r/BALLET 2d ago

new and returning to ballet sticky New and Returning Dancers Post Your Questions Here

2 Upvotes

Hello! Welcome to r/ballet, a community for dancers and enthusiasts of all ages, sizes, and levels. We are proud to have a community of beginner students, professionals, and dancers in between here to support each other through our dance journey.

If you are wondering if you should start ballet, please read below. If you have further questions or are looking for encouragement, please post in this thread specifically. Furthermore, if you would like to ask some other questions regarding starting ballet, please post them below.

1) Am I too old to start ballet?

No, you'll find in this community we have dancers who began ballet in their 50s and 60s and have loved every minute of it. If you are looking for encouragement, or to hear from them specifically, please make a comment in our Weekly New and Returning to Ballet thread at the top of this subreddit.

2) Am I too old to become a professional?

If you are on reddit then the answer is likely yes, sorry. If you are a female under the age of 14 or a male under the age of 17 then you might have a very small chance (in an already very competitive industry) if you enrolled in a ballet school and train full time, about 5 hours a day 6 days a week. This is not possible for a lot of people financially or time-wise, but that's the reality of becoming a professional. This is a niche industry with lots of competitors, dancers train all their lives and still don't find jobs.

But don't let this stop you from dancing. If you love to dance, if it brings you joy, then what does it matter if you make money through it anyways? You can still make a lot of good progress and find fulfillment in performance opportunities without a dance career. Still questions? Don't make a new post but please comment here

3) Do I have a 'good' body for ballet?

If you take a ballet class, and you have a body, then you have a good body for ballet (sorry, no ghosts). Please do not make posts asking whether or not your body fits certain criteria (e.x. "do I have good feet for pointe?", "do I have the right shaped arms to be a professional?") as these questions are meaningless, there is no criteria for learning ballet.

4) Can men do ballet?

YES. 50% of all professional dancers are male, 50% of all roles in ballet are male. Ballet as a stereotypically 'feminine' thing is a misconception. An average ballet class is for both men and women, and some parts will have different genders do different things, this is common. There is nothing 'weird' with a man wanting to learn ballet, just as there is nothing weird for a man wanting to learn piano or fencing or any other art, activity, sport.

4.5) Can someone who identifies outside the gender binary do ballet? YES. Ballet, being an old art form, does traditionally stick with the ideas of men and women with regards to characters in ballet, pas de deux partnering, and specific elements in class. For example, men bow, women curtsy. Feel free to choose whatever works for you (or if you feel like neither is appropriate talk to your teacher about another option).

5) Can I teach myself ballet?

No. It's possible to learn some basics off the internet, but if you want to progress past the very basic/introductory level you will need to enrol in a class with a qualified teacher. Ballet technique is an extremely nuanced art form, it needs a trained eye to correct. Worst case scenario you end up with an injury from improper technique over time, and even in the best case you will have not learned 'ballet'. If you want to learn a style of dance in the comfort of your own home, ballet is not for you. There are lots of other styles you can try instead. DO NOT ask technique questions if you have never taken a ballet class with a live teacher, nothing said over the internet will be able to help you if you haven't learned the basics with the right muscles.

Don't forget to read the 'side barre' and take a look at previous Am I too... posts


r/BALLET Oct 13 '25

accomplishmentđŸ€©đŸ„ł Weekly Update - Stars and Wishes

3 Upvotes

How is your dance journey going this week? Share with us your STARS (things you want to celebrate), for example getting a company contract, landing your first triple pirouette, or working up the courage to try the next level class? Share with us your WISHES (things you want to improve/complain about), for example working on your balance with little success, the new student who doesn't understand spacial awareness, etc.


r/BALLET 6h ago

Size inclusive Leotard Brands?

8 Upvotes

Hi friends! I am a former ballet dancer looking to take adult ballet classes. Full disclosure: I'm in treatment for an ED (my team is okay with me taking ballet), and my body has changed a lot since my dancing days (20 yrs ago). The adult class I want to join does not have a strict dress code, thank goodness. I'm thinking: leotard, yoga pants, technique shoes.

