"******* school of Ballet and it was just training to do everything perfectly. Well the ********** School of ballet bought my other dance school and I ended just solely taking it from them. I found it a bit boring , but knew it was for the best of being a dancer. We never had fun recitals … it was just us doing the barre on stage and center of the floor. The thing that we did get to do was be in the real Nutcracker… the one people pay to come see. We tried out and they assigned us to parts and which cast you got to be in…. A or B … some people had two parts one in each casts. It was fun and really got me to enjoy ballet and feel how much it paid off. But then the people decided to have open auditions and anyone could try out in the city and it was discourging knowing that it was the one thing that was special to us, luckily though I got the part I really wanted the last time. They changed it now and has a million kid parts. It sounds so selfish…. I know…. but I quit. I started ice skating (which I must say ballet helped me alot) but lost my posture but after a half year of no ballet I had to go back I love it to much and I started at another dance place that was fun and we really got to do things… we actually danced. They premoted me to the highest ballet class that wasn’t company (I didn’t want to be in the company…….which was different because the company there were kids and the old place were the company was the professionals) because of the basics I learned at the other place were strong. It was weird though because all the other people were atleast 2 years older than me and I looked so out of place and really confused because it was nothing like before. Anyway it ended up I didn’t have enough money to continue and so I went on with ice skating working still on strength of my ankles to jump high. I started a new highschool at an arts school and wanted to persue mass media and my mom made me try for dance to…. but I made it clear I didn’t want anymore of dance. The next year that is now I forgot about dance but then got into a musical and we have had to work in the dance wing and I automatically have fallen back in love with ballet and without dancing two years I lost alot, but my ankles and point have stayed the same. I now find myself working on my ankles, turnout, flexibility, and posture constantly. It scares people too because I am more of a punk alternative person but I only like to dance ballet. I now really want to try out for dance again… being part of the program means a life of dance and I think I can do it because its like going to a normal class everyday. The school takes in two types people…..people who want to learn to dance…. and people who want to get better. I have done numerous years on pre pointe classes and a bit en pointe should I start before pointe or beginner on pointe. What level should I start in?

Dance therapy

Me again.

Are there people here who’re familiar (or actually practicing) dance therapy?

Do you know where I can find information about it?

I’m asking, because I’m a psychologist myself (interested in all kinds of experience-based methods, like equine therapy) and was amazed at the effect starting ballet classes had on my life, after only a few lessons.

So I’m sure there must be more to it than meets the eye and I’d like to know more about it.

Thanks.

Is the teacher always right?

Hi everyone.

As some of you know already, I’m 28 and just started dancing past September (after a pause of 20 years, so starting from below zero again).
As I wrote in another post, we progress more or less like a schooling system at my studio, so after this year, I should go to “adult beginners 2″.
Now I have two issues here.
Self-knowledge is the beginning of all wisdom, they say…
I don’t think I’m very good yet, although I don’t stick out like a sore thumb in class either. I do know I tend to learn motor skills slower than other people (eg driving cars, physical education in highschool was the horror, etc).
I also feel I’d like to do 2 classes a week, in stead of just one.
I wonder if I should do the first year again next year, in stead of going to year 2, because I don’t feel comfortable going up a level yet, even if my teacher doesn’t seem to share my concern.
I’m in doubt.
I guess part of the ‘problem’ is that, although I know I started too late to get really good at ballet, this doesn’t mean I don’t want to reach my personal best. And I think my teacher doesn’t expect adult beginner’s to be really serious about the whole thing, if you know what I mean.
I haven’t really talked it through with him yet, because it’s still rather early in the year, of course I will later, but the question keeps me busy, so I’d like some input, if you don’t mind.

In an ideal world, I’d like to take adults 1 and 2 next year, 1 to have a stronger foundation of the basics and 2 to challenge myself. But this isn’t possible, as both classes overlap in time (so I can hope for a change of schedule, of course).

I plan already to watch an adult 2 class the following open day, to see if the level is indeed as daunting as I imagine, but still my question.

What would you do if a teacher says you’re ready to go up a level, but you feel differently?

When I was little, I quit music because ‘they’ made me move up a level and the leap was too big, so I guess my apprehension started there.

I still hope for a 1&2 combination, if that’s not possible I’ll have to take modern or jazz 1 to be able to take 2 classes, but then the question remains, do I combine it with a classical 1 or 2?

If there are teachers here, what do they think?
What do you do with low-self-esteem-pupils?

And of course, I don’t expect you guys to decide for me, as of course, you should see me dance to be able to advice on that, but I find it helpful to exchange ideas and ‘think aloud’ here.

Thanks everyone.

how do I answer people’s questions

ok this may sound kind of dumb but every time i want to help answer someone’s questions it always say invalid website what should do?

dumb as it my sound it drive’s me nuts when i can’t answer someone question.

It’s my birthday should I change my level

Ok today I justed turned 13. Should I move up in dance? I read that in a book that when you turned 12 or 16 you are to move up in your next class is that true?

Ballet Schools

I am 13 and i am trying to decide if I should go to a boarding school where I can get better training in Ballet but I can’t seem to find any websites that well just give me a whole bunch of schools. does any one know where of a website like that?

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Panche`

I have a hard time doing panche. I almost always fall on my face. I want to be able to hold the position. Can you give me some tips??

Strengthening Inner Thighs

Are there any good strethches to strengthen my inner thighs?
I feel like my quads are taking over. I don’t want to have Thunder Thighs. Help!!!

Turn out ballet

I am very short 4′11″ and very muscular. But my turn out sucks in both ballet and pointe shoes. Is there anything I can do to improve this?

CRAZY ABOUT BALLET!!

hi my name is Lola,

Since I was very little I’ve always loved ballet but I could never be alowed to do it. Now I am 15 my mum got me lessons at a local ballet place but it is only half an hour a week!

I really want to be a professional. I’d be willing to do anything! but I cant get any more lessons! I’m a complete beginner but I’m working on my flexibility at home and I’m very musular and toned because I sprint.

I would love some help because I feel this is my passion but I dont think I started early enough

lola