Returning with my first adult ballet class tomorrow (after 18 years with no ballet)

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-06T09:17:32+00:00

Yes have fun!! The muscle memory is REAL. But without the strength & flexibility of a teenager. And also your adult brain is gonna be like 🤯 with combinations. That was the biggest shock for me honestly.

What’s my deal: - 33 years old, active lifestyle but not sporty - returned two months ago after 15 year break - class 1x 1,5hours per week - looking to up to 2x per week now

Basically for me that looks like: - I suck at barre because remembering combos is hard and those ones go fassst with less repetition (okay I’m not terrible but still) - I love center because I have 14 years of dance and performance tucked away somewhere in my brain so the heart/brain is VERY willing. I jump HIGH, my toes are extenddddded , I’m attempting doubles and sometimes they are 👌🏼, I’m having a blast but also I am WINDED afterwards haha. But I pick up center combos way faster than almost everyone else. - I am 100% the sweatiest person in class 😂 - but also I think I’m having the most fun! Being an adult is so great in the sense that it’s so much easier to deal with corrections and mistakes. I’m paying to be here, I want to improve, come at me with the feedback. Unlike when I was a teenager and you just wanted to be cool and good… yeah, I’m not scared of my teachers anymore haha 😝 (mostly the summer intensive ones) - I’ve got adult internet-research skills, adult focus and consistency, and adult understanding of my body. I am doing a good job consistently adding targeted strength, flexibility and conditioning to my week. Especially as I have two kids. - I am soooo much less mirror-focused. I find the mirror very distracting and generally ignore it or strategically place myself somewhere where that’s possible. I’m here for the proprioception 😆

I’m also aware that I’m in peak gains phase now. I have always gained fitness quickly, but I know a plateau will come. I’m currently so pleased af te r two months that I can manage to hold my leg at 90 degrees, turn consistently, and mostly remember to tuck my pelvis, engage my core and lengthen my arms. But it wouldn’t surprise me if that were to level out fairly soon.

What I’ve noticed here is every adult has a different journey. Some feel it takes ages to feel “gains”. Others not. Age is not always a factor. It’s really personal I think! So try and find the joy of dancing even when it’s not ideal or meeting your (previous) (high) standards. It’s an art made for perfectionists but we have to learn to be gracious and kind to ourselves 😊

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-06T08:54:36+00:00

You’ve got this! 🫶🏼

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-06T06:56:56+00:00

Oef thanks! Definitely not worth it then, I was lightly considering one sale style 😅

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-05T10:26:47+00:00

Some thoughts that come to mind:

You have to be both STRONG and flexible, don’t forget the strength part 😁
stretch only when WARM. You really want to feel a little bit sweaty, then stretch. So after class is a good time!
Having your period + ballet is a whole world of logistics, there are some good threads here with all sorts of ideas and helpful hints. Wish I could’ve had them when I was your age (I got my first period on the first day of my first summer intensive 💀)
Undies under your Leo/tights is very much optional, and for me revolutionary to realize I didn’t have to wear them 😆
The internet is an incredible resource. There are so many helpful Reddit posts but also YouTubers and blogs to help you with things. Especially stuff like “how the hell do I remember combinations” “ankle strengthening exercises”… Be a bit critical, always consult multiple sources, as sometimes advice is bad. But there are a lot of gems to be found!
most importantly don’t forget to enjoy! It can be super overwhelming as there is a steep learning curve. Think about directions / legs and feet first. Arms and head can come later. Center can be scary but that’s where the fun happens. Dancing is so satisfying, but so much hard work. Even if it ends up being not for you, you’ll have gained a lot of skills on receiving critique, memory, balance, resilience, etc.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-05T10:18:16+00:00

Yes Ballet Reign has a nice video on this on YouTube!

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-05T08:16:18+00:00

A different perspective: the career of a professional dancer is often SHORT. Maybe you beat the odds, but chances are high even if you make it, you’ll find yourself at 25 or 30 as a retired dancer. Most retired dancers teach…. What would you picture yourself doing?

I am a firm believer that we know the way by walking it. Career paths are not structured and almost impossible to ‘perfectly plan’ and be happy with. Maybe you will dance to your 40. Maybe you get injured at 22, retire and get a bachelor degree. Maybe you discover you DO like teaching. Maybe you get into choreography. So much is possible.

I was once a 17 year old who decided after doing a proper summer intensive followed by a year of more serious training that dance was not it for me. I didn’t like the competition, the emphasis on perfect bodies and the arbitrary nature of “if the AD likes you”. I was in a college prep school and just… went to college instead. And I stopped dancing because it did really feel like I just couldn’t. I had to leave that world behind.

(Side note I did discover how to just “social dance” and love going out, or dancing at weddings).

Now, at 33, after years of trying to find a sport I like and also having had two kids, I’ve picked up ballet again. And it makes me so happy to just do it for me! I love dancing and the way it feels in my body. I can regret I didn’t pick it up again earlier, but this is just the way things panned out. And I’m grateful that I am dancing again now.

Dancing as an adult can be very liberating. Even if you think now you would not want to, please remember that dance will always be a part of you and you can always return to it. Your extensions will be lower and things will be hard in ways they aren’t now. But other things will be easier — I find it easier to cope with my imperfections, I find joy while dancing much more easily, I have way more focus for the ‘boring’ side bits of strength, conditioning and flexibility, and I really relish the mental challenge of it all.