Are there any brands out there that make leotards with inclusive sizing? I'm an XL in most clothes, but I have a hunch leotards run small (at least this was my experience with my beloved Mirellas back in the 90s/00s). In bodysuits I usually wear an XXL. Not sure if that info is helpful - I just don't know what's out there today. I appreciate any tips or leads that the community can offer!

Wish me luck with this endeavor - or should we say...Merde đŸ©°đŸ€


r/BALLET 23h ago

What Year Are These Men's Green Ballet Slippers From?

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136 Upvotes

I'm an intermediate level male Ballet dancer, I grabbed these cool vintage slippers on ebay recently. The seller mentioned her father was a professional dancer and wore them in his 20's for a Ballet performance but she didn't know which one.

Any idea what year / decade these would be from or what performance would feature green men's slippers as the costume design? I thought maybe Peter Pan / Robin Hood but apparently those Ballet's didn't exist until like the 1990's...

They're my size so I might try to dance in these for 1 class lol.


r/BALLET 6h ago

Dancewear Monday (No criticism) Leotard alternation - looking for a tailor/seamstress

5 Upvotes

Hi ballerinas! I have some leotards that don't fit perfectly and most of them are Yumiko nylon/techni fabric. As Yumiko's price hiked up nearly 30%, fixing them instead of selling and buying new feels more appealing (and more sustainable anyways). They only need minor adjustments like adding a lining, raising the leg cut, and loosening a halter neck, etc --- nothing complicated but ballet specific.

My question is: how do you find a tailor/seamstress that familiar with highly stretchy performance fabric and ballet-specific request? I did a quick search and the most relevant I found is costume alternation which feels like an overkill.

Location: I live in Denver, CO and I'm open to main-in options if you have any recommendations!

Cost: I know we are a HCOL area so I'm willing to pay for quality work, but I would also love to know what's a reasonable expectation.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!!

(Side note: I would rather stay away from DIY. It takes me more than two hours to sew a pair of pointe shoes so I don't think I should touch leotards lol)


r/BALLET 22h ago

accomplishmentđŸ€©đŸ„ł DĂ©veloppe progress!

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95 Upvotes

The first photo is me in October of 2025 and second photo is me in may of 2026! so happy with my progress. and yes all my good clothes were in the wash in the second photo hence the
peculiar ensemble


r/BALLET 19h ago

Why Do You Love Ballet?

27 Upvotes

I’m going through a rough time in life right now (the end of a years-long relationship, financial stress, moving), and most days lately I feel pretty anxious and like joy is hard to access. However, the ballet studio is the one place that feels like a refuge.

I’m trying to articulate what I love about ballet and why it’s so special to me. in a way, I feel like the predictably of the steps makes me feel safe while also being challenged. i also love how ”in the moment“ it is as an art form. A painting or a poem is recorded forever, but if you participate in ballet, you see the steps in the moment and know they will never be recreated in the exact same way (obviously, there are video, but you know what I mean).

What do you love about ballet? What keeps you coming back?


r/BALLET 1d ago

accomplishmentđŸ€©đŸ„ł I made it through adult elementary class

30 Upvotes

I danced ballet as a kid and stopped right before going on pointe. I have been scared to go to adult classes cause I went to an adult class a few years ago and was embarrassed about my skills. My coordination was/is completely off -and so is my short term memory. Well, I mustered up the courage and not only went but also threw myself onto center exercises. I totally flubbed but I lived to tell the tale. You have to start somewhere.


r/BALLET 21h ago

Bodywrappers tights

6 Upvotes

Their total stretch tights with a thicker knit waistband and no back seam tights were sooooo perfect. I swear they haven’t had any of these in stock for the past six months. They haven’t some with a back seam and then also never have a medium in stock (again I swear MONTHS). Does anyone know if they’ve started to out of business or something? Do they sell these on any other sites I just cannot find? I’m just frustrated bc they were the perfect pair and now they seem to not even exist


r/BALLET 1d ago

Gyrotonics for dancers in Portland OR

8 Upvotes

One of my favorite ballet teachers in Portland OR has started offering a drop-in Gyrotonics for Dancers class at Kinespirit Circle in NW, and I wanted to share! I've had a few sessions so far and it's such a fantastic way to add to training outside of ballet class. I hope it's ok to share this here, I want other people to know about it so that they continue to offer the class. It's on Thursdays at 3:30pm, and there are only four spots per class, but you can sign up in advance.

