I'm starting ballet. Need some helpful tips. Questions inside? [: thanks!?

Question

Hi,

I tried a ballet class, and loved it. SO i decided to take one in the fall [: Im turning 13, and I know that once i get the hang of it i should do fine. But the teacher said i could just jump in, and im sorta nervous i wont no anything. Just cuz all those confusing words. I don't know whether she will teach me seperately or expect me to learn. If so, how can i memorize steps and words and turns.. etc? I am also going to buy shoes. I was going to get normal pink ones like my friend, but im not sure which ones to buy or what they are called? Do i get some with wood or what.. I dont know lol :) Im also trying to get SUPER SUPER flexible.. I am about a foot away from the middle splits, and i can barely touch my toes. I can go all the way to the floor when i just strech out one foot sideways, but i feel like i wont be able to do ballet bcz of this problem.. I know a ton of stretches, but i DONT know how to get flexible REALLY fast.. lol

Also, What do i wear? My teacher said bike shorts and a tight shirt is fine. but i kinda wanna wear like pink leggings with a pink tank and a skirt? Anyone have any good outfit ideas that aren't fancy tu tu stuff, just comfy? Thanks, sorry for the long q! Luv u all! Any more tips from experience? let me noooo thanks omg so much

Love,

moi

Answer 1

it's fantastic that you want to start dance, you'll love it!

you'll get the hang of it very quickly because your teacher will demonstrate every exercise before she makes you do it, and she may also do it with you.  if she notices you making a mistake, she'll try to help you correct it.  and the official ballet terms will just get drilled into your head; if you hear them often enough, you'll learn them.  you'll have no problem with that, i'm sure.

for your ballet shoes, i recommend elastosplit shoes because they let your feet arch to their full potential and let your teacher see your foot clearly.  just ask for them at a local dance supply store.  the ones with wood in them (and nowadays they're actually made with layers of glue and fabric) are called pointe shoes and they are reserved for more advanced dancers, so you won't be needing any of those until your teacher tells you you're ready.

don't worry about becoming flexible for ballet class, the classes are what will give you a dancer's flexibility.  after a year of ballet classes i can guarantee you that you'll see a major improvement in your flexibility.

your outfit all depends on your studio.  some schools require a leotard, sometimes of a specific color, and tights with hair in a bun.  other places only ask for comfortable exercise wear and hair pulled back.  i would recommend that you buy a nice leotard and tights, then wear your leotard and tights under a pair of soffee shorts or other athletic shorts and a tank top or tight t-shirt.  if you find that no one else wears a leotard you can start wearing just the shorts and tank top.  also make sure your hair is in a tight ponytail.

just try to have fun, listen to what your teacher tells you, and try your hardest.  also make friends and ask questions of experienced dancers; they'll be happy to help you out.  hope you like ballet!

Answer 2

Well, it seems to me like listening to your teacher would be a great idea.

And 13 - well, true, it's a BIT late, but only a BIT - you can still do it!!! Especially if you start doing ballet seriously -that means LOTS of practicing at home in front of the mirror, or in the studio before/after the class. I'm not kidding - ballet is a sport, so practicing is the ONLY way to make yourself better.

Answer 3

you'll get the hang of the names eventulally if you don't know the names stop and ask the teacher, don't try and follow along or else the others will think you're bad at ballet, not that you don't knowthe words.

here is how you get flexible,

legs(splits)- to do the splits i will take awile, do these streaches every day and you should be able to the spits in 2-7weeks.

1- preperation: put a warm water bag on your split area for 3min.(make sure you are whereing lose shorts or sweat pants)

2- preperation streaches: spread your legs apart as far as they can go comfortably. keep your legs strait and reach for each foot from side to side, then hold it on one side for 1 or 2 min then switch sides. then bring your legs together and reach for your toes without bending your legs. hold for 2 or 3 min.

3- holding streaches: go down in any splits as far as you can go, put a pillow under you and rest your split area on the pillow and hold for a while (30 mins), watch t.v , listen to music, or read to pass the time.

