Back to ballet

[Siobhan]

Hi,

I have danced ballet for many years before I had to stop as the class time clashed with work/uni. I also wanted a break I suppose after dancing for so many years. After a 3 year gap I have joined my old ballet class again as I missed being doing pointe and the class so much ( the other girls who left with me have come back too which is a lovely suprise ). The trouble is after not dancing for a few years I don't feel as flexible as I once was and my turn out is a bit rusty. I have always found pirouettes difficult and even more so now. Has anyone got any tips about going back to ballet and how they felt? As much as I enjoy being back, have I left it too late to go back? I feel I have forgotten most of what I knew! :/ Thanks

 

[danceronice]

You might have better luck on a forum about solo dance. This one is partner dancing, though there are people who'd done ballet and might be able to help you.

To me, it would depend on how old you are--I stopped skating for a few years after starting in my twenties and a lot of things (especially things like flexibility) are a lot harder in my thirties.

 

[Borazine]

As much as I enjoy being back, have I left it too late to go back? I feel I have forgotten most of what I knew! :/

I think this just depends on what you're hoping to get out of it. After three years off in your early twenties, my guess would be that you don't have much chance of getting into a pro ballet company. But if, like most of us, you're just there for the training, or because you enjoy it, etc... Then who cares if your abilities aren't where they used to be? You'll work back up to it in time.

 

[Steve Pastor]

have I left it too late to go back?

I've been in classes with people, unh, much younger, and much more adept than me. I kept going to the classes because I wanted to work on that dance.

I think you are very lucky to have people you know in the same situation.

Although I've spent probably thousands of hours working on different aspects of the dances I do, or WANT to do!, I am in because I love it.

You are WAY too young to be checking out!

 

[alexandrahweis]

I'm in the same boat. I left ballet for two years because I had double knee surgery and then gained a good deal of weight. My best advice is push....and push through. Your body will adapt.