Class Guide

Welcome to Ballet-Based Fitness!

This class combines floor exercises, traditional beginner ballet barre work, and simple center exercises to help improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and overall well-being.  Ballet is a beautiful art form that also happens to be an excellent way to exercise both your body and your brain.

This class is designed to be fun, relaxed, and welcoming. Whether you're a complete beginner, returning to ballet after many years, or have previous dance experience, you'll find a supportive, non-competitive environment. I explain and demonstrate each exercise as we go, so no prior experience is necessary.

My approach emphasizes safe, sustainable movement. I adapt traditional ballet techniques for adult bodies, avoiding repetitive or overly strenuous movements that can place unnecessary stress on joints and soft tissues. My goal is to provide enough challenge to keep you engaged while helping you build confidence rather than frustration.

I believe every body deserves to experience the joy of movement.  People of all shapes and ability levels are welcome, and we celebrate progress in all its forms.

This class is perfect for adults who:

  • Have always wanted to try ballet but felt intimidated by traditional studio classes.

  • Took ballet years ago and would love to return.

  • Are looking for a safe, injury-conscious approach to ballet and fitness.

  • Want a creative, enjoyable way to improve strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and cognitive health.

Things to know before you come to class:

  • You will be asked to confirm you have read the school's liability waiver when registering for the class.

  • Always listen to your body.  Skip or modify anything you can’t safely or comfortably manage.

  • Do worry about mistakes; we all make them.  Learning ballet takes time, so be proud of what you accomplish in the moment and look forward to improving over time.

  • Wear exercise clothing that is comfortable and easy to move in.  For colder days, bring layers to keep yourself warm.  For hotter days, wear looser, breathable clothing and bring a hand-fan to cool yourself, if you’d like.

  • In warm weather, feel free to bring a hand-fan to cool off during class.  Never push yourself too hard if you are feeling overheated.  Dress in looser, breathable clothing, to prevent overheating.

  • Bring hydration to class in a non-spillable container.  You may keep it with you on the floor and at the barre.  Please wipe up any condensation that forms on the floor.

  • For your comfort during the floor exercises, bring an exercise mat, yoga mat or thick towel to lie on.

  • Class starts promptly at 7:00 PM.  You're welcome to come early to warm up.   If you’re running late, please come to class anyway.  If you need to leave early, please feel free to do so.

About Ballet Shoes:

Traditional, soft ballet slippers or jazz shoes are recommended for this class, but socks with non-sticky bottoms are also okay.   Please no bare feet.

Traditional Ballet Slippers:  Upper is leather, non-stretch canvas or stretch-canvas. Sole is leather and may be split-sole or full-sole. The type you pick is your personal preference. Colors are usually pink, white, black or tan. Most come with elastics already sewn in. Ballet slippers generally do not come in left/right configurations; both slippers in the pair are identical. Pick a left and a right and label them with a permanent marker inside. Wear them consistently on the same feet and over time they will form to your feet. Cost ranges from $15 - $45, depending on brand and style.

Jazz Shoes:  Upper is leather, and may have elastic gussets (for slip-ons) or laces over the instep. Sole is leather or neoprene and may be split-sole or full-sole. These shoes have a small (~ ¼”) heel, which can help provide stability or heel-relief if you have tight achilles tendons or plantar fasciitis. Colors are usually tan or black. Cost ranges from $25 - $50, depending on brand and style.

Until you know the brand and size you like, go to a dance wear store to try on and purchase your shoes (see “Resources” below). The store associates will help you pick a pair that fits your feet. Dance shoe sizing varies widely by brand and style and will not necessarily match your street shoe size. Get shoes that are comfortable on your feet, and don’t slip off or twist as you move in them. Your shoes should fit snugly, but not too tightly. Your toes should not feel cramped or bent, especially when doing plies and when standing in demi-pointe.

Resources:

Class Website / Blog:
  • Ballet-Based Fitness Blog (https://balletbasedfitness.blogspot.com/) This blog contains information about the class, as well as a growing, curated collection of helpful, interesting online information and resources about adult ballet.
Instagram:
  • Follow us on Instagram @balletbasedfitness.  I post videos of the combinations we do in class on this Instagram account.
Dancewear Stores:
  • The Dance Shoppe (https://srvda.com) 101 Ryan Industrial Ct, San Ramon
    925-838-9101 (limited hours, call before you go)

YouTube Channels:

These are some YouTube Channels where I have found good follow-along videos (for at-home use) and ballet information.  Many of these videos are also featured in this class's blog posts.  For any follow-along videos, remember to only do what you can safely manage.

Ballet Content:
Yoga / Pilates / Stretching Content:
Local Ballet Studios:

In case you're interested in trying out ballet classes at other local dance studios, here is a list of nearby schools that may offer adult ballet classes (also called "open-division" classes).  Be aware that such classes may include students in their late teens and twenties, and the curriculum, even if geared toward "beginners" may be considerably more difficult than our class.  Never hesitate to skip anything that you feel isn't right for your body. Ask to take a free "test" class before you commit to pay for more.