Anyone doing ballet?

[lucysnowe]

I've just ordered this cos I feel a real urge to be super flexible and graceful and girly. :) I think it is a mid-life crisis thing. But we shall see if I find it completely impossible! Is there anyone out there that does ballet as an exercise?

it looks good Lucy, and the reviews seem good!
Ballet style squats in the gym is the closest I've come to ballet..ie not very close at all!
be interested to hear how you get on with it:)

I used to to ballet and though I am now nearing my 40's I can still high-kick a lampshade!! Take the exercises slowly...you can get more flexible but push to hard too soon and you are looking at things like groin strain!! If it hurts STOP. Other than that..enjoy, ballet is great for muscle tone!

Thanks guys! I haven't done ballet since I was erm 13 but do feel quite drawn to it. I have done Davina and the Shred so not completely untoned but I am a bit worried about my middle-ages bones!

I've got this DVD, and I really enjoy it even though I feel like a complete heffalump compared to the ballerinas. You should be fine - I am small, squat and unflexible, so if I can do it, anyone can!!

I have that and it is very good - I used to go twice a week to an adult ballet class and loved it but sadly the class closed. The dvd was great (there are two in case you get bored) and I must get it out again. Unfortunately I have hurt my achilles tendon so ballet type exercise is too painful at the moment.

Oh good, I am glad mumsnet likes the DVD too (although I still haven't received it yet . Annie, that describes me to a tee! [wink!] will keep you posted!

HellO! I've been doing ballet. I trained professionally but then stopped 20 years ago. Been dying to get back in to it, and now ds2 is more settled in the evenings I've been able to start again. Haven't danced in 18 years - excuses ranged from being too old (37) to too fat (size 16- intimidated,moi? ) to children. This year I've just said 'fuck it' I need to exercise to lose weight, let's do something I love so I started back a month ago. I've combined it with shredding and yoga.

Unfortunately last night I tore a calf muscle so I'm utterly gutted :( will be out of action for at least 6 weeks I should think, just as I'd got some momentum and routine going :(

damn, that sounds painfull puf, how did you do it?

Did a 2.5 hr hike yesterday morning, so was pooped and quite crampy. Then went to dancing last night, she usually does a few step ball changes and springs to warm up (new class, 1st time I'd been) and bam - muscle went pop :( gutted!

Ouch, that sounds painful. Get well soon.
I thought I would do a slight hijack; has anyone found that ballet really helps them get more flexible as an adult? I've just restarted in the hope that it will help my balance and flexibility for the other sports that I do, but my turnout and quad flexibility are both pretty bad. Is it actually possible to improve these as an adult?
On the other hand, sucking my stomach in for 75 minutes each week seems to be doing something for me. The horror of the ballet-studio mirrors

Hi guys

Well I did some of the exercises before DS started wanting attention - it's a bit different from the Shred, isn't it! :) but I really liked the style and the music and the way the dancers did a little nod at the end of each section. I still have a bit of an issue with turning my toes out (always have done) but otherwise good! Cardi, that is my main aim. I would really like to be more flexible and balanced. I do wonder that at 3something it is too late for me...

I shall ask my teacher if I ever pluck up enough courage whether there is any hope for improvement. At least I'm stopping the rot, so to speak (hmm, attractive).

With turn out, don't force it, mine is rubbish and always has been even when I was a child, but it's better to do the exercises correctly with a small amount of turnout than to wreck the knees trying to look like a professional. I'm hoping that with time it will improve.