r/BALLET 1d ago

new and returning to ballet sticky New and Returning Dancers Post Your Questions Here

5 Upvotes

Hello! Welcome to r/ballet, a community for dancers and enthusiasts of all ages, sizes, and levels. We are proud to have a community of beginner students, professionals, and dancers in between here to support each other through our dance journey.

If you are wondering if you should start ballet, please read below. If you have further questions or are looking for encouragement, please post in this thread specifically. Furthermore, if you would like to ask some other questions regarding starting ballet, please post them below.

1) Am I too old to start ballet?

No, you'll find in this community we have dancers who began ballet in their 50s and 60s and have loved every minute of it. If you are looking for encouragement, or to hear from them specifically, please make a comment in our Weekly New and Returning to Ballet thread at the top of this subreddit.

2) Am I too old to become a professional?

If you are on reddit then the answer is likely yes, sorry. If you are a female under the age of 14 or a male under the age of 17 then you might have a very small chance (in an already very competitive industry) if you enrolled in a ballet school and train full time, about 5 hours a day 6 days a week. This is not possible for a lot of people financially or time-wise, but that's the reality of becoming a professional. This is a niche industry with lots of competitors, dancers train all their lives and still don't find jobs.

But don't let this stop you from dancing. If you love to dance, if it brings you joy, then what does it matter if you make money through it anyways? You can still make a lot of good progress and find fulfillment in performance opportunities without a dance career. Still questions? Don't make a new post but please comment here

3) Do I have a 'good' body for ballet?

If you take a ballet class, and you have a body, then you have a good body for ballet (sorry, no ghosts). Please do not make posts asking whether or not your body fits certain criteria (e.x. "do I have good feet for pointe?", "do I have the right shaped arms to be a professional?") as these questions are meaningless, there is no criteria for learning ballet.

4) Can men do ballet?

YES. 50% of all professional dancers are male, 50% of all roles in ballet are male. Ballet as a stereotypically 'feminine' thing is a misconception. An average ballet class is for both men and women, and some parts will have different genders do different things, this is common. There is nothing 'weird' with a man wanting to learn ballet, just as there is nothing weird for a man wanting to learn piano or fencing or any other art, activity, sport.

4.5) Can someone who identifies outside the gender binary do ballet? YES. Ballet, being an old art form, does traditionally stick with the ideas of men and women with regards to characters in ballet, pas de deux partnering, and specific elements in class. For example, men bow, women curtsy. Feel free to choose whatever works for you (or if you feel like neither is appropriate talk to your teacher about another option).

5) Can I teach myself ballet?

No. It's possible to learn some basics off the internet, but if you want to progress past the very basic/introductory level you will need to enrol in a class with a qualified teacher. Ballet technique is an extremely nuanced art form, it needs a trained eye to correct. Worst case scenario you end up with an injury from improper technique over time, and even in the best case you will have not learned 'ballet'. If you want to learn a style of dance in the comfort of your own home, ballet is not for you. There are lots of other styles you can try instead. DO NOT ask technique questions if you have never taken a ballet class with a live teacher, nothing said over the internet will be able to help you if you haven't learned the basics with the right muscles.

Don't forget to read the 'side barre' and take a look at previous Am I too... posts


r/BALLET Oct 13 '25

accomplishment🤩🄳 Weekly Update - Stars and Wishes

3 Upvotes

How is your dance journey going this week? Share with us your STARS (things you want to celebrate), for example getting a company contract, landing your first triple pirouette, or working up the courage to try the next level class? Share with us your WISHES (things you want to improve/complain about), for example working on your balance with little success, the new student who doesn't understand spacial awareness, etc.


r/BALLET 13h ago

Classmate told me that ballet isn't real exercise even though she was a ballet dancer before

84 Upvotes

So I was discussing with my classmate about my upcoming ballet class and how sad I am that I will probably not have a lot of time to attend many classes because of studying (we are in med school). She asked me if I do something else and I told her that my only form of exercise is ballet and she scoffed and said that it isn't real exercise šŸ’€šŸ’€ she then proceeded to tell me that she says it out of experience because she was a ballet dancer for 8 years while in school and even had a diploma. I was so confused about how the activity that exercises your body literally from the soul to the skin isnt considered an exercise šŸ’€šŸ’€ I'm not even a professional ballet dancer and I was offendedšŸ’€ To me ballet is probably the best form of intellectual, spiritual and physical exercise.

Feel free to enlighten me.

*Sorry for any grammar mistakes English isn't my first language* Edit: this post gathered a lot of attention and the comment section is a comfort place lmao. I agree with literally every one of you and thank you for responding. Have a nice day šŸ«¶šŸ»


r/BALLET 7h ago

Ring toe sore?

