Just starting ballet...?

Question

I took my first ballet class recently and absolutely love it!! I've had previous dance experience, and I'm on the dance team at my school, so that helps with some of the technique and stuff, but are there any basic things I should know or be aware of as a beginning ballet student? Oh, and I'm also trying to lose some weight to look better in that leotard...any ideas?? Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

Congratulations! Ballet is the basis of all dance forms, you are correct in stating that it will help you with technique in your other dancing!
Don't push yourself too hard too fast. Many dancers who come to ballet from other forms are already athletic and have a base of dance knowledge. They think that they should really be able to do it all right away. They often injure themselves by trying to push their bodies beyond what they are ready for. Ballet uses different muscle groups than does jazz or tap or hip hop. When you work in a turned out position of the hip you will notice how much different it is to do even a simple battement compared to a jazz kick. So, take it slow. Concentrate on your barre work, these exercises: plies, tendus, degages, developes, battements....will really get you in shape and lay the foundation for good center floor work.
The problem I see in most dancers who started out in jazz without having ballet first is the proper body placement in their turns. Ask your instructor to critique your turns in ballet to be sure that you are keeping your upper body centered over your feet while in releve. This is a common problem, your instructor should be able to help you achieve proper body placement and alignment.
Don't worry about your weight, just taking the class will help out tremendously! Make sure you are eating a healthy diet, stay away from fad diets or diet pills these are no good for a dancer! The demands a dancer puts on their bodies is great and when you deprive you body of the healthy diet it needs, then diets will just backfire.
Good luck with your class, I love to hear when students are excited about dance!!!

Answer 2

Ballet is an excellent dance method. Stretching and back bends, pleays, Be careful when going to toe shoes, your achilles tendon needs to be strong but not sprung. That is the fatal blow to any ballerina. As a former ballet dancer 12 years, I swam as did many others for the muscles loosen up and they dont bunch up. Try water ballet and a whirlpool,(jacuzzi), if you can at least once a week. The balls of your feet will spred if you are not doing it right and that will cause you to have bunions later. Ballet promotes balance in your stature and walk, elevates your way of walking evenly shifting your weight, that will help with weight loss. You should drink plenty of pure juices, water, very little starch, and yet take calcium, in your daily supplements to promote your bone structures health. And if you can get pure Aloe juice mix it in with OJ if you dont like the taste it is pure vitamin C and no calorie wonderful for the digestive tract and will help you lose weight as well.

Answer 3

Ballet is very beautiful to dance and to watch. As a prodessional dancer of 17, I can tell you that it is an unforgiving dance. You must stay as happy about it later on. Don't loose the weight for the leotard. Loose it for better health. Some 'trinas (ballerinas) are not sticks... Have fun! Good luck... DANCE with everything you have!

Answer 4

ballet rocks
i have been dancing ballet for 10 years
what i would recommend is stretch at your level the best thing is to get flexible!!!!
for dancer one of the best tings to do is Pilate's
also do lots of ab work it will pay of in the long run
and watch what you eat being a dancer u need to be healthy
eat lots of fruit and veggies!!!!
also running is bad for dancer it can hurt your knees and it builds muscles that we should not build
swimming is the best exercise for dancers
good luck!!!

Answer 5

ballet is a great way to streighten up. even though i'm just 13, i've been doing ballet sense i was 5 and i can tell you this:
the french names of the moves can become confusing (even i still forget what some are, lol) so i suggest just watch your teachers feet/arms (EXPESTALY arms) and listen to the names and match the names with the moves. also, practice at home. strong ankles are essensial, but being on the dance team at your school should help with your ankles.
but just keep dancing!!!!!!!!!

luck.

Answer 6

Just keep your toes pointed, work on your turnout, and when you curve your arms make them look as if you have no wrists or elbows. Make sure to have good posture!

Answer 7

Get bigger leotards! You should really learn how to jump.