When people think of ballet, they often envision children in pink tutus or professional dancers performing on stage, having years of training behind them. Ballet is a graceful art form and an excellent fitness discipline that welcomes adults of all ages and backgrounds. If you’ve ever wondered how to start ballet as an adult, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s enjoyable, rewarding, and life-enhancing.
At Bourn to Dance in Cambridge, we’ve welcomed many adults from different backgrounds, levels of fitness, and motivations. Some come for fitness, others for the sheer joy of dancing.
We have created this blog particularly for adults who are interested in joining ballet to help them prepare and get started.
Adult Beginner Ballet
It’s never too late to start ballet. One of the most common myths is that it is only for those who began as young children. While starting young certainly helps, it is very easy to find a class that is taught with adult beginners in mind, where the focus is on enjoyment, health and steady progression, rather than high technical acheivement or perfection.
Beliefs around being “too old,” “not flexible enough,” or “not having the right body” are simply myths. Ballet is for all bodies and all ages. Every dancer progresses at their own pace, and the aim in adult classes is individual improvement and overall fitness.
Why Start Ballet as an Adult?
Ballet offers many benefits beyond just being a fantastic dance form, some of which we have listed below:
Physical Benefits:
Fitness and strength: Ballet gently builds strength throughout the entire body, enhancing muscle tone, core stability, and endurance.
Flexibiilty and balance: Simple exercises like pliés and tendus improve strength and balance, while gentle stretching, after having warmed up at the barre, improves flexibility over time.
Posture: Ballet promotes mobility, improves posture, helps relaxation of unnecessary tension, supporting a healthy body and reducing the risk of pain or injury in daily life.
Injury prevention: Increased awareness and control of the body helps protect and strengthn joints and muscles.
Ballet is a great complement to other forms of exercise, and many of our students have used it as cross-training alongside their other sporting activities.
Mental Benefits:
Stress relief: Ballet class requires focus, which draws attention away from daily worries and grounds you in the present moment. It can be linked to a type of mindfulness or meditation practice, as one cannot think about other things in ballet, other than moving gently with the music
Confidence: Mastering a challenging step or sequence gives you a genuine sense of accomplishment and improves confidence.
Cognitive boost: Ballet makes the body and mind work, which improves memory, coordination and concentration
Socialisation Aspects
There is always a sense of fun and joy, and the social aspect of ballet class enhances many peoples’ lives. At Bourn to Dance, our adult classes are warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental. With us, over the years, many adults have not only discovered a love for ballet but also made lasting friendships.
Mindset Shift You Need if You Are Still Doubting Your Decision to Join Ballet
If thoughts like “I’m not fit enough” or “I’m not a dancer” are holding you back, remember that ballet can be learned by anyone at their own pace. In class, your teacher will guide you through movements safely and tailor exercises to your body and ability level.
Adult ballet classes are designed to be welcoming and supportive, even for those who have never danced before. Instead of doubting your decision, focus on your personal growth and enjoy the opportunity to learn something new.
How to Find the Right Ballet Class in the UK:
If you’re looking for a gentle way to stay active, move your body, and try something new, a ballet class can be a wonderful choice. At Bourn to Dance in Cambridge, we offer gentle adult beginner classes for people of all backgrounds, ages and body types, as well as an improvers class for those with a little experience in ballet already. Our approach is friendly, slow-paced, and focused on building confidence through simple movement and steady progress. You don’t need to be fit or flexible, just open to learning and enjoying the process.
Our classes are ideal for anyone wanting to improve strength, posture, and body awareness while discovering the joy of dance at your own pace.
What to Look For in a Ballet Studio
When selecting a ballet studio, look for safe facilities, with a good clean, smooth, wooden floor, accessible locations and welcoming communities.
While most traditional ballet studios have mirrors, they are not necessary for an adult beginner class. Many adults find mirrors off-putting and it’s perfectly OK to select an adult beginner ballet class held in a space without mirrors! After all, we are not expecting perfection, we are simply learning to move to music to build strength, fluidity and control.
Questions to Ask Before Joining
Before you join ballet classes, ask questions to get to know the teacher and get a feel for the dance school, and to make sure you are making the right choice. Here are some questions you may like to ask:
1. What should I wear at class? Where should I buy ballet shoes, and how should they fit?
2. What music is used in the adult classes? Recorded music, or a live pianist? Is it all classical ballet music, or is a variety of styles of music used?
3. I had an injury a few years ago, and I don’t have great mobility in my left knee (for example!) Can I still join the class and will it be safe? (Always tell your teacher about any old injuries or new pains you feel!)
4. If I attend classes regularly for some time and progress to beyond the beginner class, do you offer further adult classes for improvers, and then for intermediate level adult students too?
5. How experienced is the teacher with adult beginner classes?
6. Is parking or public transport available nearby?
What to Expect in Your First Class
Here’s what a typical first adult ballet class may include:
Warm-up: You will begin with a warm-up, using gentle movements to mobilise joints and muscles.
Barre work: Next you will go to the barre, and do exercises like pliés and tendus, to build strength, and port de bras to develop control and artistry.