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20 Upvotes

I don't remember doing anything specific to injure it, but for the last couple months my "ring toe" (lol - the one beside the little toe) on my left foot has felt bruised. It's the non-anklet foot in photos. I don't notice it in regular day to day movements, but when I relevƩ or do that one foot stretch where your toes are turned under (pictured in 3 - I can typically stand on my toes like this ikywim), it hurts. Resting hasn't helped (I've had stretches of no classes bc summer). Touching or manipulating the area doesn't hurt at all and feels totally normal.

Any ideas or things to try? I'm a middle-aged recreational (but lifelong) dancer.


r/BALLET 7h ago

PBT is insane

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9 Upvotes

I decided to try a PBT class. I'm about 2 months into ballet and couple of the people at the studio I attend said I should try it. Saw the exercises online and was like yeah seems like something I could do.

Ngl I went in way over confident. Watching these young women half my age hold these poses and work through the movements with ease was so humbling. They did so good 10/10. I felt so uncoordinated by comparison. I thought I had good balance. No turns out I have a decent amount of strength in my legs, but my core is weak af. I've been compensating. My legs were shaking so bad afterwards.

For context I had a morning class and an evening class yesterday. Each was about an hour. Pbt followed the evening class. In general I also run and hike weekly. It was daily, but adding in dance has made me rethink my workout plans. I abstained form running yesterday.


r/BALLET 8h ago

Constructive Criticism Is Joffrey NYC Trainee Program a Good Program?

4 Upvotes

Does anyone know if this program is good for producing good quality dancers? That would most likely make it into being at a good company? Is their 4 year ballet trainee program actually worth the money they charge? Please leave your thoughts below.


r/BALLET 1d ago

Ballet Pet Peeves

108 Upvotes

Let's hear 'em!

Mine is getting corrected, not feeling/seeing the difference at all, and having the teacher say, "That's so much better! See how much better that is?"


r/BALLET 1h ago

Technique Question Floor barre resources?

• Upvotes

What online resources do we like for floor barre? There aren’t any in-person classes in my area.


r/BALLET 13h ago

Swan Lake by International Festival Ballet

4 Upvotes

I’m considering going to see Swan lake by International Festival Ballet & festival orchestra - anyone know if they’re good and worth going to?


r/BALLET 22h ago

How to stop leotard neckline from shifting down?

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15 Upvotes

(1st image is where I'd like things to sit, second is after a few hurried mirror cambres lol)

Hi guys,

I recently got a Capezio camisole leotard with a built-in shelf bra. I'm not sure if the bra itself is causing this, but cambres make the neckline shift downwards to an uncomfortable degree. The fabric doesn't really "bounce back" to its initial position and things start to bunch up weirdly afterwards. I've never experienced this with the other two leotards I own (one Eurotard and one Mariia), and I don't want to be constantly adjusting things in class.

Should I try and get rid of the bra, or is there another problem here? (fabric issue, torso too long, maybe straps too long atp)


r/BALLET 20h ago

Technique Question Pirouettes and fouettes better on different legs?

9 Upvotes

I have many things wrong with me to be fair lol. However, I've noticed that I can pirouette far easier standing on my left leg, but can complete more fouettes on my right.

Does this make any sense? I feel like I ought to just be more balanced on one than the other?


r/BALLET 1d ago

Constructive Criticism thoughts on my 1st pair of pointe shoes?

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52 Upvotes

these are the merlet belles, the pics are mirrored - i think my right foot looks decent (though i honestly have no clue and i was told by the fitter that i twist a lot on my right) but i feel like my left looks terrible! i haven’t sewn ribbons on yet as i’m waiting until i see my teacher for her to help me with the most suitable placement.

thoughts on the fit, my own strength/ability to get over?


r/BALLET 1d ago

Have you improved turnout?

14 Upvotes

Hi!

I was wondering if any adult beginners (as in did not dance as a kid) have actually seen improvement in their turnout over time.

I have a lot of internal rotation and a really ugly not even close to closed fifth position. I take class 3x a week and am doing turnout exercises at home.

Have any adult beginners seen actual improvement in their turnout and fifth?


r/BALLET 18h ago

Dancewear Monday (No criticism) Unitards for cooler weather

3 Upvotes

Hi
I have purchased a few unitards. It too hot wear them now but when do most people start to transition to wearing them, in the autumn or just winter?


r/BALLET 1d ago

Taking a year off. Completely Devastated. Tips for keeping technique in the meantime?

22 Upvotes

Due to financial concerns, I'm having to take a year off from dance. Please don't ask "but have you tried-" yes. I have. This is my only option right now.

In the meantime, how do I keep up my technique? I have a very solid conditioning routine, so I'm not really worried about losing strength, I mainly just don't want my body to forget everything I've been learning.

I have access to a large studio space at my gym, if that helps.


r/BALLET 1d ago

Adult classes in Osaka, Japan?

