how many hours is appropriate?

[twinklingdance1990]

My school has around 15 hours of dance classes per week, including contemporary dance, pilates and ballet. Is it too little?

 

My previous school used to have about 40 hours of practice per week. And that 40 hours does not really include ballet and pilates. What should be the optimum number of classes per week? How many additional classes should I take outside of school??

[Mel Johnson]

Well, let's see. 15 hours does seem a little short, especially when you're trying to catch up in ballet. What is your class schedule like day by day? What kind of classes are you taking, and how long does each one last?

[twinklingdance1990]

I do 1.5 hours of ballet from monday to wednesday, and both saturdays and sundays. And 1.5 hours of modern from wednesday to sunday. Is it way too little?

[Mel Johnson]

Oh, heavens, yes. You have to catch up, but don't increase your classload all at once. You should be aiming at taking at least one (preferably eventually two) 1.5 hour ballet classes six days a week.

[twinklingdance1990]

ok thank you!

 

i realise the kind of flexibility needed in ballet seems to be very different. I can pull my leg up from back to front while standing but I am not able to keep a good height in the ballet arabesques. What kind of flexibility or strength training is good for ballet?

[Mel Johnson]

This may seem simple-minded, but please don't be offended. The best way to build the strength and flexibility you need for ballet is -- more ballet classes!

[twinklingdance1990]

ok that sounds logical thanks!! i'll add more ballet classes to my schedule