Ballet is beautiful; however, make no mistake, it is not for the fainthearted. This art form takes years of discipline to bring every muscle under control to create the beauty and grace it is famous for. If you have always wanted to take ballet class but never had the mental capacity to imagine what it'd be like, this article will help you get started.
Most ballet classes are ongoing, so there is no actual "first class". As a new student, you will be asked to join the beginner class, which may be comprised of teens to adults with various levels of skill. Each student starts the class with whatever skill level they posses and learns to follow the prompts and directions of the instructor. You may feel overwhelmed by the French terminology, but as you learn to execute movements, you will catch on quickly to the terms being used. If you can't get a hold of the terms after the first few weeks, it'd be best to buy a DVD or book that specializes in the specified course. It will quickly bring you up to speed on what the terms mean and how to execute them.
For each ballet session, the opening takes place at the barre, where you go to warm up and stretch your muscles. The barre is also useful for learning to count with the arm and foot movements while conditioning your body for the floor work. A strict and effective ballet barre routine will take at least forty-five minutes to complete, doing all exercises on both sides of the body.
The next phase of ballet class takes you to the center of the floor where you will really dance and interpret the music. It's normal for a new dancer to wobble and waiver a bit without the use of holding the barre, but again, your body will find its center of gravity with practice. Just do your best and enjoy yourself, and you will have each element catered to your style of dancing.
When your ballet class is finished, it's important to let your body cool down before racing home. This is especially critical if the temperature outside is chilly. Wait until your perspiration has dried and your breathing returns to normal before heading to your car. In addition, to avoid muscle cramps, be sure to keep your arm and feet warm. Some dancers like to pack a muscle cream in their bag to apply to burning insteps or cramping calves. Apply your remedies before leaving class will often leave you feeling brand new the following morning.
Ballet dancers who wish to take their art to the next level will begin to prepare their feet and ankles for pointe shoes. The decision to put a dancer on pointe should come from your teacher under her personal discretion. When he or she believes you are strong enough to roll or jump to pointe without injury, the recommendation for pointe shoes will be made. Strengthening your ankles takes long hours of conditioning, so do not expect to be in your first pair of point shoes until you have paid your dues in class. This means hard work, total commitment and a restrained diet to keep yourself lean. The rewards of taking a ballet class far outweigh the initial pain when conditioning. You will see: the longer you dance, the more you're going to love it and will be grateful you finally enrolled in that first class.