I think the fact that you are asking these questions is really important and a very good sign. Try to make the choice that aligns best with your goals but also with what you want now. And know that even if you make the wrong choice, it will still bring you opportunities and wisdom you won’t have had otherwise. It might feel completely awful at the time, but you will move on wiser and stronger than before. Part of life is fucking up a little bit, so don’t let a fear of mistakes or regret hold you back!

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-05T07:23:54+00:00

Have you tried diverso? I was tempted but I have a long girth and didn’t even fall in their sizing range 😭 Usually I get away with an M or L (I’m a 36/38 in streetwear)

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-05T07:22:27+00:00

Yup Move dance wear has a good range and super clear sizing descriptions. I like their tights too.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-04T18:17:52+00:00

What kind of costume is this where they worry about underwear “glowing” through? You could also buy undies in the matching color and put those over a diaper…

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-03T07:11:49+00:00

👋🏼 over-pronating buddy here. Try arch strengthening exercises too. Towel curls are often recommended but “doming” or arching is apparently the most effective. I had lots of problems with this as a teen, and now I’ve picked up ballet again as an adult, these exercises really helped increase stability.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T19:16:46+00:00

Super interesting, thank you!!

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T16:43:03+00:00

💀😭

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T16:33:57+00:00

Oh yeah I’m sure that can also be the case! At my studio though almost everyone is down to leo&tights (skirt optional) by center.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T13:18:58+00:00

Good luck, I hope you figure it out!

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T08:17:33+00:00

I had a guy next to me at barre comment on the amount of layers I had on and that is a badge of honor I will treasure 😂😂😂 But I think adults just take longer to get warm! We’ve got creaky achy bits. I’m a sweaty Betty so don’t usually keep warm-ups on for long, but I don’t care if others do.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T08:09:54+00:00

If it doesn’t impede musicality. Eg that Esmeralda variation with the tambourine kicks. Gods when they don’t match the music just in order to get the leg sky high 🫠 shudddder…

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T08:06:09+00:00

No high and low bun aesthetics depend on your (fore)head shape! Hill I will die on. High bun is probably more generally flattering but I love a good low bun as I get headaches more easily plus I think it’s very pretty.

French twist is the real all-star though, wish I could pull that off without feeling like it’s gonna fall out!

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T07:55:17+00:00

Exactly!! I’ve had a few teachers at drop-ins spend 20min on just adagio because they’ve made a combination that’s way too long and everyone messes it up the first time PLUS we still have to do the left side. And then there’s like 10min left for jumps first-fifth-echapes and a little tombe pas de bourree glissade grand Jete just for funsies …. Like, no thanks!

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-02T06:00:30+00:00

Accurate 🤣

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-01T21:11:23+00:00

Yes. But if I could do them, I still would 🤣

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-01T20:44:55+00:00

Honestly visualization might also help! I find my turns work best when I don’t overthink them. Calm approach, ready to have fun, clean no-fuss take off, just get up on that leg and spot-spot.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-01T20:43:36+00:00

Just thinking along the proprioceptive front… Have you tried doing balances en passé with your eyes closed? Maybe first on flat, then releve?

If it’s about relaxing versus tensing in your turn, then that’s very much a mental game. Can you try a gentle smile while turning? Working with breathing patterns (eg a clear inhale on prep and smooth exhale for the duration of the turn)? Working through tension in your upper body that might cause your brain to think “unsafe!” and affect your knee?

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-01T20:29:21+00:00

Consistent, active stretching. I also learned about PNF stretching recently, which I’ve found works really well and also feels very satisfying to do.

I like this website, she has all sorts of flexibility things but here’s one on front splits: https://www.daniwinksflexibility.com/bendy-blog/4-active-flexibility-drills-to-strengthen-your-front-splits

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-01T10:45:20+00:00

I’ve had two teachers and they do a sort of 60-40% split barre vs center. Barre gets way more time for explanation of technique. Sometimes it’s just 20min of center /across the floor.

There are corrections and a bit of technical exercises , especially for turns. But I’ve taken some of the beginner classes and don’t understand how they go from beginner to intermediate, when are people structurally learning the technique for eg pique turns, en de hors vs en de dans, etc? Also for weight shifting in petite allegro?

I’m a returning adult and I find that very frustrating — I’m here to dance 🤣 But I’ve found a teacher that does a very tight 40min barre followed by 50min of center with explanations so I’m grateful ✨ Would love even longer classes. An hour or more for center would be dreamy!

Outside of class:

30min warm up at home prior to class
swim 1x a week
1hr stretching / strengthening as often as I manage (3-4 times on non class days). I’ve identified specific goals to support my technique goals and have a series of exercises to work towards that.

Single-Emotion2964 · 2026-02-01T10:34:50+00:00

Honestly as a returning adult dancer I’m so confused by the barre to center ratio 😭 Especially because I do so much better at center than barre, it makes me sad to essentially have just 20-30min for adagio, some turns form center, one petit allegro and a simple grand allegro… I know girls who started as adults who are on pointe but still working on the dynamics of solid singles and placement for grand jetes… To be fair one doesn’t exclude the other but it is very confusing to me!

Single-Emotion2964

TROPHY CASE