7 Ways to Modify Ballet for Your Body

#everydayballet #balletathome #ballerinabody
Many people think that unless they can do ballet exactly like their instructor, they aren't really doing ballet or that their body can't do ballet. This is simply not true! In this video I show you seven easy ways to modify your ballet practice for YOUR body.
Because every body is different, and each ballet journey is unique. The two most important factors for a successful and fulfilling ballet practice are:
1. Listen to your body
2. Respect what its saying
So often we go against ourselves and our bodies with impossible expectations that ignore our unique situation and needs. This kind of approach often leads to harm and suffering, which can take the form of physical injury, frustration, disappointment, or (most awful) feeling "less than" and discouraged about ourselves.
I hope this video will help you tune in to your body & needs as you practice ballet. Honestly, this is a most excellent life skill! And these suggestions are a great place to begin making your ballet journey your very own.
Remember, practice with kindness and honor your efforts. This is the path to fulfillment and joy with ballet!
Happy Dancing!
Xo,
Tiekka
Ballet with me!
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[@melissapenmansanders2110]

Thank you so much for this video. I've been in a wheelchair for almost a year unable to walk . I can stand in short bursts but not for long. I'm trying to strengthen my leg muscles so I can learn to. Walk again. Not to mention I have been a ballet fan since I was a kid. These seven tips are perfect to get me started. I hope for more videos. Thank you

[@everydayballet]

You are so very welcome! It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, and if my videos can be helpful to you, I am very glad! I just want to encourage you in your patience and determination. What you’re doing is quite amazing and takes such grit (which is a ballerina trait!)-And it sounds like you very much have that strength of spirit! Sending you warmest wishes for your health and recovery 🌷🙏🩰✨

[@michellethiesen7972]

I'm also disabled, her beginner stuff is so helpful as someone who wants to do ballet but never thought I could.

[@KH-hr5xm]

Thank you so much for getting this out there! I started following ballet videos on KZbin from another KZbinr and injured myself multiple times trying to do what was suggested in her brand new beginner videos. I wish I'd seen your video first! Thank you for giving me permission to not do 5th position and grand plies! 😂

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! I’m glad you found us! You ALWAYS have permission to take care of yourself, especially when it comes to your ballet practice! Injuries don’t just hurt our bodies, but also our mindset-it can make something as beautiful and beneficial as ballet feel discouraging and impossible. Most ballet instructors teach from a viewpoint of trying to make the body fit the technique. But this leaves out individual needs and abilities. Here at Everyday Ballet we do the opposite-we teach how to bring ballet to your body in a way that allows you to enjoy ballet without stressing your joints or your psyche. I hope you’ll enjoy more of my videos! 💕✨🩰🌸

[@mamapimbi]

I just discovered your videos today and I am in love with them. You are so welcoming and patient and positive that it makes me believe for the first time that maybe, just maybe, I could learn to do ballet. My ankles/ toes get sore very quickly when doing relevé. I tried your beginners 5 position video and I was dying. How can I modify to slowly build strength?

[@everydayballet]

I’m so glad you found us! Yes you can learn ballet!! To answer your question-focus on 1st and 2nd position. Leave the others out for now while you build the basics of turnout, plié, and the other basic barré movements. Later when you have more knowledge and strength you can begin to use a gentle 4th and 5th position. Hope this helps! 💕🌸✨🩰

[@ropegirl8761]

This is such good advice!!! Thank you for putting this information out there. I teach an adult beginner class and this is exactly what they need to hear. You can't enjoy the benefits of ballet if you injure yourself by pushing too hard. There's nothing wrong with working within your abilities. Great video!

[@everydayballet]

Thank you! It's so true--pushing too hard creates more obstacles. I'm glad you share the idea that working within your abilities and respecting your limits is the path to enjoying the benefits of ballet! 🙏🏻💓👏🏻🩰

[@michelleduquette3725]

Thanks so much for your wonderful advice!!!! I have arthritis in both knees, but I am not yet bone-on bone, thank goodness!!!!

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! With a little TLC and awareness, ballet can actually help your body without hurting your knees! 🥰🩰✨

[@BeaApolonie]

Thank you so much for the encouragement and for opening up for your knee condition! I hope it does not worsen much with time and I believe it does not have to if we are mindful of our bodies and keep on moving with gentle grace! I really do hope ballet helps to age more gracefully - meaning with less pain! (I am 41)

[@everydayballet]

You are welcome! I have definitely found that ballet movement keeps me strong and flexible and that my joints feel BETTER when I do it… But I think even more than this, ballet lights me up and buoys my spirit! The value of that can not be overstated! 🥰🩰✨

[@BeaApolonie]

@@everydayballet I'm just discovering what you are pointing out and because of it I'm hoping that ballet stays with me as I age.💕🩰💕

[@patriciacoveney1]

Hello Tiekka, yes this idea is very helpful. The things you mentioned today are things that my teachers actually already promote for us more elderly dancers. But I would also like some specific examples of what steps you can do in an enchainment for example to substitute for the more difficult moves such as assemblés, pirouette’s, fouettés ,arabesques etcor anything with a jumpy movement or just to difficult for an older starter with all the problems you mentioned in the post.

[@everydayballet]

Thank you for sharing! These are great suggestions for a follow along video! Generally, most of the movements you list (I'll have to think on the fouettés) can be modified. Just keep in mind that modifications will generally cause you not to travel as much (where applicable) as fellow students who may be doing the full movement. So keep this in mind whenever modifying during traveling sequences in the center. But other than this consideration, it's entirely doable! And now it's on my video list! Thanks for the suggestion! 🙏🏻💓🩰

[@patriciacoveney1]

@@everydayballet s Very glad the comments were helpful, don’t worry about fouetté it was just an example of a step us oldies can’t manage. But the others do come up from time to time. Many thanks for all you do.

[@everydayballet]

🙏💖🌸🩰

[@katherinek.147]

Thank you so much!! Very helpful!!

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! 🥰✨🌸🩰

[@lunartive]

🖤🖤

[@everydayballet]

🙏💖🩰

[@JGreen-le8xx]

Tiekka❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😄

[@everydayballet]

🙏✨🥰🩰

[@barbaraangele8615]

Did I hear you say the knee does not have to be pulled up and tight? I know the knee should not be locked backward but was always taught it has to be locked and straight???? Not relaxed at all.

[@everydayballet]

Oh gosh! The knee is not relaxed-it is lifted and drawn up through the quadriceps. As you say, the issue is when hypertended legs lock back… Instead of this locking back, the knee needs to be lifted-which may mean bending the knee very slightly so the front of the knee can lift instead of locking back. Generally, locking backward in the knees means the leg is not truly lengthened and extended. The kneecap must be drawn up through the quads. Hope this clarifies things! 😊✨🩰

[@barbaraangele8615]

@@everydayballet Thank you so much for your clarification.