i’d love to begin ballet... am I mad?

[whalebag]

I’ve always loved and wanted to do ballet right from when I was a young child (never got enrolled in classes though - boo )

Now I’m an adult, just about (20!) it’s still something I’d love to do. Perhaps not to take it seriously as a dancer but just to... try out, and enjoy and say, ‘hey, I tried it, it was fun’. I enjoy watching ballet and find the ballerinas so.. lithe and elegant and gorgeous, and it just... looks so enjoyable - always has

The thing is, I have cerebral palsy. I also have weight issues (size 14-16 now)
When I was chatting to my physiotherapists as a child I basically got laughed at when I asked about ballet (the physio organisation I was with were able to set the children up in things like ballet, horse riding, swimming etc) as they said I would be too clumsy and too fat and no one would accept me into it. So that was that.

It’s always stuck with me... but hasn’t really put me off. I’ve always just though, oh, I can try again when I’m an adult and I still really, really want to. But now that I think about it... I can’t begin ballet, can I?! Would it be totally stupid of me to try now as an adult...? Even if I just wanted to do it as a hobby and not full on performance ‘big star’ - I know I wouldn’t ‘make it’ and wouldn’t intend on ‘making it’
I don’t want to feel like a clumsy lump, like I was told.

Dish it to me.. am I being silly, should I just forget about it? 😅

@minotaurwildthing thank you for your words - I really didn’t think of having to contact physio but it sounds like a good shout!

It’s a shame though I suppose how I didn’t do it when I was younger as then I would’ve been doing it alongside routine physio whereas now I’m not on their radar due to being in adult services and fending for myself iyswim!

Ah well, sorry, just sounding off

Loads of people do ballet and never go on point. When I did it, donkey’s years ago, it was only introduced when we were at pre-Elementary or Elementary, after we’d passed all our grades. All solos can be done substituting demi-pointe for full pointe.
Depending on the nature of your CP, you are likely to find the balance elements more difficult, especially fouetté turns or pirouettes, but again, you don’t encounter those for years at a reputable school.
Go for it! If you go with an open mind it’s a great idea. There is a great emphasis on stretching and warm-up which is beneficial to anyone, and dancing to music is a joy that should not be confined to the young, slim or able bodied!

Went to have a chat where the local ballet classes are held; they gave me a number to get in touch and arrange things am feeling rather excited now - excited but nervous! LightDrizzle I do feel my balance is an issue WRT ballet - have been practicing the very very basic stuff at home and even then I wobble a bit but I'm determined to not let it get in the way!

Exciting update!
I wobble away in Pilates these days (the balance of my ballet years has deserted me) and nobody bats an eyelash.
Good luck.

Where my DD goes there is an adult ballet class. Once a year all the classes put on a show together (each class does their own routine)-they are all ages, sizes and varying flexibility. I believe some did classes when they were younger and some began as adults so I say go for it!

Do it, do it, do it. I started ballet at uni having never done it before (but always loved it) and it's wonderful. I had a break for a while but back to class now and it's one of the highlights of my week. Amazing for fitness, strength, balance, your brain, can't recommend it highly enough. All shapes, sizes, ages and abilities at the classes I've gone to.
Enjoy!