Centre practice: After the barre exercises, you will dance in the centre of the room, beginning with ‘adage’ – slow exercises developing towards well known ballet positions such as arabesques and attitudes. And then the class may do some gentle ‘allegro’ – small jumps and travelling steps across the room.
Always remember to tell your teacher if you have any injuries, or if anything feels uncomfortable for you.
Cool-down: The session will end with stretching to relax muscles and promote flexibility, and a traditional ballet ‘reverence’ to close the class.
Common Ballet Terminology
If the thought of not knowing the ballet terminology on your first day makes you nervous, you are not alone. Many people you see are doing it for the very first time as well, so no one will judge you for not knowing the technical terms.
To make you feel confident on the first day of your new journey, we have listed some of the common terms that you may come across during the practice and what they mean:
● Plié: Bending the knees in a turned out position, and then stretching again. ‘Demi plié’ is a small bend, and ‘full plié’ or ‘grand plié’ is a deeper bend.
● Tendu: Stretching the foot along the floor, with a fully stretched knee, and then closing again maintaining a streched knee.
● Rond de jambe: ‘Circle of the leg’ – tracing a semi-circular shape on the floor with your extended foot
● Grand battement: a larger movement of the stretched leg where you lift it up off the floor, but don’t worry, this is fine at just 45 degrees – no need dfor 90 degrees or more as a beginner!
● Port de bras: arm movement throughout the class (literally translated as ‘carriage of the arms’)
● Adage or Adagio: Slow, controlled movements
● Allegro: faster movements such as jumps
Tips on Etiquette and Unwritten Rules
These are some common etiquette that you will be expected to follow during the class:
● Arrive in good time for the start of class
● Wear appropriate clothing and always tie hair back
● Ask questions respectfully, but avoid disrupting the flow
● Switch your phone off and leave it tucked away in your bag
What to Wear
If you’re just starting ballet as an adult, one of your first questions might be: what to wear to a ballet class? The good news is that you don’t need any special dancewear to begin. For your first few classes, choose comfortable, well-fitted clothing that allows you to move freely like a T-shirt and leggings. It’s best to avoid baggy tops so your teacher can help you with posture and alignment.
Ballet shoes are not essential for your first class. A pair of thin socks is fine to start with, as they allow your feet to slide easily on the floor. Sometimes you may be asked to remove your socks when moving around the room. When you’re ready, we can guide you on buying a good pair of ballet shoes. Don’t worry as adults, you will not be expected to wear leotards and tights unless you would like to. The main thing is to feel comfortable and able to move with ease.
Overcoming Challenges as an Adult
Here are some challenges you may face and ways to deal with them:
Physical Challenges: After your first class, you might experience sore muscles. This is normal adn a good sign! For faster recovery, use foam rollers, take a warm bath, and when your muscles are warm, do some gentle stretches.
Motivation: As with any new training, you might be very excited in the beginning, but as time passes, you might lose that zeal, and you may need some encouragement, as all adults do. Set realistic goals to stay excited and motivated. Try to find a ballet buddy for accountability and encouragement.
Conclusion
For those of you who have always dreamt of learning ballet, now is the time to do so. There is no age limitation when it comes to ballet. Starting late is absolutely fine, it’s worth trying rather than regretting never having done so! If you are wondering how to start ballet as an adult, we hope this blog will help you begin your journey and find a new version of yourself.
Bourn to Dance: Your Safe Place to Begin Ballet
At Bourn to Dance, we offer you a safe and welcoming space where you can explore ballet without any previous experience. Whether your goal is fitness, creativity, or simply the joy of movement, our ballet classes in Cambridge and the surrounding villages are the perfect place to begin.
Our expert teaching will ensure that the exercises performed in a ballet class help strengthen and support your knees, ankles, hip joints, as well as strengthen muscles throughout the body. All movement will be controlled and safe. If you have any injuries it is essential to discuss it in advance with the teacher, and she will ensure that exercises are done to help rehabilitation, rather than putting any strain on your body.
Get in touch with us at Bourn to Dance today for adult ballet in Cambridge and discover the dancer within you.
FAQs about Adult Ballet in the UK
Is it possible to start ballet as an adult?
Yes, absolutely! Many adults begin ballet for fitness, fun, and creativity. At Bourn to Dance, we have classes for adults where you can start your journey.
Is it worth learning ballet as an adult?
Ballet can be highly rewarding for adults, both physically and mentally.
How long does it take to learn ballet?
Progress varies from person to person. While you can notice improvements in strength and posture within weeks, more advanced skills take months to years.
Is ballet the hardest dance to learn?
Ballet is hard, it’s true, but it is worth it, and it helps with all other forms of dance, too. While it can be challenging, it is undoubtedly gratifying. Progress comes with patience and commitment.
What should I bring to class?
Bring a dance bag with you to the class. Things you may wish to bring with you include a water bottle, a towel, a spare t-shirt, ballet shoes, hair accessories like hairpins or hair ties, snacks, and any other personal items you may need.
