Ballet

[wyst]

Any ex or current dancers here?

I have been thinking pretty seriously about maybe taking some dance classes, like beginning ballet stuff as something fun to do and also maybe some good exercise. My posture and carriage are for shit, and I kinda thought that might be a good way to improve them and be fun at the same time.

Any thoughts? Anyone else done this as an adult, or thought about returning to dance after having done it as a kid?

My bf and I have agreed to each take up one thing that the other is interested in, and I think if I take up either fencing or yoga, I can get him to take at least a few ballet classes with me. I'd love to see him in tights and toe shoes, lol.

Wyst

 

[wyst]

Okay forgot to mention -- this is in addition to my weight program, which is coming along pretty well, I think. I'm doing a solid 4 days a week, sometimes 5.

Squats are at 200 lbs, if that gives any idea of where I am right now. It's not monstrous, but it's a lot for me, considering that I started with my bf's 15 pound dumbells on my shoulders less than a year ago, lol.

And yes, back is a complete day now.

Wyst

 

[Gladiola]

I did! I never took ANY dance classes as a kid. I took step aerobics freshman year of college at age 18 - loved it & eventually became an instructor, but still had never had any dance classes.

So last semester I took intro ballet at the local music conservatory school where a friend of mine is working on her Masters Degree in opera.

I HATED IT - but that was just b/c my teacher was mean & awful. The dancing itself was fun, but NOT good exercise & not even great flexibility training IMO (b/c you don't *hold* any poses--- & supposedly you need to hold a stretch for 15 - 30 seconds to increase flexibility).

My friend had taken ballet at Boston Univ as an undergrad & said the instructor there was GREAT! She would touch each participant to help them be positioned correctly, etc. My instructor barely spoke English (literally, she couldn't get sentences out & sometimes told ppl she just didn't understand them) she never gave individual feedback/correction to anyone but maybe 8 ppl that she knew out of 30 - & usually then she would make fun of them.

Although ppl did tell me I seemed more graceful - my boyfriend & some participants in the fitness classes I teach.

I found another class I teach to have a greater impact on my balance, grace & flexibility. BodyFlow - by the ppl who do BodyPump. Pre-choreographed fitness class set to music that is primarily yoga based, but includes balance training, some of which is ballet-based & some pilates & tai chi. You can search on www.lesmills.com to see if they have it in your area if interested.

Although you will probably enjoy ballet if you get a good instructor! Just be prepared to shell out some money - for me class (1X per week for 1 hour, 1 semester: 4 mos) was $220, $50 registration fee, $30 for the slippers, $12 for tights, $30 each for leotard & skirt to cover my big behind. She wouldn't allow me to wear 'fitness clothing' - tight shorts & fitted tank top.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[bunnymt]

When I was a young girl , I took ballet lessons. I have always admired ballerinas because of their grace, poise, and elegance. Ballet is a very noble endeavor.

bunny

 

[smoknjilly]

I;m not a dancer, but I think your idea to do some activity with your BF is a great idea...

I wall/rock climb with mine and we have so much fun...plus its a nice change from the regular gym....many times you have to lift yourself up on one leg, so those leg muscles are Needed!!!

In june we are going to tackle a 13,000 ft mountain in colorado woohooooo!!

 

[wyst]

Damn, it's an expensive hobby. I started looking around a bit and talked to a few people, and it seems like I might be better off with some other kinda dance or just something else altogether.

Wyst

PS: Smokn...can you do the iron cross and all the MI2 stuff?

 

[thin]

I teach dance now and then.

It gives you "big" legs.

The NYC ballet hasa good workout video, though.

 

[wyst]

I teach dance now and then.

It gives you "big" legs.

The NYC ballet hasa good workout video, though.

I *want* big legs, lol. After all the running I did, my legs are still lagging.

I'll check out that video.

Thanks,

Wyst

 

[FitDiva1]

I dance with a professional modern dance company. I danced as a child, stopped in my 20's and resumed in my late thirties. It is good for stretching, flexibility and lengthening the muscles. I think the style and technique of dance that you practice, along with your form, will determine how your body responds. Ballerinas don't have big legs.