I'm finding it really helpful for creating length in my back and sides, and targeting really specific muscles through the whole body with a ballet lens. Hopefully this finds some PDX dancers who want to give it a try!


r/BALLET 19h ago

I NEED HELP WITH DANCE C GRADE 5

2 Upvotes

so im freaking out cause they told me to learn this dance and im a very slow learner so im trying to learn the step by my own the only problem is idk if the videos on YouTube are mirrored or not, can someone tell me if I should mirror the videos or no. As far as ive learned the choreography starts with left in front right on the back SOSSSSSSSS


r/BALLET 1d ago

Birkenstock x Repetto: wildly overpriced, but unfortunately adorable

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17 Upvotes

Adult ballet dancer and Birks enthusiast here.

Cross-posting my latest purchase from this controversial collaboration.

Fashion industry’s imagination of balletcore usually gives me the ick, and the campaign models for this collection even pose in turned-in fifth/third 🙄.

Open to criticism on my taste. Even I AM questioning my unexpected lapse into balletcore.


r/BALLET 1d ago

This is the worst balletcore collab. That's all.

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274 Upvotes

r/BALLET 1d ago

Flat shoes similar to wear moi vesta?

6 Upvotes

I’ve been wearing the wear moi vesta canvas shoes and I love them, the width of the wide size and the short vamp in particular, as well as the large pad at the ball of the foot. The scrunch at the arch is nice, but not something I need to have in a shoe. Unfortunately my current pair is on its last legs and it seems my size is on backorder 
 does anyone know of a flat shoe that’s similar? I’ve tried a few different pairs of flats (so danca, Nikolay dreamstretch, Bloch performa) and I wasn’t crazy about them.


r/BALLET 1d ago

Technique Question Advice

19 Upvotes

I’ve started teaching an 8-10 ballet class and have discovered that their teacher before me didnt do ballet before teaching and now these students have no ballet technique or knowledge of terminology as well as no discipline and laugh at everything i do
How do i correct their technique in a way that will make them keep coming back to class and not hate me


r/BALLET 1d ago

Dancewear Recommendations

5 Upvotes

Hey friends!
I just started my first ballet class ever. I’m in my 30s and am about a size 14-16. I’ve been trying to find some leotards that will work for me. I have a larger mons pubis and the leos I’ve tried don’t have a large enough gusset to cover it all.

Do you guys have any recommendations on dancewear that will help keep me covered and keep the sides of my business contained?

Thanks!


r/BALLET 1d ago

Technique Question What the name of this move?

6 Upvotes

For the life of me I can not remember the name of the move that goes from a Battement devant, envelope into a ballonte derriere but it goes through a retire position and not sur de cou de pied position like a traditional ballonte.

I feel like there is an actual name for this step and not a string of words. I remember doing this in class back in the day but it's lost on me now.


r/BALLET 1d ago

best nyc mommy and me ballet class (introducing dance/movement to tot)

2 Upvotes

hello! any nyc bun head moms have recommendations for mommy and me starting ballet exposure classes? i haven't found much information online- we live in brooklyn and i only see cobble hill ballet so far. we would be willing to travel anywhere that's worth the while though! thanks :)


r/BALLET 1d ago

Practice location ideas?

2 Upvotes

I live in student accommodation, my room is incredibly small and doesn’t have the space to practice dancing in.

Does anyone have ideas for how or where I can practice? Alternatively, if anyone knows any studios I can rent in east London that would be great too! Thanks in advance! :D


r/BALLET 22h ago

Dance mum here and I need some advice !!

