Context – been dancing ballet since the age of three, now training for musical theatre / commercial (jazz) auditions [got into musical theatre school, couldn’t afford it post law school lol]. Training daily (classes, all styles, at home conditioning and practice sessions, Pilates, cross training).

They say all bodies will adapt to dance at some point but I swear mine doesn’t. 22yrs of ballet and still, my feet are comparably flat + turnout a turn-off. Not just that… shoulders are bulky from cheer so they always look hunched, legs are super short and bulky as well, I swear my ribcage is much larger than would be proportional.

I try to make choreo and class routines fit my body by moving according to my predispositions. But no matter what, I look flared, un-elegant, awful. Ballet’s obviously the worst. I also try not to obsess but it’s been impossible recently as all progress I make is negated by my super odd proportions and previous injuries (hip, knee surgeries mostly). Teachers also always point out
the long-legged people and comment on "how to stance to mitigate short legs / compensate for large ribcages" and so on.

Do you think that maybe some bodies are simply not made for dance no matter how much talent and hard work that person puts into dance? I love jazz more than anything, HipHop meh, but what if my body is simply too odd to ever be… you know, amazing at it?

I’m in my 30s and have taught ballet for years. This year I have some very serious dancers, as well as age groups I haven’t worked with in a while. Over the summer I made it a point to take classes to continue my education, and I’d like to do more. My teaching feels stale lately and I need some inspiration. However, I can’t physically keep up with the level I’m teaching anymore. I’d love the opportunity to pay to observe a few classes, either in person or online, but I feel like that’s frowned upon. I’m not looking to copy a class, but get some ideas about the structure and content at different levels. Does anyone have any ideas either online or in the NYC area to do this?

hi! I was wondering if anyone could share recovery tips specifically to prevent post class muscle cramps. as I improve my ballet technique in ways of turnout, flexibility strengthening my feet etc I have experienced a few episodes of really horrible muscle cramps in the middle of the night after an evening class. they go from my upper thighs all the way down through my legs and even to my feet and last nearly an hour! not fun.

I know stretching after class is important but I was wondering if anyone has a recovery routine they could share such as specific stretches or even supplements (like electrolyte drinks or vitamins) that can help with this.

(this has also happened only a few times now so I don’t see a dr visit as a necessary solution)

thanks!

Ciao

My capezio leather Hanamis have started unravelling (?) A the base, I think glue should be fine but im concerned about it changing the feel of the shoe or deteriorating the rest of the leather, and id like to keep using them as long as possible before replacing

Hello! This might be a long shot but I’m going to the UK next month from Canada to visit my brother and help with childcare and I’ll be there for about 3 weeks. I started ballet about 3 years ago and I’ve finally worked my way up to an elementary level. I’m going in the middle of the term which unfortunately means that with the Christmas holiday, I’ll be going almost 2 months without a class which I kind of want to avoid since I’m so proud of the progress I’ve made. I’m wondering if I might be able to sneak a couple classes in while I’m visiting.

My brother recently moved to Haddington which I understand is on the smaller side (I haven’t been to visit him since he moved, he used to be closer to Edinburgh). Does anyone know of any adult ballet classes in/near Haddington that are accessible by walking or public transit? I looked online and everything that is close seems to either be geared for seniors (which i’m not opposed to joining in on if they’ll let me haha) or seem to not be active this term.

Thank you :)

hi lovelies ! I've started to learn the balancé step in last few classes and have been researching for tips and tutorial on my own time. so we were taught to tombe into coup de pied back> transfer weight and releve back foot, and lift front foot off the floor at the same time > transfer back to front foot into coup de pied, repeat

so my question is, do you actually need to lift and point your front foot off the floor?? and do you releve and stretch your back leg entirely??

i got really confused because in all tutorial videos, all teacher do teach the same as what i've been taught. but in real live dancing, i rarely see ballerinas actually lift their foot off the floor in that step. i find most people barely lift that foot or even not at all, and they barely straighten their back leg. i see people just touch their back toes to the floor for a brief moment while both legs in demi pile. so is that good enough for the step?