Sent to ballet lessons by coach....?

Question

My basketball coach is sending me to extra curricular ballet lessons to learn more flexibility and balance, ugh!!!

What kind of things do guys do in ballet classes? Presumably it's different to what girls do. Is it just basically stretching and stuff. And what do guys normally wear?

Answer 1

This should cheer you up. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlDIhzMLSJ4

Answer 2

Don't worry, it's nothing sissy. Yeah, other guys will giggle, but get over it.
Ballet dancers are some of the most athletic people I've ever met, it's a very demanding activity. You'll do a lot of stretching and learn to master a few basic movements - how to spin around using "spotting" without losing balance or getting dizzy; how to jump and leap gracefully and without hurting your legs or back; proper posture and kinesthetics (body awareness). You probably won't get into anything too advanced.
Girls learn similar things, but slightly different movements. Once they reach a certain skill level, their work is much much harder than the boys', because they then have to dance on the tip of their toes instead of the balls of their feet.

You can probably wear what you usually wear to the gym. A tank top or short-sleeved t-shirt, and sweatpants or gym shorts (make sure you have something modest on underneath, or during the stretching you'll have everyone staring at your junk). Take a look around your first day, and notice what the other guys are wearing (no, it probably won't be tights), that will give you a good idea.

have fun and good luck!

Answer 3

Ballet is not just stretching and stuff. For you, it will be more about developing coordination and being able to control your body; being strong while still being flexible.

If you are concerned about what to wear, call your dance teacher. What may be appropriate for a dance school where I live may not be comfortable for the dance school where you will be going. You will probably need shoes, so you need to be prepared for that. The teacher may also have a dress code of sorts so that you'll kind of match the females. Like if they wear navy leotards and pink tights, the teacher may ask for you to get a form fitting navy tee shirt and light coloured spandex shorts. The clinginess of the clothes is nothing to be ashamed of - the teacher needs to see your body so that she can correct your technique fully in class.

As far as the teaching being different for guys and girls, it won't be that different. You'll be at a beginning level so you'll need to work on stretching, balance, and various barre and center techniques. Everyone at the beginning is pretty much the same. It's when you get into jumps and turns that things tend to diverge.

Go in with a positive attitude and make the most of what you are taught. It will be fabulous for you and you'll be amazed at how much work it is and how much better shape it will help you be in. Good luck to you and have fun! : )

Answer 4

I'm a non-traditional academic major (not in fine arts) that took ballroom dance in spring and summer and tried to take it again in the fall, but found myself in beginners ballet instead.

There are thirteen women and three men in my class.

The men wear black tights and white t-shirts, the kind you'd describe as an undershirt you'd wear under a dress shirt you'd wear to church or on a job interview. You probably have that already.

They also wear a dance belt. You'll buy that at a dance store. That's a special garment to hold your privates in place. Function here is similar to a jock strap, but without the hard cup, I'd imagine.

In beginners ballet class we work on posture, positions, movement, stretching, jumping, barre work, but not lifts (that's beyond the beginners semester, I asked). Guys do everything the gals do, so far.

This is an area where I'm just a newbie.

Have fun and enjoy the view, but don't leer.

-EN-

Answer 5

Guys usually wear T-Shirts and Shorts for practice. Costumes depend on the part you play (yes it's more than just stretching) for the recital. Guys usually get a lead part because there are so few of them in class. This includes dancing with an often lifting the girls (manditory touching).

My cousin was sent to ballet lessons by his football coach for the same reason your going. He ended up liking it so much that he gave up football! I can't remimber the number of dates he got from ballet class, but it was quite a few (lucky B@$%@#D). All with great bods.

Answer 6

Happens all the time.

A lot of pro football players have done the lessons.

But to tell you the truth, if there are women in the class you will love it because there is a lot of close contact, lifting, holding them to help them stretch.

I'm serious, ballet chicks are hot and in shape.

Go because at the very least you will meet hot girls from the classes before or after yours or better yet in your class.

Just wear what you would normally wear to gym class and they will help you decide what you need during the first class... or call ahead and ask them what to wear.

