The Great Escape: Pirouette to Peace

An interesting idea came across my consciousness this week, and it is sounding better the more I think about it. A friend suggested that as a way to improve my fitness, I enroll in a ballet class, as an adult.

I’m one of those people who always thought that if you don’t have a tutu collection or aren’t 4, ballet has passed you by. Not so, my friend says, and she is a dancer, so she would know.

There are many dance studios in all parts of Contra Costa and Solano counties that offer ballet classes for adults.

Learning this gentle art is a way to improve your health, posture and poise. It is a demanding sport but offers great rewards.

Some suggest that a good way to start is to sit in on your first class, so you know what to expect. There you will see people of all ages and fitness levels who are trying to learn the same as you. Don’t be intimidated by size either; it isn’t Black Swan, and students need not be thin as a curtain rod to dance.

A couple of resources: Joffery Ballet School's Ballet Fit, which is a book specifically written for the beginning adult student.

There is also a livejournal community AdultBeginningBallet where you can chat with other new students.