What can I do to prepare for a ballet class?

Question

Okay I'm 13 and really hoping to start ballet soon. I don't know much about it at all mostly just from movies...like center stage. I don't have shoes yet but I really want to start and prepare for a class. Without shoes what exercises can i still do? And how are you supposed to stand on your toes when dancing and stuff? Is it like the very very tips or your flat toes on the ground with your heels raised? And do you think I am starting to late?

Answer 1

Well what you should do is go to a dance studio and take a beginner ballet class. they might tell you to get shoes but ballet is able to be done in bare feet and or sock.( i rather bare feet for myself) in ballet depending on what you do your on the flat of your foot when you do reveles you'll be close to your toes.  you will and should be told to think about your core and engaging your muscles in the abs, tuck your butt under, and keep your shoulders down.  

Answer 2

you won't be standing on the tips of your toes until you are a pointe dancer. that is a long way off for you. you'll be standing on the balls of your feet. type in releve in google images. it should show you some pictures of what you'll be doing as far as that.

Answer 3

You won't be standing on your "toes" for awhilel (-=  standing on your toes is a type of dance called pointe which is only for a more experienced sesoned dancer! You'll be using regularar ballet shoes for awhile

Try to build up your flexibly, which is key in dance! stretch daily and practice jumping with your toes pointed.

13 is a little late to start, since most girls start at a young age BUT..theirs hope. Sign up for a beginner teen adultlt class that many studios have, it will teach you the basics so your not overwhlemed. Jumping into a class thats desgined for girls your age right off the bat would be trouble, for you'd often feel lost and coufused considering many girls have been dancing for years. One you learn the basics in the teen class keep praticing and soon you can be up to speed with girls your own age

(-= GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

You will first need to learn how to dance flat ballet before being en pointe.  The way pointe shoes work is that there is a block of wood in the toe, so when you move onto the wood your toes are pressing against it and your are putting all of your weight on your toes and ankles. Your ankles need to be very strong in order to properly dance en pointe, hence why you must learn flat first.

If you have no experience whatsoever, I would suggest stretching daily in order to become a little more limber. You will also need to learn the foot positions for ballet.  These are the major steps of ballet, and you will generally begin a class on this.  A great website for some "easy" things you can do on your own as a beginner is here: http://www.artofballet.com/class2.html

As for starting too late, 13 is not exactly the best age to begin dancing.  However, if you practice daily and have natural talent then you will probably do well.  If you want to dance professionally, though, the chance of learning the proper technique and competing with the millions of dancers who have been dancing since they were able to walk is pretty slim.

Good luck!