Adult Dancers: Tips for Your Very First Class [Back?]

So it happens to all of us at some point:  There are the casualties of the ballet world that never quite made a “long term” career of ballet but we could have, and traded it in for the smarter college degree and business career.  There are those of us that chose to get married and have some kids and because we recognize the value of dance, we put our kids in it and think, “I should really start doing this again for some exercise ….” Or “I need to take up dance for myself and to support my child…” And then finally, there are those of us that may have never taken ballet in our younger years but always loved it, and had an appreciation and passion for it.  And if we had just been given the opportunity or the encouragement, we would have chosen the life of a prima-ballerina at New York City Ballet, partnering with Baryshnikov at ABT and rubbing elbows with Margot Fonteyn over tea while guest touring in the UK.

I put all of “us” in the same category because we all have a similar disenchantment: 

We think we can dance…ballet…as adults.
  

And this post is not about pumping up anyone out there that may have delusions to run off to dance class, saying “Yes, I can do it, everyone can and should…”  but to impart the realities that happen when stepping [back] into the studio as an adult.  

This is not a beautiful journey or blooming experience you are about to embark on.  It’s physically painful, it puts your self-esteem and body image to the test and it’s arguably the most difficult physical fitness ‘program’ you can ever attempt to do, if you do it correctly.  Anyone who tells you (or writes) differently, is someone who has no idea how to dance, and they treat the class like an aerobics class from the gym.  While I'm being brutally honest, please also note, ballet will get you in the best shape of your life, again, if you do it correctly (meaning you take class 2-3 times a week or more, and you care about learning the technique).  And if you actually commit to it, you will reap the rewards you hear about, but that takes time.  And before that happens, you must confront your first class [back].

Here's the main thing to remember when you take your first class: you will, for the first time, understand entirely just how bad of shape you are in.  Whether you've been keeping in shape with yoga, Pilates, aerobics, cross fit, weights, etc. you will feel and work muscles you didn't know existed.  The reason for this is, most of what you will do in a ballet class will not be intuitive; meaning you will feel like you are rubbing your head and patting your stomach the entire class, but it will be 100 times fold with all parts of your body moving in different directions.  I've done just about every fitness class out there and the closest that comes to ballet in these conditions is perhaps martial arts, but even most fighting disciplines will contradict the movements and stances of ballet technique.  And please understand, I know full well how difficult a real yoga class is, and the people who are advanced in these other fitness genres are in amazing shape, but ballet is still different.  The good news to this though for someone taking it brand new, who hasn't kept in shape with anything else, you are in the same boat either way.

Probably more distressing is someone who took ballet in their younger days, but hasn't done it in years and is coming back into it.  Because you know and remember what things should look like and what they should feel like, but alas, there is no way your body is going to do it.  Even if you try to laugh it off with others, explaining how long it's been, and they try to tell you it's the same as when you took two weeks off for holidays or off-seasons, think again.  If you're over 30, it will take a while to "get it back."

The other main frustration that all adults should be aware of before going into class is the ballet terminology.  You'll find the instructor perhaps demonstrating some movements and speaking in a foreign language as though they have English subtitles somewhere that you should be seeing.  Unfortunately, most Adult ballet classes I've been in are a mix of levels, from ex-professionals that will make a first-timer or a returning dancer want to slit their wrists, to the very beginner who has never done a plié in their entire life.  So the pace can move very quickly and it can be perceived that everyone is picking it up but you. Even if you're a previous student and recognize the verbiage, the mind-body connection is just not there like it used to be, and again it can be very frustrating.

The point to all of this is not to deter anyone from taking ballet, but actually to prepare you for what you can expect, so that you can stick with it and be successful.  As someone who has taught many first timer adult students and has been a returning dancer on more than one occasion, I want to impart the following 'first class' tips:

1. Make the commitment and schedule your second class attendance, before you even go to your first class.  If you wait and decide this after you "try it out," you'll most likely never come back.  In fact, you should do this with at least 10 classes. If the studio you are looking at has the option, buy a multiple class card.  It will save you money, and by class 10 (or even 20), that's how you'll know you've really given ballet a fair shot at being your ideal fitness program. And if you're returning to ballet, you know it will be about this many classes to get yourself "back."
2. The first class [back] is going to suck.  It's going to feel and look awful. End of story.  And you should make sure you keep it that simple.  Write it off, and then get in for the next class.  You may feel embarrassed, but I will tell you as I have taken classes all over the country (USA) and I have yet to see ANYONE make fun of a new comer adult.  Kids can be little punks to be sure and professional companies as portrayed in the movies can sometimes be that petty and cut-throat to their fellow professional dancers that they're in competition with (although I think this has drastically changed in most companies these days), but you will find nothing but support as an adult student, whether brand new or returning. Everyone is in your corner and rooting for you, so come back and keep working at it, and you'll come out on top.
3. Your first class, don't worry about "getting it right."  It's true you want to be cognizant as you continue on not to practice bad habits, but the first class just accept the challenge and be happy with the cardio.  Everything else can and will come later.
4. Learn one thing.  Whether its a French verb to a step, or where to put your arm or just what you should be doing even if you're not quite there yet technically, if you walk away from the first class learning one new thing, it's a success. As well as finishing the class.  Those are two main accomplishments to walk out of the studio with on the first class and to take with you to the second class.  This is the time to adopt the philosophy of Kaizen, which is "small improvements over time, make a major impact."
5. Tell the instructor your situation before class starts.  Often times, the good instructors will provide various modifications of exercises for the various levels that are in attendance.  They will also position you where you can watch more advanced dancers to take cue from until you can easily pick up cues and terminology on your own.   

Ahhhh...So inviting and so good for recovery!

To me the last tip is the most important: Remember the 3 Bs when taking class as an adult, you will need these 3 B's after the first class and beyond:

1. Bananas - Potassium helps with sore muscles and reduces lactic acid build up.
2. Baths - a hot bath will also be very comforting after your first class, add in some Epsom salts to help recover sore muscles and feet.
3. the Ballerini-tini! - Let's face it, we're adults now, and if we need to indulge a little to recover from a frustrating class, or an embarrassing moment, that's part of the license and prerogative of being an adult ballet student/ dancer.  

Please drink (and dance) responsibly. ;-)