Quickstart Guide for Adult Ballet Beginners

Beginning ballet as an adult can be an intimidating experience. Ballet can feel unattainable and like it is only for the young and thin. But that’s no longer true! Adult ballet is growing in popularity and more and more adults are pursuing their dreams of ballet every day.

There are so many reasons to learn ballet as an adult, whether that’s discipline, gracefulness, coordination, balance, artistry, self-expression, strength, or flexibility. Or, even being a part of carrying on a traditional art form. (And, on a fun note, the outfits are so magical!)

You can take it as far as you want, including performing on stage, going en pointe, partnering, and more. Like any new skill, it takes hard work and dedication, but it is possible to learn as an adult!

Keep reading for all of the details!

Finding a local studio

This can be a challenging process, as adult ballet is still on its way into the mainstream. It’s perfectly valid to learn ballet entirely at home, and Broche Ballet’s online program and YouTube channel help you do just that.

But, most of us desire to also find a local community of like-minded adults to enjoy the journey with!

Some of us are lucky to have an adult-only ballet studio near us, but most need to venture into a traditional ballet school for children where they might have what’s called an “Adult open drop-in program.” The word “open” means that the program is open to the public, and you don’t have to audition to get in (as opposed to “pre-professional” programs that are by audition or invitation only). And “drop-in” means that you can join class whenever you want without having to register for a full semester of committed classes.

In a typical case, an Adult Open Program might offer a “beginner” level class, but this “beginner” class can have everyone from people like you, all the way up to advanced dancers who enjoy the slower pace of a beginner class. An “absolute beginner” level class is typically closer to the actual beginning of ballet.

This can be an intimidating environment for someone who is completely new to ballet, because there is a lot that is assumed that you already know. Watch the video below for an in-depth look at the challenging structure of the Open Program.

(But, don’t worry, the videos on this page will help you feel confident if/when you do go to class!)

What is ballet class like?

Ballet training looks much different than what you see on stage. We train our muscles with a set of 8 main exercises holding onto the barre and then we apply that technique when dancing away from the barre (called “Center”). A standard class is 90 minutes, with about 60 minutes at the barre and 30 in the center. Sometimes, the classes may be shorter. Watch the videos below to get an idea of what to expect in class!

Download the Beginner Ballet Vocabulary Checklist

Do I need to be young, thin, and flexible to start ballet?

No! Ballet itself will help you reach your fitness and flexibility goals, and dancers of all ages can learn ballet. Within the Broche Ballet community alone, we have dancers who are tall, short, in their 80s, have multiple kids, grandkids, and all shapes and sizes. Get inspired with the videos below!

Is ballet dangerous?

Not necessarily. If you use the correct technique, you can safely dance ballet for many many years. Our knees and backs are often the most at-risk of injury if we dance with incorrect technique. Watch the videos below to learn more about how to keep your body safe in ballet class!

What to wear?

In general, you can wear tight-fitting exercise clothes and socks to class, but you may want to look the part with leotard tights and skirt for ladies, or tights and t-shirt for men and ballet slippers.

Many people think that you must wear pointe shoes right off the bat, but in reality, we start in soft ballet slippers and wear pointe shoes later in our journey. Click here for more information on pointe readiness for adults. (And yes, adults can go en pointe!)

Check out the videos below for all the details on what to wear!

Class and Studio Etiquette

Ballet Class Etiquette has a lot of unspoken rules. Where to stand at the barre, where to put your water bottle, bag, and any sweaters you might wear for the beginning and take off after warming up. Watch the video below for all the details about what to expect once you get into the studio.

I danced as a child, will I have to start from the beginning?

It depends! Sometimes our body remembers a lot of the movements, but other times (especially if we stopped dancing before age 12), much of it is forgotten. But, in all cases, we’ll need to work back up the ballet strength and flexibility. Returning to ballet as an adult can be an intense experience, bringing up old memories, and sometimes also frustration with our adult body compared with how we remember our youthful body.

Watch the videos below for more about what to expect when you return to ballet.

Walk into your first studio class with confidence after our Broche Ballet Online Sticky Buns Program

Learn ballet at home with the Broche Ballet Sticky Buns program. Whether your bun is sticky with hairspray or sticky with sweat, my new program is designed to help you start and actually stick with ballet. Filled with mindset tips, clear vocabulary instructions, and a step-by-step day-by-day plan, it's your roadmap to confidently walking into your first full ballet class.

Whether you have access to a local studio near you or not, practicing at home is an important part of your ballet journey to develop consistent practicing habits and train your body frequently.