beckyl

Lin, classes are capped at 5 so all seems good. It's reasonably priced too (£5) so I want to try it. I have a few options, I tried a school once but wasn't that keen because lessons were all centre work but I'm just wondering if it's something I should consider going back to just to get centre practice in? How important do you consider it?

Yes, sorry to clarify, I'm not a beginner beginner as such. I danced as a child and have been taking classes as a adult for a year now. I have the basics down and I'm so much more confident at the barre. I have heard back from a lady who does a combined ballet barre and pilates class that is very local to me- any thoughts, ladies? I know it's not pure ballet but I feel it would be better than nothing at this stage!

Thank you, 2dancersmum. Unfortunately one of the schools have come back and said no they don't have anything suitable. I guess I will have to keep trying!

I think the owner really wants to cut down (she is well in her seventies and still teaching.) The bulk of her class can attend the Saturday class (I'd say there are 15 of us) so it was just the two of us that were out of luck. I have e-mailed to ask if I can join an intermediate and/or intermediate foundation class but I'm not sure... a lot of the grade classes are also cancelled. 2dancersmum- I have previously tried that ballet school but unless anything's changed (I can e-mail to ask) there is no barre section which is where my strength is right now but it would be better than nothing. Thank you for the info on the associates classes it's something can look into (but not sure I would be of the required standard!)

Aileen- unfortunately I'm not at the required standard for the Saturday class. Basically, three of us in the class are beginners, one f the girls can do the 9.45 time, me and the other lady are out of luck. I have a heart condition so driving is out. Interested Parents- thanks, I have contacted the school already- fingers crossed but I think they only do classes for children and teens.

Thanks for your suggestions, Lin. Unfortunately Reading is a bit far, especially on a week night - I finish my teacher training next April (in which case I will hopefully be moving to New York or London- so no shortage of ballet there!) I'm just trying to cobble something together until then.

It would and it's also the time aspect (I know I'm sounding negative!) I work full time and I'm also in full-time teacher training. It might just have to be I work something out with Oxford but it would honestly be awful! The local pilates studio have a barre class once a week which I am getting details on but I'm aware it's not going to qualify as 'ballet.'

I live in the Abingdon/Didcot/Wantage area in Oxford (in a rural location, these three places are most accessible, sadly Oxford itself is not.) I'd probably alo be able to get to the Newbury area too but I can't find anything actually in the town itself.

I don't drive, sadly. I also haven't had much luck with acquiring private lessons though I have tried. There are a few more places I could potentially try and I have e-mailed a few- I am just gutted by the thought of having to give up ballet!

I'm feeling pretty down right now It looks like I may have to give up ballet due to lack of classes. I used to go to an open adult class on a Wednesday evening, where, to be quite honest, I was pretty out of my depth when it came to centre work. That has since been cancelled and split in two: the beginners section is at 09.45 a.m. on a Wednesday (which I can't go to because I work) and the other section is on a Saturday morning and I'm not of the required standard. Another school was supposed to be running a class on a Friday evening but this was cancelled too as I was the only one that signed up. I tried a third school but they seem not keen on me joining the classes as they have teens in the class (I'm in my twenties.) I just feel a bit lost and don't know what to do now and it looks like I might have to give up ballet. I live 12 miles from Oxford but it's a nightmare to get to so it's just not feasible. Does anyone have any other ideas or what have you done in this situation before? Becky

I am PM-ing you some options for Oxfordshire area

Lartiste- super idea but unfortunately skirts aren't permitted in the class I don't mind dancing with teens at all. I hope the teacher will accept me as it means I would get to dance some more modern and lyrical too

I possibly have a lead on taking some ISTD classes (I think I probably am about level 4.) I want to do syllabus work but am anxious that I might be placed in a class with a bunch of 10-11 year olds! I'm also planning to do some modern at ISTD level (possibly above level 4 as my modern is much stronger!) My questions are: - Would it be suitable to take ISTD classes as an adult? - What is the average age for taking ISTD exams at grade 4? Also could anyone point me in the direction of a suitable sky blue leotard for um... adults? I can only find children's and I am required to wear sky blue. I'm talking one with some kind of lining, full, but preferably shelf-lined? I own <a href="http://getdancewear.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/c/mc110_3.jpg">this</a< do you think this could be suitable with the addition of a belt?