4 Upvotes

pre pointe! please recommend! I’m also wanting see a ballet performance our dates are december 5th-10th let me know if you know of any companies performing on those dates! Thank You!!!


r/BALLET 1d ago

Has anyone here ever had a partial nail removal and matrixectomy?

4 Upvotes

I saw a podiatrist over a week ago to get advice on my ingrown toenails. It’s been incredibly painful dancing on pointe and I usually have a high pain tolerance. He suggested a partial nail removal and matrixectomy. The only thing I knew about this was that recovery could take some time and I was nervous about that since nutcracker auditions/rehearsals are coming up. He assured me that recovery time is only 2 weeks and that I’ll be recovered before auditions. So I got the procedure that day.

It’s been 11 days now and I’m getting nervous. My toes don’t hurt, nothing is swollen or infected, but I still have open wounds. There’s no blood and I still have a tiny amount of drainage but I can’t imagine this being fully healed by day 14. I feel frustrated because I would have held off on the procedure if I knew I wouldn’t be healed by the time nutcracker season started. Has anyone else gone through this? What was your timeline for returning to ballet?


r/BALLET 1d ago

i want to Share this awesome ballet video to all ballet newcomers !

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36 Upvotes

found this a couple days ago. this ballet channel is probably not new to most of you but new to me!

this video could have saved me some much researching time when i first started ballet and was trying to figure out what ballet really is and what i could expect! she explains everything so clear and easy to understand.

so i just want to share this to anyone new to this community, new to ballet, and is still in the midst of beginner confusion, wondering "why am i doing this?" in your first few ballet classes ! ā¤ļø


r/BALLET 1d ago

Dancewear Monday (No criticism) Dancewear Monday

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone, Happy Dancewear Monday! Please feel free in posting a picture of your dancewear style, your new dancewear purchase, your cute warmups, etc. Just a reminder of the guidelines:

1) It is recommended to blur out your face if you want to keep some anonymity.

2) Please list what brands you are wearing in the comments in case other users want to know where you found stuff.

3) All Dancewear Mondays will be NO CRITICISM with regards to ballet. So if someone posts a picture of them in arabesque being like ā€œlook at my cute leg warmersā€ DO NOT comment ā€œLooks great but you should turn out moreā€. We don’t care if your intentions are good and you are just trying to help, on this subreddit critique is only given when explicitly asked for. If you wouldn’t say it to someone in class don’t comment it on here. (And if you would tell a fellow dancer to turn out more, or something, randomly in class well that just reflects poorly on you).

4) New users who have low comment karma: your post will be filtered into a queue and need to be mod approved, so please be patient if your post does not appear right away.

5) Use the Dancewear Monday flair

Thanks :)


r/BALLET 2d ago

Cities in the US with great (amateur) adult ballet studios?

46 Upvotes

Hello, dancers and friends! I currently live in the DC/Baltimore area, and I have access to absolutely wonderful ballet studios. however, I am looking to move somewhere else in the US.

I won’t get into all of my personal details about why I need to move, but I am pretty open to exploring anywhere in the US!

Ballet has become a big part of my life (I’m an adult beginner).

i was wondering if you could share places you live where there are great/friendly studios, as that will play a factor in where I choose to go. Bonus points if there are performers opportunities for amateurs.

Thanks in Advance!


r/BALLET 2d ago

No Criticism Pic of me at my summer intensive!!

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651 Upvotes

r/BALLET 2d ago

Sizing check for ballet slippers

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17 Upvotes

Hello, I bought these So Danca SD 130 ballet slippers yesterday, but I’m unsure about the size because I’ve just started ballet. I normally wear a UK4, and I got these ballet slippers in a 5C. The last photo shows my foot when I point it.


r/BALLET 2d ago

Leotard with built in bra or pads

5 Upvotes

I’ve been doing ballet for quite awhile now(I’m in high school) and I’m looking for a new leotard. I currently have one that has just a shelf bra, and I wear a bra under it. I want some support, and no nipple showing, I have an A or B chest. I know of Capezio Bratek, Danse De Paris Blisse, and Bloch Zena, are these good options or are there other good ones? I also like pretty good coverage in the butt and chest(chest is less important). I’ve also heard of getting a normal leotard and then putting a sports bra of the same color under it, but I don’t really want to do that.

Edit: I live in the US


r/BALLET 2d ago

Constructive Criticism Feet too strong and killing pointe shoes almost immediately

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110 Upvotes

This is even before my os trigonum surgeries so I don’t even know how flexible they will be after. Help.


r/BALLET 2d ago

Can anyone help identify who made my ballet shoes

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30 Upvotes

Hi! This is my first post and apologies if I’m doing it wrong! I have a pair of Freed pointe shoes which I wore in 1979 and I’m wondering if anyone could help me identify the maker and/or style of my shoes. Many thanks in advance