I need Advice from a Ballet Dancer :)?

Question

I'm starting Ballet this week for beginners

ive never taken any dance classes

but ive done acting classes and ive performed in some shows

I LOVE to perform

and ive always wanted to try dance but it very expensive and we havent had the money for it until now

i'm 15 btw

I'm a naturallly flexible person even without stretching (but i'm still no where near as flexible as dancers)

So are there any specific stretches that dancers do? or is it the the basic stretches (like hamstring stretch and quad stretch)?

And is there any thing i could know before going in?

i know the feet and arm posistions and i'm working on perfecting them

but is there anything else i should know?

Answer 1

hmm...okay well we do ALOT of bar work...and strecthes. The bar work and stretches r to warm u up and work on gaining muscle and flexibility. I'm sure you kno some of the basic stuff like plies; demi and grand, rand de jambes, tondues, splits, ect. Once you get into the class they will show you all the stretches you need to do...you should know once you get into more advancd  dance it gets hard...it hurts...you will be supremly sore..but dont give up just cuz it hard at time..keep dancing.

Good luck

Answer 2

Stretch in splits and do some piles mostly you will use 1st, 2nd, and 5th at the barre and so I don't know that studio but when you get in a higher level you will use 4th some times but thats about all I can think of Break a Leg!!!

Answer 3

Basic stretches.  Keep trying.  Don't be afraid to ask questions of the other dancers and the instructor.

Answer 4

since this is a beg. class the teacher is not going to expect you to know "everything"... they expect you to not to know much...since you know the basic positions i think that you will be just fine....since your a naturally flexible person i think that you will be fine...you will gain to be more flexible in time...just remember to stretch on your own.

Just in case here are a few basic stretches:

V-sit: sit with your back flat against a wall. Bring both legs as far back to the wall as you can and keep proper posture and straight legs. While keeping your posture, bring your back down towards the floor as your arms reach out in front of you (not down) as far as possible. Feel the stretch. Do this first pointing your toes, then flexing your feet. Try moving your legs out further as you go on. Also, you can reach out towards your right and left legs. Remember to breathe!

Straight leg stretch: Basically, keep your legs straight and feet together. Stand, and without bending your knees, reach down as far as possible. Put your weight on your toes (not your heels)–this feels a bit unnatural at first, but it is the proper way to stretch. You can also do this one sitting. Sit with proper posture, legs straight out in front of you and ankles together. Reach out with your arms. Do this both flexing and pointing your toes.

Sideways stretch: Ok, so you’ve probably figured out that I’m making up names for the stretches as I go along. Pretty creative, eh? Anyway, the “sidways stretch” goes like this. Stand in the straight leg stretch position. Now bring your right leg out in front of you (like you’re taking a step forward) about two feet. This doesn’t have to be precise, just as long as you’re close. Stand up, keep your posture back. Now reach down to your right foot, keeping your posture back and your hips in line. Your hips shouldn’t shift to aid you in your stretch. Go down slowly, and if you hips shift, come back up and try again. Go as far down as you can without shifting hips. After doing this for a minute, bend your left leg and continue stretching to your right. Now switch legs.

4 Stretch: Named because it looks like a number 4. Sit down on your butt and put both legs straight out in front of you. Bend your left leg so that your left knee is on the ground, your left foot also on the ground with the flat side touching your right knee, and your right knee is straight with toes pointed. See the 4 that your legs make? Stretch, with proper posture, to your right leg. Reach out with your arms, as far as you can. After a minute, remembering to breathe, of course, flex your right foot and continue reaching out for another minute. Switch legs, and repeat.

Standing V-leg stretch: Stand up, posture back, with your legs shoulder width apart. You can go a little wider if that’s more comfortable for you, but try to keep it as close to shoulder width as possible. Bring your straight arms between and beyond your legs–reach back. Also reach to your right and left legs. Reach down the center, too. As with the straight leg stretch, keep your weight over your toes rather than your heels.

Half squat: Squat. Keep your right leg where it is and place your left leg straight out your left side, toes pointed, as if you were doing the center splits with your left leg. Put your right hand on the ground to the left of your right foot. Use your right elbow to push your right knee out. You should feel stretching your inner thighs. Switch sides.

Answer 5

Because your a beginner, you should do some basic stretches, like your splits and straddles. They help me the most when I am in class. Once you can do all your splits you can make them a little more difficult by stretching forward and backward in your front splits, and side to side in your straddles. Also when you can do your front splits, you can slightly raise your front leg so that you are doing more that a split. But you will learn more difficult stretches as you advance in ballet. Don't be to stressed.  They will understand your just a beginner!  

Answer 6

If you are going to do Ballet I would start stretching by learning some things to do on a barre. I am sure you can find some good things online. Barre will not only help you with flexibility but alos with balance and it will help u to perfect you dance moves while holding on to something and not having to work on balancing in center. I have been dancing for 6 years and even though I absoletly hate barre we have to do it. My advice would be learn a plea combo, a tondue combo, degasae combo, frappe combo, and an bahtma combo. Then in addition to that work on your splits, crunches, push ups and fun things like that. If you are interested in dancing on stage like broadway or something I would reccomend a jazz and or Musical Theater classes. Well enjoy dancing!! And no matter what dont give up! It will so pay off in recital!

Answer 7

just have fun and stay focused. i did dance since i was little but not really much ballet. i know that you should just have strong calves and legs! thats very important.  

Answer 8

just start stretching and getting flexible

also work on your balance

your dance teachers will tell you everything you need to know so just have fun and work hard

good luck! :D