Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 7/28/2009

Question
Hi there I am a 22 year old i have wanted to do ballet for a long time now and I am considering doing it at a studio near me. I am very nervous about going as i feel i might be terrible. I am 6 foot 6 and i know that most dancers are  smaller than me. I have also got a bad knee, about a year and a half ago i dislocated my left knee. i was wondering if these things would stop me from doing ballet i would really like to study this form of dance. I hope that i would be good at it given time. I know that dancers need to have high arches and my feet have very high arches i am not very muscular but i am thin and i can hopefully work on the other areas of my body I would really appreciate any advice you have for me.
Ben

Answer
Hi Ben. I would first recommend that you get your knee checked out by a chiropractor to make sure there are no misalignments, or residual muscle tension above or below it. Scar tissue or any calcification may be present and I believe can be seen on an x-ray.

If it turns out that there is no reason to avoid something like ballet, then get into the most professionally associated class that you can for adult beginners. If you are in a major city with a professional school, look up their adult programme.

Building muscle strength is beneficial if you start ballet (or even if you don't). I recommend the Slow Burn - by Frederick Hahn method  (at http://www.seriousstrength.com) or The Pace Program (at http://alsearsmd.com/shop.php?af=1009392). You can probably get their books from a local library if you like, before spending money on the workout guides.

http://www.theballetstore.com has many articles on ballet technique, stretching, nutrition etc., that you might enjoy if you proceed with classes. As an adult you have an advantage of learning the theory very quickly, and you hopefully have the mature patience to endure the physical catching-up.

If you discover that you have a talent for ballet, your teachers will be happy to guide you in training. If you don't, you can still enjoy its wonderful exercise benefits and artistic fulfillment at whatever level you reach.

You never know where your enthusiasm will lead you - always a new adventure. All the best, Dianne