Answer 7

Mike,

Is he serious? Do you really have to do that? I feel badly for you if you're not serious about doing it...

But, if you are, I took it years ago, so I'm not sure if it's the same now... but this is what it was like when I took it..

There is always a combination of three things. Floor stretches, barre work and then combinations across the floor. That's what our class always did. All three things help to gain better control of your body. They work on lengthening your muscles, improving your posture, and gaining better flexibility. There is always someone leading the class instructing you exactly what to do. There is always someone next to you to watch in case you get confused or aren't sure.

Usually the males in our class did the same stretches on the floor and mostly the same work on the barre that the females did. They also did most of the same combinations across the floor (combinations of jumps or "runs" across the floor in patterns). The difference is when you actually go to watch ballet, many times you'll see the male when dancing with the female he looks as though he's more spotting the female .. or helping her by lifting her or holding her at the waist, etc. We didn't have much of that happening in our class. That's usually more advanced performance, and the males in our class were pretty much doing the same things as we were.

The males in our class wore tank-type fitted tops with dance pants.. these were sort of like sweat pants but tight fitting so the teacher could see your muscles and make sure you were using them properly and holding poses, etc the proper way. They wore jazz or ballet shoes, whichever was required. You can call the place you'll be going to, and ask them what the requirement is for males to wear. It might be totally different depending where you go. Some dance studios are more lenient and let their dance class attendees wear sweats and a leotard, others insist on leotards and tights, so, you just have to call ahead and ask, being sure to ask about shoes too.

Don't worry, it's not like you're going to be flitting around in a tutu. Most people that take ballet are serious about it, and not there to joke around. Just realize what you're there for, and get the most you can out of it. :-)

Answer 8

first off Mike, you have to get that attitude out of your head, I have been a ballerina for 9 years and believe me, it is no sissy work out!!! Ballet for guys involves weight training(lifting girls)flexibility(barre work and stretching), working of your core muscles and center(barre work and jumps and leg lifts, or tendu.) muscle development (center combinations andbarre work) and many other things like balance, muscle tone, strength, etc. When you are done with your hour expect to be sore. And male ballet dancers are a, usually very good, b, usually very good looking, c, usually very frendly. I think you'll pick it up in no time.
now for the wardrobe, it varies from school to school, but my school has the guys wear dance pants (similar to sweats, except more form fitting so that you can dance better) you can buy these from a dance store. usually they just wear a plain tshirt or tank on top, and black ballet shoes on their feet. as others have said before me, you should probably call the studio where you're dancing to double check. dont wear your basketball shorts or uniform. doesn't go over well when one of the guys at my studio decides to be "rebelious" and tried to dance in them. its actually pretty hilarious.
The way ballet for guys is different from girls is that they dont have to go on pointe (on their toes), but the leaps and steps are basically the same. since you are going to be just starting, there probably aren't going to be a lot of advanced moves, but you will learn turns, leaps, jumps (which are 2 different things) and barre work as well as stretches. I think you will actually enjoy it and I would like to welcome you to the fabulous world of dance. It may be that after you're done with all your coach requires you may consider continuing, it can be addicting, and don't be suprised if there are lot of hot girls in your dance class! Dancing gets you in amazing shape and you get all hot and sweaty while youre dancing!! :) plus, you'll eventually have to lift them when you get good enough.........
love
a ballerina

Answer 9

Pink tights and a tutu... Seriously ask your dance teacher on what clothing you should wear. As for the class you would barre work some and some foot work. I took some dance classes to get my flexibility back after I broke my foot

Answer 10

you can still audition for the royal ballet to join in year 9? however it will be quite hard as most of the places will be filled, there may only be one or two places due to appraisals. i think you should try to audition for their lower school and JA/SA classes or wait abit and audition for the upper school at 15, which is what i am doing :)

Answer 11

in my class guys wear black tights or pants and a white shirt

they do basically the same stuff, except they are expected to be higher jumpers and less flexible

you might want to take jazz, its a little more fun and less serious