Are your tights looking a little gray or dark? Stick them in a tub with water and a little bleach, let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse, handwash with detergent, and air dry. They'll look pinker in no time!
Yoga, Pilates, and swimming are great for cross-training!
Air out pointe shoes, toe pads, ballet shoes, tights, and leos after class to keep them from getting smelly, and in the case of pointes, moldy.
Keep a few granola bars in your dance bag in case you're ever running late and need a snack.
Use clear nail polish on runs or holes in tights to keep them from getting bigger, it really works!
Take 10 minutes to warm up by doing small cardio exercises before stretching. It'll warm up your muscles and make you more flexible.
Hand wash and air dry tights and leotards to extend their life and prevent shrinking!
Thanks! Ill try the nail polish thing... :)
ReplyDeleteI honestly love your account, im 14, from the england, and really badly want to start ballet... i want to be in a company when im older but i know thats impossible because i am starting at such a older age but thats beside the point. I just wanted to say how much I adore your account and you have really inspired me to give me the confidence to go to a ballet class :)
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteI'm 14 as well and am hoping to start taking ballet lessons soon also like you. As long as your confident and are always trying your best you can do whatever you set your mind to. I think you WILL be in a company because just being willing to do ballet at this age knowing the odds of getting in a company, really shows alot about how great your character is and how your not afraid to try. Good Luck and God Bless. :)
-Yaya :)
Thank you so much! Ballet is super fun, I'm glad you're trying it out!
DeleteOh, and you should look up Mistey Copeland, she started at 13 and look at where she is now, who is to say your not the next Misty Copeland?Good Luck and God Bless. :)
Delete-Yaya :)
HI! I'm twelve years old and I'm starting ballet in the coming school year. The problem is they only offer one class a week and I would really like to do at least 3! I really want to get on pointe and I was wondering how long it might take me? I can stand in releve for a reasonably long time, and I'm a pretty quick learner. I know that you are supposed to take 3 ballet classes for 90 minutes each for 3 years, but I would really love to get on pointe! I also have extremely fat legs. The rest of me is tone, but otherwise I have elephant legs. How do I fix that? Can ballerinas bicycle? I understand they are not allowed to run, but is biking allowed? Finally, do you have any tips on flexibility? I want to get my splits over the summer! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello!
DeleteIf it's a possibility for you, you could always take private classes or classes at another studio if you want to take three classes a week. Starting at 12 isn't too late, if you take enough classes you could catch up to your age group, unlike me!
I don't think very many people would advise starting pointe at only one class a week, so I can't really tell you how long it would take. Talk to your dance teacher about pointe and see what she thinks. Pointe is more than standing on releve, you also have to have strong technique which takes years to build up.
I'm sure you don't have elephant legs! However, ballet will help tone your legs right up. My legs are super muscley and lean, it won't happen overnight though. You have to really focus on using your muscles and stretching when you start dancing.
Running and bicycling is not recommended for professional ballerinas, but recreational dancers may do both! I know girls in the Sr. Company that are in track! Swimming and pilates are the best cross-training methods for pro dancers, but you'll be fine with running or biking.
As for flexibility, you have to work up to it. Don't push yourself too hard or you'll strain your muscles and it will take even longer. Start by warming up for at least 10 or 20 minutes. This can be anything, running, biking, playing Just Dance, whatever. Then start with simple stretches, like touching your toes. Don't force your splits! I was not even half an inch from my right split, forced it, and ended up hurting myself so badly I couldn't stretch properly for weeks. Try to stretch at least 4, at most 6 days a week. Here are some stretches to get you started: http://gymnastics.about.com/od/trainingadvice/ss/frontsplit.htm
Hi, I'm 14 and I'm 5ft 1in tall. I really really really want to do BALLET, but I weigh 163 pounds, so I'd be kind of embarrassed to go there and be the only fat girl. Is there any tips on how I should exercise and get in shape for BALLET?
ReplyDeleteRecreational ballet is for anyone of any shape or size.I know girls in ballet ranging from 4'8" to 5'11", and stick thin to curvy.
DeleteYou can get in shape for ballet by eating healthy, doing cardio exercising, stretching, and strengthening.
Eating healthy is important. Try to cut out sodas and replace it with water, skim milk, or another healthier alternative. If you're craving the carbonation, try sparkling water! My health teacher cut out all soda for a month and lost 10 pounds! You don't have to live on salads, but try replacing your favorite foods with healthier alternatives.
Next is cardio work. This is things like running, walking, biking, swimming, ect. Try going for a walk for an hour every day, or a scenic bike ride on a bike path. This is so much easier with a friend! My friends and I love to wake up early and run a mile around the school!
Stretching is pretty easy if you're into cardio. Before running, biking, ect. do some light stretching (basic touch your toes, butterfly, ect). After you do cardio, your muscles will be warm, so stretching will be easier.
And finally, strengthen your muscles by doing sit-ups, planks, pushups, and other exercises like these.
This sounds a bit intimidating, but you can make it easy! Start by doing some light stretching for 10 minutes. Go walk or run a mile or two. Come home, stretch for 10 more minutes, then do 20 sit-ups and 10 pushups. Repeat.
Don't feel too much pressure to lose weight. Seriously. In a rec ballet class, no one will judge you. Everyone is usually very supportive. Don't overdo anything, and don't hurt yourself!
Hey, I want to start ballet, but my parents can't afford lessons, and I'm only 14 so I can't get a job yet. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteYou can try looking around for free or discounted classes. Some dance studios/youth centers offer classes to kids who can't afford them.
DeleteYou could try to raise some money by mowing lawns or raking leaves, walking dogs/babysitting, or if you have any special talents, see what you can make of them! One ballet class a week is usually only about $40 a month, or $10 a class, so if you can babysit, say, twice a week for 2 hours after school, that would probably give you enough cash!
You can check Craigslist (with your parents, that place can be creepy sometimes) to see if anyone needs a dog walker or babysitter in your area.
Thanks! I just found out that in the state I live in, community college classes are offered free to high schoolers, so I am considering taking dance classes there.
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