Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 10/15/2009

Question

"Hi :)
I'm a twenty year old who's never been very athletic. Literally, never. From lack of interest to bad self-confidence and a whole lot of other things.

The thing is. I love to dance. Even if it's just me with music in my living room, I love it.

And recently, I've been thinking that maybe I should try to take a dance class. Just for fun. It's just that I feel that people will laugh at me because I'm not very thin and flexible and athletic. I'm trying to work out more, but I'm still afraid people will laugh at me.

I don't want to be a wonderful dancer, but to get a little better and learn something would mean a lot.

Is it just stupid, when I'm as old as I am and so 'un-dancerish' in body to try?

Should I work on strength or flexibility or something totally different?

I guess this turned out to be a really confused question, but thank you anyway!

Answer
Hi Cicci. There is no reason why you shouldn't do a dance class. There will be other adult beginners who also do not look like ballerinas.

Here's a plan: visit all the dance studios you can that have adult beginner classes - I'm not sure if you want to do strictly ballet, and if not view other classes, like modern, lyrical, hip hop, and even tap. (I think tap dancing is incredible fun!).

See the classes and the people in them, and experience the atmosphere of each studio. Perhaps there is a studio where you would feel at home working as a dance beginner.

Another approach for you might be to take a month or two of Pilates classes, once a week. Let the teacher know that your goal is to take dance lessons and that you would like to exercise first to find out your strengths and weaknesses, and also learn some safe stretching. You may already have done something like this, I realize.

There are different ways to boost one's confidence and sometimes just sweating out the initial nerves works. Most dance teachers will do their best to help you in class and acknowledge your efforts. And when a teacher praises your work, you must be able to accept the praise. What anyone else thinks does not matter!

I started a small site for adult beginners, http://www.squidoo.com/adultballetshoes/

You may enjoy some of the articles there.

All the best, Dianne