Too old to start?

March 19, 2003

How old is too old to really start ballet? I'm 48, and feel older since I was injured 3+ years ago. I haven't been able to really exercise as I used to, but feel ready to start something. The only real exercise I really enjoy is dancing, but is the strain going to be too much for me?

I've tried following along with my daughter and her ballet tapes. I can make it about 15 minutes before I'm winded and too sore to go on. The thighs burn with all those plies! Also, I have to modify the arm placements as I still cannot hold my arms out to the side for very long. (the injury is a repetive strain to my neck shoulders and upper back).

Anyone out there that ever started 'old' and/or injured, that can offer some advise?

March 19, 2003

I am in my mid-50's and I started ballet in January. I had taken ballet in college, but given it up at 21. I was a runner/jogger for many years until my knees started to complain. I absolutely love taking classes, even though I am undoubtedly the oldest beginner this school has seen! There is only one class open to adult beginners (and I am the only "adult" over the age of 18 - ), so I also take a private lesson from the same teacher once a week. She is very patient and encouraging, and intrigued by my late blooming interest. The teenagers in my class are not particularly focused during class and I think she likes my seriousness. I can't take myself too seriously but I pay attention to her corrections and try my best with everything. I am a little self conscious but why should I be, if I am having fun?

I am slowly making progress in the barre portion of class but am pretty lost in the center. That is where the private lesson helps, because I can break the combinations down into manageable steps. I was never good at turns but I will try, and I am practicing spotting as much as I can. The best thing, in addition to the thrill of learning something new, is that I feel physically re-invigorated after class. Good old serotonin rush!

March 19, 2003

Spring Greetings,

I have witnessed many beginning students over 40 including myself.

First of all, my husband and I started about 6 years ago. We really enjoy lessons and we are taking twice a week or some times more ever since we started.

When my husband agrees to take a ballet class with me (he always loved to watch ballet, opera, etc.) he had a hip injury and doctors told him that his pain might or might not continue to the rest of his life.

As far as to my knowledge, my husband is the most inflexble person I ever saw in the ballet class. At the time of his start, he couldn't even put his leg up on the lower barre unless he bends his supporting leg (and of course, his working leg was also bended on the top of barre). I also recall he had hard time bringing his leg down once he manages himself to put his leg up on the LOWER barre. This man is 6 feet tall with short arms but not short legs). Our first teacher was some what had a strange sense of humor and she said to him at the end of center excise, "You walked whole through!" meaning, we were doing a simple chasse or gallop across the studio one at the time or with the class ( he never dare to do anything by himself unless at least 4 to 5 people were with him for the emortional security.) I am so proud of him that he swallowed all his pride and kept up the ballet.

Our studio life went on and on untill a year or so later, he noticed his hip doesn't hurts anymore. And ofcourse by then, he can do lower barre without bending his legs. He might be using the upper barre now, I don't know... I tend to stand a far away from him. (just kidding). He is doing much better, He even do a good Pirouette now and then.

Another example was a lady who is recovering from a physical atrophy was taking the class with us but by the time she was getting better, she switched to Jazz. Currently, our class mate who just recover from brocken bones is trying hard to getting back to her former strengh. Other than these people I mentioned, I withnessed at least 4 to 5 senior citizens come and go but those who continues are the winners! I forgot to mentioned that I had pinch nerve on my shoulder when I started but dissapeared after a few months. Yes, we were both wreck at the time. Good Luck!

March 20, 2003

I do not recommend trying to learn ballet by following along with video tapes. You could almost certainly start now and make progress and get a lot out of ballet. But trying to do that without a teacher is foolhearty.

March 20, 2003

There is that old cliche "Its never too late to start" and its true! All the best of luck to you. A couple tips for you: Instead of following a tape that cannot give corrections, try finding a beginners adult class if available. Also, remember to breathe as you dance, I have seen a lot of adult dancers that are concentrating so hard on the movement itself that they forget to inhale and exhale...thus you feel winded and your muscles are more strained in trying to execute a movement. More cramps develop as well if the muscles are not getting the required oxygen. Most importantly, enjoy dancing.

March 20, 2003

Pointehill, that beathing information is very helpful. Teachers always say "Breathe!" but I never connected it with muscle cramps or exhaustion.

Thanks!

March 20, 2003

I met a woman at an open class who had started dancing at 70 years of age and is still dancing at 77. She was quite incredible.

Leslie

March 20, 2003

I don't think the age is a factor at all... Your fitness and health are a more important one though, and that's what needs to be checked before going to a class.

If you've been given the ok to start a class, then you should check that the teacher is an experienced one and clearly knows what s/he teaches (does it safely too).