So you want to dance: Part 13 of series Part 15 of series Postings discussion This link allows you to see others thoughts on this piece and contribute to the debate yourself if you want. We look to guarantee this link for a number of years, though after 3-6 months the page may be closed to further additions. Ballet.co's Doing Dance forum reviews by Anjuli Bai

I really, really love my ballet classes and so I would like to do more than I am doing now. What should I do?

Now that you are enjoying your classes and are gaining knowledge and confidence the person to consult is your teacher. Tell her how much you enjoy the classes and that you would like to further your studies. She will tell you if she thinks you are ready to expand your schedule and if there are classes to accommodate you.

Does it have to be on the same level?

Actually, no it doesn't - not entirely. Many times a student will benefit from being part of a class that is slightly ahead. However, the student has to be mentally prepared to deal with such a situation and have the patience to cope with this kind of challenge. It is ideal, of course, for the beginning student to expand the schedule of classes within the same technical level - at least for a while. That gives the student another chance during the week to work on the skills and challenges, both mental and physical.

Well, if once a week is good, and twice a week is better, why not everyday?

There is no doubt that once a week is good and twice a week is better, but I would not recommend every day for a beginner, at least not at the beginning. When the study of ballet is undertaken three major adjustments have to be made:

1. The mind has to become familiar with the particular concepts it is asked to understand.

2. The mind has to learn to transmit those concepts to the body.

3. The body has to learn to turn those concepts into action. Even if those three basic elements are quickly assimilated, actually performing them is not possible in a hurried manner.

Why is that? If the mind understands and the body understands.....?

The body doesn't just have to learn, to understand, it has to become capable. That capability is acquired slowly. For some people the bridge between the mind/body is quickly made. However, the body still has to actually make physical changes in order to carry out the orders it receives. Muscles have to reform, tendons to respond. Balance is re-sensitized to new criteria. Walking or running or remaining upright is no longer adequate, much finer sensibilities are now demanded. All this takes time. Muscles don't change over night.

Rushing this process can result in injury, frustration and/or burnout. So, a slower expansion of class schedule is recommended. After 2-3 months of two classes weekly, then a third class. Three classes a week at the end of the first year is most probably enough for good progress. There are exceptions to every rule, but I think this is a good general statement.

What if I miss a class, should I work on things by myself?

Ballet is a study that is done under the supervision of a teacher and in a classroom setting. Private lessons can be an addition to regular classroom study, but there again under the supervision of a teacher. Working by yourself in not recommended.

Why can't I give myself a class?

I am not going to say that one should never ever give oneself a class as a rare event. But it is not the way to efficiently and efficaciously learn ballet. In the study of the classic dance the body is being asked to do things, such as turnout, which are contrary to the way the body was naturally designed to move. This structure has to be learned incrementally, each segment building upon the other, one segment not overtaking the next until sufficient strength and understanding are attained. Only a teacher can guide that process. The student needs someone with a knowledgeable eye and mind to supervise that process.

I have seen tapes with a ballet workout.

Yes, I have seen them too. But a tape is not a teacher. How each student processes the learning experience and how each body physically responds is very individual. A tape can't address those issues. A tape can tell you to turn out your feet from the hips, but only a teacher can check if you are truly doing that correctly.

Even with a mirror you can't possibly see yourself as you truly appear and beginners have very little idea of how they should appear or how it should feel.

It's no accident that all the professional dancers, even the greatest of them, never outgrow their need for a teacher in a ballet class setting.

Are there other exercises or regimens that one can do that help?

For many years it was thought that if one truly wants to study ballet almost all other forms of physical exercise were counter-productive. Swimming was generally thought to be the exception to the rule. However, this has changed. Many dancers take Pilates, Alexander Technique and other schools of movement study. Ballet dancers also study folk dance, modern/contemporary, as well as other forms of ethnic dance. But, for the ballet dancer, nothing replaces the daily class. The other classes are in addition to the daily ballet class.

Are there some forms of exercise that are really not recommended?

It depends upon how seriously you want to pursue your study of ballet and how much you want to incorporate it into your life. Generally speaking, many track sports such as running are not recommended, or anything that would compromise or tighten turnout. Horseback riding and riding a bike are thought to use muscles differently than a ballet dancer would. A physical therapist would be a good person to consult on this matter, but be sure when you do that you consult a therapist who truly has an understanding of the structure and demands of the ballet.

So, there's really very little I can do other than go to ballet class.

There are many things that you can do which aren't physical at all, but will truly enhance your dance experiences.

Such as?

It is of great benefit to watch others dance. Go to performances. Watch tapes/DVDs of wonderful ballets and dancers. It's amazing how this will become a part of your vision of dance and will infuse your own movement. Read about dance history and you will begin to see yourself as a part of that history. Many dancers have written about their lives or their views of dance - this is always instructive to read. And there have been many wonderful biographies written by others about great dancers and dance companies. All of this is very instructive. It will give you a context. A tendu will no longer just be a tendu. You will see it as a basic, but important, building block of ballet. It has an historical context, it's much more than just extending your foot and pointing your toe.

Sounds like this part of learning about dance could be helpful too.

Not simply helpful, I would say invaluable.