Sounds amazing, youngatheart. Unfortunately Reading is just a bit too far from me but I will e-mail Rachael to tell her I am interested I'm currently looking at a school that offers an ISTD syllabus- has anyone ever danced this? I'm worried because there are less grades I would be even more ancient in a grade 4 class or similar!

I was thinking that too but I know at least one of the schools still has classes during half term. I will try calling them if I haven't heard by the beginning of next week...

Michelle- roughly how many hours a week do you dance? And do you have any issues with your knees? A previous teacher says I have 'knock knees' and I 'roll in on my pirouettes. I'm currently struggling a bit trying to find lessons. I decided I wanted to do more modern and also swap my open class for an RAD (grade 5, maybe 6.) So far I've e-mailed two schools this week and neither have got back to me I understand they are busy but I'm impatient to know if I could join an RAD class even though I would be ancient in it!

Classes at my current school are 90 mins - 2 hours depending on if it includes a separate stretch section. and thank you xx

I've been struggling for a while with this question: to what extent is it possible JUST to do ballet purely for fun and recreation or as a secondary form of dance? I do enjoy ballet very much but have found I need to make a lot of sacrifices to get there. All the advice on the internet says you need to be doing 3 x 90 minute classes per week to improve and get to a reasonable standard (as an adult.) Quite honestly I feel overwhelmed and a bit exhausted with it all. My true passion is musical theatre but I love ballet too. I feel like I have to choose one or the other and it all feels impossible sometimes! I'm thinking of reducing my ballet to about 2 1/2 hours a week in order to pick up voice lessons again and maybe join a drama group. Eventually I would like to try for a career in musical theatre and understand ballet is the foundation of all dance and pointe work would certainly be useful. I do not want to dance in a ballet company. Does it have to be all or nothing? Can I achieve a decent standard of ballet on seemingly so 'few' hours? I also take jazz (my favourite form of dance) and tap.

I'm managing to eat a little but still feel pretty yucky. It's keeping me awake at night with the pain and I've had to cancel a multitude of plans today... thankfully none of them were on a train- how awful ... there was definitely no ballet for me this morning!!

You are so right, Lin and that's how I feel now, that I'm just kind of paddling along and not making any real improvement in centre work :/

Thanks, Fiz. I know I don't have to make the decision right now, especially when I'm home with the dreaded stomach bug! Open class in the centre is just way too fast for me, I feel like somewhere closer to home would be a better fit... just a bit nervous that I will be ancient in a grade 5 class!

I'm really struggling with my ballet at the moment. I'm so much more of a jazz/contemporary, even ballroom dancer. I'm struggling with the 'open' format of my current ballet class to the extent I'm considering changing schools to one closer to home. It will break my heart because I adore my teacher and the ladies at ballet but I'm feeling like a graded syllabus where I learn choreography/dances will be a better fit for me. It is also closer to home and less costly (I am a poor student) in terms of transport. Less stressful on my schedule too. Potentially I would do classical award and intermediate ballet on Wednesdays and Grade 5 and beginner's pointe on Thursdays. I have been ill recently so my head is a bit all over the place but I just think it could be so much better for me, even though I dread leaving my wonderful open class. I'm learning so much and I love the barre section but centre work is so over my head!

I live in the south east of England which is one of the main centres for horse racing. I know jockeys are charged about the same fee £100+ for their medicals (it's posted prominently in the surgery- there are a lot of them!)

Michelle, BIG pet peeve of mine, particularly in my broadway jazz class. People sign up for a five week block- we learn the choreography over a five week block, we are in a formation and do partner work. Sometimes people don't turn up to class "because it was raining." ???!! Even worse for show rehearsals! My ballet teacher doesn't allow people who frequently miss class for lame reasons (I'm not talking 'I was ill,' I am talking, 'it was cold outside') to be in shows. Michelle can I also be really cheeky and ask how you fit in so much ballet around work, family etc? I'm really struggling to fit in enough dance and conditioning around work and being in postgrad school also

Thank you, ladies. I am starting some basic pilates like I said to strengthen my core- it will definitely help with my developpe (which is improving- I feel less floppy now!) and my grand battements in the centre. I feel like I'm always struggling for time! I work 8.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. every day. I take jazz on Tuesdays, ballet on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, I'm also doing my teacher training right now- I have no idea where people find the time from! Mondays and Thursdays I try to do interval training and pilates at home.