When you think of a ballerina what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For most, it is a lean, muscular young woman with a long neck and excellent posture, one who can move gracefully and effortlessly across a stage, a prima ballerina.
Recently I have become inspired to be a praise dancer at my church but while I began praise dancing in my room in preparation, I realized that I wasn’t as flexible as I used to be or would like to be so I began looking up stretching techniques on youtube.com that could help me in becoming a better dancer. This is when I came across all of the ballet technique videos that I could ever think of. I immediately became inspired by different praise dancers of all sizes and some of their moves which implemented ballet. After a few days I found myself researching local ballet schools that offer beginner adult classes for a great workout and just for the love of it.
Could you imagine a big girl like me in tights, trying to learn ballet surrounded by leaner women who probably have had some experience before? At first I thought there would be no place for me at a ballet school because of my age and size and after reaching out to some schools and doing some light research, I realized that was something that I personally had to overcome because it was available to me. Though praise dancing does not require prior ballet experience, I have always wanted to take ballet when I was younger but I let things get in the way of that, still that doesn’t mean that I can’t take it now. I can imagine myself there, full figured and confident!
After speaking with a local dance academy offering beginner classes, I hope to be taking some private classes soon, private – only because of my busy schedule but I would love to be in a class with other ballet loving people getting it in. I don’t plan on letting my size hinder me from doing the things I have always wanted to do, this is where confidence comes in…building confidence is telling yourself you can do it, when no one else thinks you can!
There are many benefits of taking ballet, according to associatedcontent.com there are six incredible benefits of ballet but they fall under three major categories:
Flexibility
Strength
Balance
For most people the idea of taking an adult beginner ballet class is out of the question, especially if you are not skinny, but there are classes out there in almost every major city that offers beginner classes to adults so don’t let your curvy size hinder you, instead let it motivate you to step out of the box society puts us in! Ballet is an excellent way to tone and give your body and mind a total workout. I will keep you posted.
Curvy Confidence Editor, Limarie Lewis -- Daily Venus Diva.
Sounds very interesting………hmmmm…. I might look for local adult ballet classes in my area. Yes, do not let how you look hinder your spirit. Go out into the world and live your life!!!
I have done so many different types of excercise classes – boxing, Zumba, weight traning, abs and legs, boot camp…. you name it, I’ve done it. I’ve looked into dance classes, but always worry about looking like an idiot. You have given me the courage to go for it!! I danced in middle school and high school because Dance was a Phsyical Education credit and I could avoid Athletics. I loved it so much, and I miss it. I look forward to going back
I had a simliar experinece when I took up ballroom dancing. I was the oldest and biggiest woman in the ballroom dance class. You could not miss me becaue when you dance the latin dances such as cha cha, and salsa, your close are looser and sexier. I really loved the dancing and had to gain a lot of confidene to get out there on the dance floor with my large thighs, but I am glad I did. I love it very much and was glad I found the courage to stick with it despite my size. I hope all people step of the box we are told to stay and do somthing you love despite your size.