Returning to Ballet

Julie, at Ballet for Grownups, has some nice words of encouragement for those returning to ballet after a long break, be it after 1 year or after 50 years!

Here are some words of encouragement to make you feel comfortable about joining Ballet-Based Fitness for the first time, or coming back after a break:

• Don't feel intimidated:  We're all just regular folks.  We foster a friendly, encouraging environment free of competitiveness, judgement, and criticism.
  
  
• Don't worry about how you look:  You don't have to look like a ballerina to enjoy doing ballet.  Every person is beautiful, just as they are.  We appreciate and celebrate everyone's individual gifts. 
  
  
• Don't worry about your fitness or flexibility:  After being away for two years because of COVID, we're all starting over.  We will begin slowly and simply.  We will work our way back to better fitness and flexibility, together.
  
  
• Don't worry about ballet terms: True, ballet terms are in French, but we demonstrate and explain all the terms and you'll soon get to know them by heart.  And if you forget, there's no shame in asking!
  
  
• Don't worry about having "ballet clothes":  Regular exercise wear is just fine for this class.  Wear whatever you have that is comfortable and allows you to move freely.  If you don't have ballet slippers, socks will be fine for the first few classes.
  
  
• Don't worry about keeping up:  Doing ballet combinations will challenge your concentration and memory.  But you won't be on your own trying to remember those combinations.  We explain and demonstrate the combinations, and there is always someone to follow. 
  
  
• Don't worry about making mistakes:  Who doesn't make mistakes?  Mistakes are part of learning.  What's important is that you give it a try!