Adult Ballet Class
For one hour on Thursday nights, I get to just be me. No making decisions, no asking me for juice, no pulling on my shirt. Not “Mom.” Not “Honey.” Just beautiful music and a barre. Adult Ballet Class.
Ballet has always been a great love of mine.
The structure of the steps. The discipline of your body alignment. The beautiful lines your body creates in each pose.
I’ve been taking Ballet since I was about 10 years old, but took a couple of years off when I got married and had kids. As I started to get to a place where I was eating healthy again, I wanted to also tone my body up. An adult Ballet class seemed like the perfect solution.
Ballet as an Adult
Since it had been at least 6 years since I’d been in a dance studio, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Did I have to wear a leotard and tights? Was I going to be completely out-of-place since I was so out of shape? Would I remember all the steps?
I really didn’t need to worry. An adult Ballet class is definitely different from a class your daughter or son may take. There’s a more relaxed feel, since none of us are going to grow up to be ballerinas. There’s also more of an emphasis on getting a good workout. We’re not preparing for a show (although some studios do let their adult students perform,) so there’s nothing to memorize. We’re all there for a common goal of feeling better about our bodies, while enjoying the beauty of the movement.
Another great thing about an Adult Ballet class is that there isn’t any experience required. There are adults of every level, and you can work as hard as you want to. That’s the beauty of Ballet. There’s always something to work on, no matter how basic the step.
So, as part of my Fitness Friday series, I really want to let you know what you can expect from a Ballet class workout.
What to Expect from an Adult Ballet Class
1. Expect to sweat.
Ballet is hard. It’s the backbone of every other form of dance, so it gives you a great foundation for all kinds of movement. Your body will be in positions that it’s not used to, and you’ll use muscles you didn’t even know you had.
2. Ballet is all about Toning and Strength
You are using your own body as resistance, so you will be building long, lean muscles. No worries about bulky ones. You’ve seen Ballet dancers’ bodies, right? While there are jumps and spins, there are also breaks between each exercise, so it’s not really a cardio workout.
3. The Barre is your Friend
You will start the class, and actually do most of it, holding onto a Ballet Barre. Be careful not to grip it too tightly. It’s just there for extra support. It is not there to hold you up.
4. Remember to Breathe
Ballet involves a lot of core work, which means you are focused on your inner stomach muscles. Just because you are pulling up and in, does not mean you should stop breathing. Be conscious of your breath and relax. While these positions and movements may be new to you, you will get used to them. You don’t want to tense up in each position or movement or you’ll really be sore.
5. Let your inner Ballerina out
While you’re getting a great workout, remember to have fun. I love how graceful ballet makes me feel, and I often forget I’m in a classroom when I’m there. I usually picture myself up on a stage somewhere. In a Tutu, of course.
If you’re too afraid to try a class in a studio, there are plenty of Ballet workout DVD’s available too. I have the best partner at home.
I hope you’ll consider taking a Ballet class at least once in your life. Not only is it good for your body, but it’s great for your mind too. You get to think about steps, positions, and your body’s alignment…and NOTHING else. It’s a great escape from your everyday life.
In addition to my Ballet class, I’ve been walking A LOT while pushing the twins in their stroller, plus doing some fitness DVD’s. I will be sharing my favorite Yoga DVD with you next Friday, so I hope you’ll come and join me.
This was a great post. I actually wondered if there were adult ballet classes. I think I might look into this. It looks like wonderful exercise.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’ll try it!
I LOVE this idea! I took ballet lessons when I was a kid, listened to all the great classical ballet music, and saw many ballets with my mom in San Francisco where I grew up!
Awesome!
I love that you set aside that time to do something for YOU!
Thank you!
Great post. I never really thought of ballet as exercise but now I totally do. I bet it does take a lot of strength to pose like that!
Yes! Thank you!
sounds like fun! I always want to take ballet but they don’t offer too many adult classes near me. I mainly do lessons via YT – great post!
Thanks Tianna!
Sounds so amazing! I need to find a class in my area, I would love it! Thank you for sharing!!
Great! Thanks for reading!
Well thanks for this post! I would not have thought of adult ballet. It looks like it would be a great adult class to help strengthen our core to avoid falls and injuries as we continue to age.
Yes! Thank you!
Because I’ve never taken ballet, I’ve never considered it for a fitness class. I would so love to try it, just for fun and for my health. Thanks for sharing this and opening my eyes to the possibility!
So cool! I have never taken a dance class, maybe adult ballet is in my future.
This is a great post, Shann. I love the idea of adult ballet. I always wanted to take ballet when I was a kid, but I never got to. It’s not too late, right? LOL
It’s NEVER too late!
I cannot do ballet at all, I would literally fall down all of the time. BUT! I love going to Zumba because it reminds me of the dance classes I took as a younger kid and I love it. Yes, I look absolutely ridiculous, but I feel like J.Lo and that’s all that counts. 🙂
Exactly! 🙂
Oh that’s a great idea for a workout. My friend was a dancer for the PA ballet, so I’ll have to get her to teach me some moves. I only took jazz when I was little, but I always loved dancing. I did recently take a barre class which is very dance-like. It was so much fun and such a great workout!
Nice!
Oh I have always wanted to take a class!! Thanks for the tips! I can’t wait to try it one day! (soon hopefully!)
Yay! I hope you will!
So true, I work out at home with Jessica Smith TV and she does Ballet Barre work outs. Ballet always look sooooooooooooo easy. Until you get into first position and then your like what..no this is really hard! So hard. I used to do belly dance when I was younger and ballet just takes the cake it is so tough but so great for your body! Thanks for this!
That’s so cool that you used to Belly Dance!
How sweet! I did ballet when I was 12. Great idea to do it as an adult. I bet this would be so much fun!
It is! I love it!
This is awesome! I have never taken dance or done ballet, but it’s good to know that the option is open. (…Although clearly I’d need remedial/superbeginner courses.) I’m always looking for new ways to get fit and get my sweat on, so it’s nice to know that the high stakes land of ballet is more forgiving than I would have imagined. 😛
Yes, way more forgiving for us adults! 🙂
I took ballet as a little girl and miss it! You still look great doing the “moves”!
Thank you so much Natasha!
I have always wanted to try ballet, but I am not coordinated in any way! I think yoga is the closest I will ever get. It always looks so elegant and beautiful though.