Dancers, is there any hope at being successful with ballet at my age?

Question

I am 26 years old and have no formal training in dance and I have always wanted to try ballet but was never disciplined enough to follow through with getting lessons. I hope now is not too late. I don't want to compeat I just want the ability to dance well. I am very fit and take yoga so I am still flexible. Do you think it is possible to teach an older woman to move with the grace of a ballet dancer, who started when she was young, or has my ship sailed?

I did have my ACL repaired in my left knee but it has not given me a problem. It hasn't affected my yoga but you think it would hurt me in dancing?

Answer 1

i think you can become a formal dance teacher
if you really want to and work hard for it
you can do it!
just dont give up
i have some stretches you can do just in case you arent as flexible as when you were younger
but yes keep trying
butterfly stretches:
just in case you didnt the butterfly position is when your legs are both bended and form a diamond shape in front of you
all you do is hold your feet and get your head as close to the ground as possible and you can also use you hands to push down your knees so it will be closer to the ground or you can bounce your legs while in the position and push down whenever you are bouncing downwards.

splits stretches:

side split stretches:
1st stretch:take a thick book and put it down on the ground then put one of your feet on it and go down into the splits position as far as u can and hold it there for like 2 minutes and switch legs.then do it without the book.
2nd stretch:put one leg straight in front and the other leg fully bended and try to touch your foot that is straight and hold it for like 1 min then switch legs.
3rd stretch do the splits as far as u can down and hold it for 1 or 2 mins and switch legs.
4th stretch:if u can do the splits then hold your front foot for 30sec-1min then sit straight and bend your back and extend your arms backwards and do it with the other leg.
5th stretch: do lunges

middle splits:
stretch:do it as far down as u can and hold it there for 1 or 2min and rest for a few minutes and do it again.


and a lot of people do want to learn how to do the splits so you can use some of these stretches to help them

Answer 2

Like you even have to ask. I've seen women almost 40 (and older) do well with ballet, because they've kept in shape and have a passion for it. No ... I'm not one, although I wish. I took a couple of adult classes and saw what the older women were capable of. One of them ended up becoming a very good instructor with the academy and she was only a few years younger than me. Never had any other previous formal dance training. It's in the passion, as it is with any art. Go for it.

Answer 3

you can do it just for fun at your age. as a former dancer (started when I was 5 and did it for 20 years), those that start later are not as graceful. but you do yoga so that will help as you probably have good balance and flexibility. since you will be in a very beginner class, your knee will be ok. its the advanced levels that are very taxing on the body. make sure you let the instructor know as deep plies may aggravate the knee. my feet are a mess from all those years of pointe. have fun with it

Answer 4

If you are naturally graceful and have no intentions of dancing professionally you should try it. You already have flexibility and fitness on your side. Ballet is very strengthening and as long as your knees hold up, keep dancing. It's lots of fun and great cardio exercise, too.

Answer 5

Yes, absolutely with a yoga background I think you are as close to an adult natural as you can find.....I am familiar with a few pre-professional ballet companies in my area and there are several women in their late20's to their 40's that take lessons and even perform as part of the corps de ballet. I am in my 50's and take classes when I can -

Answer 6

You do in all truthfulness sound like an excellent candidate. Do you take to teaching and discipline very well? Because the only thing you might find lacking is innocence in dedication. I have been amazed at what I have been able to learn... later than originally planned. My husband, too. You are actually never too old. GO FOR IT!!!

Answer 7

You can totally be successful with ballet. Twenty-six is not that old to begin with. My grandmother is sixty-four and is doing ballet and tap. It's good that you're fit and flexible, so go for it.

Answer 8

you sound like a great person for ballet.
i think you should pursue it . you are flexible and you are active in yoga and whatnot.
do it . its such a great like experience

Answer 9

of course!! i know some women who are in their 60's and they just learned how to dance....they are really good actually

Answer 10

Of course don't be so hard on yourself!