In my generation and all that followed, there were hundreds and thousands of girls who took ballet and danced growing up, more so than any previous generation. As we got older, even if we never went pro, we still consider dance to be our go-to fitness option. These are the same people who prefer group classes at gyms because that's the type of environment we're used to working out in. And despite this large pool of potential enrollees, studios and instructors fail to see the opportunity and really seek to engage this demographic; that's why Adult programs have little to no success.
Check out these seven tips to see if your Adult program is lacking and what to do about it:
Check out these seven tips to see if your Adult program is lacking and what to do about it:
1) Just Because Your Adults are Beginners, Doesn't Mean They're Children
One of the biggest mistakes I see instructors make when teaching Adults, is treating them like they would a beginning children's class. Even though adult students may be brand spanking new to ballet, they still have greater motor skills than children. There is no reason to go super slow with positioning, only the break down of steps in sequences is usually needed. This is also where knowing correct terminology helps, because vocabulary is something adults can pick up and remember more easily. But the biggest thing is don't treat adults like children and in patronizing ways. Most Adults seeking ballet fitness have done things like yoga and can handle the physicality of ballet, even if they are struggling with the coordination at the beginning. That's not a reason to "dumb" down the instruction. I've even seen one studio give an Adult class and play Disney music during the class. Maybe this is okay if the class is all mothers just doing it for fun, but in almost every circumstance this is a massive fail.
2) Allow for Differing Levels
It's not uncommon, especially if there are relatively few Adult classes offered at your studio, that there will be differing levels. Most classes I participate in have a range as extreme as buck beginners to ex-pros (like myself) and even some active pros. So the instructor has to be savvy enough to give exercises that can be adjusted per the varied levels of the dancers. Most advanced-to-pro dancers are equipped with adjusting exercises as needed to meet their needs. As long as the basic exercise meets beginner needs and can be built on (i.e. add a releve, raise the legs higher, add battu, do it en pointe, etc.) this should be the aim of the instructor when preparing class. If you have enough varying levels to meet studio minimum enrollment requirements, work to add more classes that are tailored to each level's needs.
3) Know All of the Students' Goals
With understanding the different levels in your Adult class(es), is also understanding the different goals of your adult students. As mentioned above, some are there purely out of support for their children. Those that are there for fitness, may have all sorts of various fitness goals (non-machine cardio, weight loss, stress management, better balance, increased flexibility, maintaining fitness, they hate gyms, they love ballet, ex dancers, etc.) Knowing what brings an Adult through the doors is important in designing how the instructor teaches the class overall. And like catering to different levels, to keep adults enrolled and engaged, you have to accommodate their different goals. For example, I'll stop going to a class real often if the instructor fails to notice that I am an ex-pro and still treat class the same as I did back in my prime. Meaning if I never receive any corrections, I consider it a waste of my money. It's absolutely okay to get detailed on technical corrections for the ex-dancer, but not necessarily the one that's there for stress relief. If there is a mix of cardio wants and better balance wants, make sure your class includes allegro and adagio. The point is make sure you know what your adults want to get from the class and that will help ensure their enrollment and regular attendance. Acting like this isn't a factor because you're "giving a class" is why adult programs often fail due to low enrollment.
4) Don't Recycle Exercises
When you teach a few classes and end your day with the Adult class, it's easy to use exercises from your previous class(es), but I caution against doing this. As an instructor and ex-pro, I can always tell when an instructor is recycling exercises, because they give it really fast with little explanation. While sometimes I see this as a challenge (because I have been dancing my whole life and I know technique without it being explained, where heads and arms should be, etc.) and it's a matter of how quick can I pick up the exercise, on the other hand, it's a cop-out for the instructor. I know I'm not getting the same care, even though I'm most likely paying a higher price for my classes. For the beginner Adult students, this slack off from the instructor ultimately hurts enrollment. If an Adult student feels like they are given things without much explanation and they feel like they never really "get it," they'll stop coming. Put care into designing your class for your adult students. They pay for classes and they should expect the same prep you do for your other classes.
5) Stretching
Another mistake I see with Adult classes is in the area of stretching. Wherever you allow for stretching in the sequence of your other classes, Adult classes should be treated a little differently. Most adults feel like they need to work out some kinks before beginning exercise. However, an adult stretching when not warmed up can more easily pull a muscle. Some buck beginner students may not necessarily have the experience to know how to stretch themselves to prepare for center work or to feel more comfortable during grande battements, while more experienced dancers prefer the time to stretch themselves rather than follow a led stretch. All this has to be accommodated, so I recommend incorporating the following:
- Lead a light stretch at the beginning of class. This can be things like neck rolls, ankle rolls, stretching out the back, quads, calves, etc.
- Incorporate dynamic stretching into exercises for adults so they are receiving the benefits of stretching while warming up through choreography at the barre. This happens by having cambres, lunge stretches around the ronde jambe section of class, including leg stretching in fondues at the end, etc.
- Between barre and center work allow adult students to stretch on their own or to follow a led stretch, but give the option of either depending on the ranges of students' experience.
- Encourage adult students to conduct static stretching at the end of class, or save the last 5-10 minutes to include this as part of a cool down for your portion of teaching the class. This is the time to do more focused stretching and holding positions for 20 seconds while the body is warmed up completely to accomplish increased flexibility.
6) Be Flexible
One of the first things that will make me run away from a studio as an Adult vs. a child student is if the attendance and pay structure is set up the same way. Adults have other commitments in their life that will take priority over dance class. Whether it's their job, their family or other things they have committed to, they can't be expected to maintain 100% attendance. So it's up to the studio to structure something that provides both equal flexibility and encourages attendance. Most studios employ punch cards for Adult classes, and this makes the most sense. But if you offer punch cards with a very small window of expiration, that is a turn off. The other turn off is offering different blocks of bulk class purchases that offer little or no discounts, it's another turn off.
7) Provide Opportunities
While for some Adult students, the idea of performing is terrifying and the last thing they want to do, for many this is a selling point. The same is true for an Adult pointe class, or the occasional partnering class opportunity. This is again understanding what appeals to your body of Adult students and what doesn't, and doing what accommodates them. I also recommend that even if the consensus is that no one is comfortable or excited about performing, still work on a piece of choreography for your Adults. Continuously doing class work can get boring and working on a specific piece can bring a much needed dynamic, even if it never sees the stage. But the other option is doing a simple showcase at the last class of the season for their children or significant others to view. Having that goal and dare I say pressure, helps encourage consistent work and achieve all the other original goals that may be part of your Adult students' needs. Providing a good mix of opportunities is how you keep up interest and keep students engaged in your program.
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