0 Upvotes

Hi, my 3 year old started ballet class 2 months ago at a small academy. When I first started talking to the owner who is also the teacher she was great and gave quite quick replies (replied within the same day ). A few weeks after I enrolled her she had a stay and play day which I went to with my 2 daughters. Ever since then she has stopped replying to my texts or she'll take forever to reply.
I texted her once about ordering a uniform which she replied to the next day and then I texted her again the week after because I didn't get an update on the uniform and she ignored me, then the week after I double texted her and nothing and then I texted her again enrolling her into their summer camp dance class and no reply so l asked her in person on Saturday and she seemed fine ano told me she'd get the uniform next term now And she'll reply to me about the summer camp.
I still haven't gotten a reply...
This is what's kinda been bothering me though...
I am a Muslim hijabi and my daughter is one of the only two kids in her class who are not white. She also only seems to post the white kids on her socials. She did post my daughter once but it was after her trial so my husband is wondering if she just did that to get us to enrol her ?
I do worry that maybe she isn't very keen on me because of my race or religion but I can't assume. My daughter absolutely loves it there aswe!!. She also posts a lot on social media and is always reposting stuff from students and stuff which is making me think she is definitely seeing my texts and choosing to not respond rather than just being busy ? What do you guys think ?


r/BALLET 1d ago

Audience Perception of Ballet and Social Media - Survey (18+)

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0 Upvotes

r/BALLET 2d ago

how come it takes so long to get en pointe?

15 Upvotes

hi all! I don't mean to ask this question to come off as stupid or anything LOL I fully understand that beginners (and even intermediate dancers) in ballet aren't meant to go en pointe until they've had sufficient training/are very strong and flexible, but just out of sheer curiosity--why is going en pointe such a huge deal? what are the major risks of going on too early? is it one of those "you can never bee TOO prepared" kinds of things or can you develop that strength and flexibility while you've already gotten your first pair of pointe shoes? again, I'm a dancer myself (pre-pointe) and I totally understand that it SHOULD take a long time and I'm definitely not trying to go on early or anything I'm just so curious!!!! thanks in advance :)


r/BALLET 2d ago

How should a first pair of pointe shoes feel at the fitting?

6 Upvotes

I’m an adult restarter who didn’t do pointe as a kid. Just got approved for pointe and went for the fitting. Saw a couple of videos and searched this sub so I knew what to expect, what to focus on, and what to ask. Got Nikolay Streampointes. Now, my question: I sometimes go into analysis paralysis, so it may just be that, but - how are the shoes supposed to feel? As much as I searched for this answer on my own, and the fitter explained it, I was still at a bit of a loss. Out of all the ones I tried, the Streampointes felt just right on pointe in terms of stability, support, and that my big toe wasn’t hitting the platform uncomfortably. However, my right foot is larger, and at size 5X I sometimes couldn’t shake the feeling that my toes felt scrunched into the shoe on flat. It was very uncomfortable to walk on flat, with the heel digging into my achilles, and the shoe was also a bit hard to put on. On pointe they felt fine. With the 5.5X on flat I feel like I’m wearing a very snug street shoe and my big/second toes are hitting the platform, but I don’t have that nagging feeling that my toes are a bit scrunched, and I feel a bit more freedom to articulate them (not sure if this just in my head tbh). When standing on pointe on the 5.5X I feel a little more pressure than the 5, but not pain per se. I don’t think I was sinking in either shoe. The fitter didn’t see any red flags for sinking or other issues, and just commented on how perfect the 5X looked, but that I should go with what doesn’t give me that scrunch feeling even if the heel is a bit baggier. So I ended up going with the 5.5X. My teacher said they looked fine. So, is this the feeling I am looking for? Am I overthinking it for a first pair? Help.


r/BALLET 2d ago

Whats the equivalent of a ballet skirt for men?

21 Upvotes

I wanted to ask if there is a men’s equivalent of a ballet skirt that provides a bit more coverage while still looking elegant, or if I should simply wear shorts over my tights for more coverage.

(a classmate also offerd me a free ballet skirt if I wanted)


r/BALLET 2d ago

Are y'all just cutting your tights to make those tights shorts or are you buying them?

9 Upvotes