Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 11/20/2007

Question
Hi!
I started taking ballet when I was 12 and I continued until I was 17.  I had a great teacher and I worked very hard and I was training at a fairly advanced level.  Unfortunately, I never enjoyed it much, so I quit.  Recently, I decided I wanted to study dance at college, but with a focus on modern dance.  My school supplements its modern syllabus with classes in ballet technique.  While I really enjoy the modern, I have absolutely fallen in love with the ballet!  My question is this: when I was a kid I had perfect 180 degree turn-out but now I can only get about 120 degrees of turn-out.  Is this enough for a male dancer?  What can I do to improve my turn-out?  Also, if I'm 20 now, is it too late to think about a professional career?
Thanks a bunch!

Answer
Hi Andrew.Regarding the turnout, you can lose flexibility in any muscles by hard work but not enough stretching and relaxing. I have some articles on http://www.theballetstore.com that cover stretching for turnout. You can indeed gain some flexibility back.

As for a professional career in ballet - since you have studied previously, you have a head start. If your physique is well-suited and you have an ability to do the work, it would seem like you have a chance. I'm sure you are aware of the competition factor, but there are also many dance companies who appreciate mature hard workers as much as they appreciate the brilliant prodigies. Since you are enrolled in a modern program, you need to figure out how you will get more ballet. At least 5-8 classes a week.

Stretching and relaxing is important for all your muscles. "The Athletes Intense Stretch" by Classical Stretch is a wonderful DVD for that. I feature it on theballetstore.com because of the credentials of Miranda Esmonde-White, who developed Classical Stretch. Not releasing tension will cause you to lose flexibility and actually weaken your muscles.

All the best, Dianne

A brief follow up - I've recommended to almost everyone to read my articles and blog entries at http://www.theballetstore.com You have to create a user name to log in to see all the blog entries - your privacy is safe! I really apologize that I didn't tell you this - I'm not a technical person!