Expert: Jennifer - 6/28/2006

Question
I am a  community dance development,work full time for a reputable dance company and teach  contemporary level 1 from 16yrs to adults of all ages and abilities,and creative dance to 5-15yrs. I was offered a dance apprenticship at the age of 26 after having two babies and completeing a 1yr intensive Dance course!I started really late due to lack of money,belief and support. I first started dancing when I was 3. I went to Ballet classes as a childand knew from that day on that my heart was lost to Ballet. I had to stop dancing at the age of 7 because we were too poor to afford the classes anymore.I worked so hard to prove myself against my younger counterparts on my one year intensive in 1996,then after I was offered a wonderful opportunity of being an apprentice for 3yrs. I have very limited flexibility of course due to such a late start and find it so hard in my Ballet class to execute the range of movement required.I am now 37years old ( HELP!)and even though I am a great teacher, I still long to re gain better range of movement that I had as a child in my first ballet classes...I have every book on stretching and flexibility you can imagine but a severe lack of time..What are the best stretches for me to repeat on a daily basis and that will fit into my busy work/home life?I can't help feeling there's something I'm not doing. I do want to say to anyone who may read this that if you have a dream to dance then if you are determined it will happen for you..I know that i will never ever acheive the kind of level in my Ballet class that I always have dreamed of or brush shoulders with the likes of Sylvie Guillem or Darcy Bussell but I am doing what I am able to,to the best of my ability (with constant monitoring by my artistic director of course!) I wish all prospective dancers luck and happiness in acheiving their goals and dreams..anon x

Answer
Cate --

I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this. You need to speak with another experienced teacher or colleague that knows your body and knows what sort of condition your muscles are in. I don't feel comfortable giving you specific things to do without knowing your body and seeing how it works.

I'm glad you've been able to have a career in ballet as a late starter -- that's something to be very proud of... and you're lucky enough to be surrounded by people who might be able to advise you in your problem.

Good luck!