I'm taking ballet lessons!

[eluuzion]

I always thought boxing was like ballet, except there is no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other...

......jus' kiddn'...old joke we shared back in my martial arts days... By the way I agree with the comment made about similarities shared with ballet...

My mom was a ballerina (sp?), Only drawback is toe damage later in life...but hey, that is what "Power Scooters" are for, right?


HaveFun!!

[marthaCD]

Agsin I agree that wearing a leotard and tights and not looking back is the way to go because that is why you are there in the first place and that is what I did.

[CamillaCD]

Looking forward to your report Jamie. I have also looked for classes for adult beginners, and found one yesterday. I called them today and after explaining what i had in mind they said I would be more than welcome to take a drop-in lesson next week. If I liked it I could then sign up for the rest of the term.

So this weekend I am going to find me at least a pair of ballet shoes.

[SherriePall]

Have fun in the class. I'm sore all over just reading about it though!

[marthaCD]

Hi Jamie:

I did this about 5 years ago. I called and found a beginner class about 50 minutes from home so I would not run into anyone. Bought a Bal Togs Gray Mens Tank Leotard and wore black women's dance tights that were opaque. I was very nervous and when I showed up the teacher pointed to a dressing room. I was worried that it might be unisex but everything was ok as it was for me.
When I presented myself to the teacher she had me join in the stretching on the floor with 5 other women all in black leotards and white tights and pink slippers. The teacher made an exception to make me comfortable and ready as usually they go straight to the barre.
I actually did ok and kept up with the class. I had done some ballet work before using Melissa Lowe's Ballet videos for instruction.
After class I signed up for the 3 month package. The second week there was a man who had already been in the class and so it was 2 guys and 5 women.

I decided from the first class to wear a leotard and tights under the Leotard like the ladies. I later found out that men were supposed to wear them over. Later I decided I wanted to match the other students so I wore a black Bal Togs mens tank or a Baltogs Cap Short Sleeve. I also wore capezio #9 full fashion convertible mesh seamed tights in white which I adore. However, the teacher thought they were too sheer and after one class sternly asked "who sold you those? ". I later figured out on my own that leg hair is a no no and wore a pair of nude color non seamed under the seamed white ones. You can also wear nude pantyhose as a first layer to hide leg hair as well or just shave. From time to time she tried to sell me mens tights and a unitard that looked like it had a white t shirt. I bought the tihgts and hated them. I wanted sheer back seams and wore them from then on with a layer underneath. I continued class for 9 months and also took a private class one day a week as well. In private I started wearing a ladies long sleeve scoup neck danskin or capezio.
I also from nude color New York City Ballet seamed tights which I love but are discontinued.

Class eventually wore me down and my lower back and toes really hurt me a lot. I later found out some years later I have a 15% deficit in both toes and so it became painful to dance. In addition as you will find students come and go and the last two women were very very good and thus the pace picked up and then I did not enjoy the class. You will not like it if the teacher calls you out in front of the class and says " I thought you cleaned that gleeside up last week" or when she puts you in a corner if you are slowing down the class.

I eventually quit for several reasons. First my back and toes were beat up so bad that going to my regular gym was a breeze. Second the round trip was 1.5 hours total. Third was I wanted to dance in pointe shoes and she tersely told me I was not ready. Fourth the individual classes for 1.5 hours and ended at later than they were supposed to. Fifth the class got out of hand with the two "ringers" that made me feel inferior when I was the lead dancer at the barre and could not follow anyone else. Finally was the fact that I wanted to dance as Martha and be in a pink leotard, tights and pink pointe shoes or black leotard and fishnet dance tights with a back seam all of which I own.

I have found a transformation service where the owner was a dancer at one time and teaches movement. I called and she would gladly have Martha and teach her tap and ballet so that is my next horizon.

One final bit of advice. If your wife supports you its great to take class with her. However, if you want to dress more and more like Jamie then suggest you take it by yourself. Your wife is good cover to get into the class but she will not be happy being the wife of the guy in the class trying to look femme.

Best Wishes All

Martha

[brassieres]

Thanks for your comments Martha, it was very informative, it makes me want to take up both ballet and tap dancing!

[Dee2U]

Hi Jamie. I am Dee. Some 30 years ago (but who's counting) I was a student of mime and modern dance. It was the most delicious way to combine my desire to be feminine with fitness and a wonderful opportunity to be with women in ways where you are trated more as one of the girls. Once you are working out and focusing on the positions and the steps you will find that you are all in it together. By the very fact that you are studying dance, you will be treated better than if you were just some man. As for the movement and work itself - I have always enjoyed the grace it has given me and the ability to know exactly what my body is doing. If you want to look feminine in your movement and feel more feminine, then your dreams will come true. B ylearning about the lines and form of your own body and by watching in the mirror your can more easily train yourself to observe women better and emulate movement, posture and grace. Good luck and have fun...Dee

[brassieres]

By the very fact that you are studying dance, you will be treated better than if you were just some man

So there is a stigma if you are a man but not studying dance at all?

[Sarah V]

Congratulations on deciding to take class. I have been taking adult recreational ballet classes for years now and I have found them to be an excellent way to stay in shape, and to improve me flexibility and stamina. Have made some very nice acquaintences in my classes over the years.

[vetobob9]

There is a stereotype that dancing is not for men. I make this observation on the clubs and events I have been too have involved only women actually dancing while the males are mostly just standing there barely shuffling their feet.
Dancing is more than just shuffling your feet. Men do this because it's not manly to do real dancing.
I hope this is gang banger thug thing. Otherwise, men really can't dance because of severe cultural restrictions. It's like they are just there.

[marthaCD]

Hi:

Anyone shop either in person or on line at any CD friendly dance shops for your ballet attire. If so which ones are good?

[Sarah V]

Martha: I have shopped dance store in person, but it is hit or miss on how much you may be welcome in them. So I use Discount Dance Supply (www.discountdance.com), a true on-line discount dancewaer house, just like their name says. They carry just about anything you could want for dance clothing and their prices are very reasonable. I get most of my stuff from them.

[marthaCD]

Hi Sarah:

I have the same experience. Hit me with an e mail as I do not have enough posts to do the same.

Would be great to stay in touch.

[marthaCD]

What happened to Jamie? We never heard back from her about her lessons?

[JamieG]

What happened to Jamie? We never heard back from her about her lessons?

I'm still here. I've just been posting the reports in a different thread. See Report from My First Ballet Lesson. I'll keep giving status updates there.