Expert: Jennifer - 7/29/2006

Question
Hello,

I'm betting I am not the only 29 year old woman who's watched "So You Think You Can Dance" and wondered why I ever stopped dancing.  I've only been an off and on dancer, never really going past an intermediate class...but I've decided I would like to get serious about it, I have no delusions of becoming professional, I would just like to be good enough to express myself as well as I've seen in some of those contemporary/modern routines. (Aren't Travis and Allison wonderful dancers!)

My dilemna is this, I am in the military and frequently stationed in small towns with very few studios.  I've managed to find one very good adult class with an attentive teacher, and a different studio where they don't seem to care much about technique.  That's only two classes a week.

I've ordered some DVD's by Finis Jhung, and am wondering if it is okay to just practice at home 4 days a week in addition to the adult class...or do I risk developing bad habits?

Lastly, I'm hearing about 40 year old beginners going on pointe...what is your opinion of this?  I don't want to do anything spectacular...but nice arabesque on point would be lovely :)

Thank you so much for your input!

Answer
Hello, Kianna!

I normally tell people that it is not a good idea to practice at home, but I can tell that your situation is a bit unique. For one, professional dance is not a goal for you, and for another, you are really just in it for the fun of it. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, and wouldn't try to push yourself too hard at home.

If you are going to practice at home, I just want you to be very careful, and don't push too much. If anything at all feels uncomfortable or odd, wait and clarify it with your teacher in class before you attempt it. I want you to be totally confident in what you are doing at home. It is very easy to develop bad habits when most of your dancing is at home. Ballet especially is frequently very unnatural-feeling, and especially with adults, it sometimes take an experienced teacher to show you what you are doing wrong. Your practice at home should just be to get you moving and to get the movement into your memory... not to try new things. That is just for class.

In short... yes, you do risk developing bad habits. But if that is your best opportunity to dance, then by all means do it. You may also look to see if there are any other adult classes in different types of dance like modern, tap, jazz, hip hop, ballroom... it all can apply to the style of dance you enjoy so much.

As for adults en pointe -- hopefully those 40 year old beginners that you hear about going en pointe aren't still beginners! It is a bad idea for any beginner to be dancing en pointe.

Different teachers have different philosophies about adults starting pointe. Some support it, others believe that pointework can be damaging even for young people, so why should one risk it if it is not going to be a career. As for my opinion, I support it as long as the teacher is not careless about who dances en pointe. The student, and especially the older student, must be strong enough, healthy enough, and have advanced enough technique to be able to dance en pointe without hurting themselves. It may not be possible for some in their 40s, it may definately be possible for others. That judgement is the responsibility of the teacher.

I hope I was able to answer your questions -- please let me know if you need anything clarified.

Thanks!