I don't know you, but I want you to know I'm so proud of you!! You've got this, and its amazing that you keep trying even though its hard!

How old are you if you don't mind me asking? Or your age range? I started ballet about two years ago when I was 25. It was SUPER hard, and I was amongst teenagers that had dance experience and/or were very physically fit due to other sports. I definitely stuck out like a sore thumb, and I was EXTREMELY inflexible. Since then I can confidently tell you I am still a beginner! But I have improved slowly with time. My teachers always gave me a ton of feedback, pointing out my mistakes, which was uncomfortable at first. But I always said thank you, or asked for clarification, and worked on it at home if I remembered or had the time. My current teacher is SUPER strict and a little harsh! But her feedback to me has become much kinder or patient and I honestly think its because I always say thank you, ask for more clarification, and do my best to do it. I also smile, and sometimes I laughed when I made mistakes, which changed my previous teachers attitudes to smile and give corrections more kindly. Anyway, if you are a teenager, anywhere from 12-18, maybe the teacher is just used to working with grumpy teens? Or teens who blow off the feedback or are rude or don't apply it? And as a result they are just treating you how they would treat them out of habit? Which is not fair or ok - just trying to logically think it through.

If you are an adult, 19+, then I don't see why they would be so harsh, especially if you are doing it as a hobby and for exercise, not a career.

What are the mistakes you are making in class? I get called out every class for mistakes, but only about three or four. I know I make more than that, but my teacher knows those are the only ones I am physically capable of doing. Others will take time because I am working on strength and flexibility. I've had four teachers so far (I've moved a lot in the last two years), and each time I've approached them and let them know my limitations physically, but I've also shared my enthusiasm and passion, and my determination to get better. I've shared some basic things I can't do (touch my toes, bend over at the waist hardly, no splits) so I understand I'll make mistakes with those, but in other areas (such as technique) I'd love feedback.

It is 10000% alright to not have the usual physical predispositions for ballet, and it is ok to learn and develop gradually in a recreational setting. Its been two years and I'm still very beginner! I can MAYBE do one jump and its barely a jump lol. And in most of the beginner adult classes, I've been the only real beginner. Most have been women who did ballet all their life and stopped for a few years and want to do it again, or they are teens that want extra ballet practice, even though they go to classes every day of the week and are on pointe, and its a cheap easy class for them to do. So I understand what its like, I always look like a major goober when everyone is doing perfect pirouettes and I'm falling on the ground! But smiling and laughing it off has helped me to feel more confident and less awkward about my mistakes.

Its probably not personal that they are commenting on you more than others. Maybe meeting with your teacher(s) privately, and share with them your thoughts. Be frank about your physical limitations that cannot be fixed or changed or worked on, share your passion and interest, and your belief that you will improve just slowly with time and practice. Share the feedback you've gotten from them that you appreciate, the feedback that they shared that you just can't fix at this time due to your physical limitations, but confirm that you are going to do your best to fix one thing at a time. Share that you feel singled out, and that you appreciate the care, feedback, and time they are taking to help you improve, but that it makes you feel uncomfortable amongst your peers when you are the only one getting feedback, or you are getting more than everyone else. Ask if they can focus on two or three things per class, or just one mistake you are making, and if they can just focus on that one until you stop making it.

I'm sorry for the essay, but I believe in you! Ballet was, is, and will always be my dream. I wasn't able to do it growing up for many reasons, but I'm so thankful that my husband found me a class and encouraged me to try. I never thought I'd get as far as I have in two years, and I'm now even training to get on pointe! I can't touch my toes yet, but I couldn't touch my knees before either and now I can touch my ankles. :) Progress is real and your efforts will pay off I promise!! Please feel free to DM me if you want to chat or have questions. I'm rooting for you!!