4- with friends streaches: me and my friends do this all the time. right and left leg split: have a pillow or icecube to bite on while you do this streach. lay down on your back have one person hold down your leg and have another person lift your other leg to 90 degrees, then 95(hold for 5min) 100(hold) and go on untill you reach 180degrees. straddel splits: sperad your legs as far apart as possible, have a friend put ther feet on your ankels and push back your legs as far back as they can.(make sure you are up aganst a wall)

back(bridge,backbend. touch toes) the brige shouldn't take to long to learn, 1-2 weeks. touch toes, like 5-7 DAYS

preperation- where lose fitting colthes and make sure you are on a soft surface i.e mats, grass ect.

preperation streaches- touch you toes, hold for 8-10 min. curl up into a ball and roll on your back 20 times back, forth 1 back, forth 2 and on.

holding streaches- hold the bridge as high as and good as you can 2-3min(don't stay up-side-down to long, if you feel dizzy come down and get some water.) once you do get your brige keep your arms strait.

with friend streaches- we used to do this streach we can all do it now. stand with your legs more then sholder lenght apart. have a friend stand behind you and you should bend back and follow them down like a ladder once you reach the bottom put your hands on the ground and straiten your arms. keep on dooing that untill you can go down without useing them.

You should where what she tells you because thats what all the other girls will be whearing, i wear a tight shirt and long sweat shorts to gymnastics and dance, honestly u would look like a newbie in ballet or a wannabe little girl.

Answer 4

ok..to start off with what to wear: something basic would be like leotard, tights and maybe a ballet skirt...

Shoes: go with a split sole, pink, knit soft ballet shoe...you don't want the leather

What i can say about the flexibly thing is to just keep stretching everyday and eventually you will become more flexible.

Answer 5

Yay for you!  Welcome to the wonderful world of dancing :)

Firstly, what to wear.  If your studio doesn't have a specific uniform, a black bodysuit and pink tights are a safe bet.  I'd recommend Capezio Ultra Soft full-sole or convertible-foot tights, because Mondor becomes nasty-coloured over time and no one likes Bodywrappers.  Make sure you get the Ultra Soft and NOT the Hold and Stretch because the Hold and Stretch are extremely uncomfortable.  This talk about brand names will probably make more sense once you go to actually purchase your supplies.

As for shoes, I'm assuming you'll be doing demi pointe as opposed to pointe (the kind with the hard toe).  I'd say Bloch full sole leather.  They're pretty standard.  The full sole will help work  the arch in your foot, and leather is more sturdy and it stretches.  Ballet shoes should fit fairly snug, and as they're leather, they will stretch over time.

In terms of classes, you'll probably just be plopped into class and be expected to learn, but don't be afraid to ask your teacher or the other students for help if you need it.  Memorization shouldn't be too difficult, so don't stress too much about that.  After a few classes you should know most of the names of the steps.

Flexibility.  There's no way to become amazingly flexible in a few days, and don't try or you'll hurt yourself.  Stretching at home will help work flexibility.  Try running up and down the stairs a few times to warm up to help prevent yourself from pulling a muscle.  Just do your stretches that you know, practice your splits, etc.  Stretch every day if you can, and you should notice improvement in a few days.  You might be sore after the first few days, but this is normal.  Lack of flexibilty shouldn't hinder you too much.  I have girls in my group (and I'm in the highest group at my studio) just as flexible as you and they're still decent dancers!

Dancing is the love of my life.  You'll make lots of friends and the bonds can last lifetimes.  If you like ballet, also look into jazz and tap if your studio offers them.  It'll help your technique to do lots of different styles.  Don't give up.  You might get frustrated, but practice makes perfect, as the old saying goes.  Enjoy the wondrousness that is dance.

Good luck and have fun :)

Love,

A fellow dancer♥

Answer 6

Best bet is to go get French language CDs to improve your French so when you get stuck in a French term like "pirouette", you know what it means.

You can also watch YouTube demonstrations of a certain ballet move....from simple things like demi-pile to the hard things like the fouette turn. You can also consult ExpertVillage.com....they show you also some ballet dance move demonstrations.

Leotard tights are usually a must....as well as ballet shoes. Leotards are tight because you want to see the aesthetics of the lower limbs as well as the feet. I think you can be radical and use red leotard tights to distinguish yourself from the rest of the ballet classmates that often wear clear or black leotards. Ditto for ballet shoes...you can wear red or pink ballet shoes instead of white or black ones.