Adult Ballet Class Etiquette Discussion

Abby & Jana discuss some of the traditional ballet class etiquette rules and how they apply or adjust for the adult ballet class. We encourage the discussion to continue in the comments below!
What To Expect At Your First Adult Ballet Class: • What to Expect at Your...
Spacing Etiquette for Adult Ballet Class: • Spacing Etiquette for ...
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Music credits:
Divertimento K131 Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

[@MyKombucha]

I used to come early and warm up at the barre. Girls would walk in late, take my spot where I'm already working and tell me to move over. The first time I didn't make a scene, the second time, I said no, tardy girl got upset and even the teacher called her for routinely walking in late and squeezing a spot between girls. Feel so vindicated Lol.

[@nj586]

During running combinations in the center, if you notice you`re getting too close to the person in front of you, don`t run or jump into them. Instead try and do the combination on the spot to still do it but evade accidents.

[@jessicabloxom2754]

Please don't hold a side conversation while the teacher is giving a combination. Even if you don't plan on trying the combination, everyone is using all their brain cells to concentrate and you are a distraction. Drives me nuts.

[@BallerinasByNight]

Definitely agree!

[@elizabethaleman4289]

I come from a mom who has been remarried 2times.and childhood trauma.i was poor and still am.but when I was younger I loved to watch ballet and gymnastics and ice skating.im 35now and recently found some books on these sports.and am excited about teaching myself. When I was about 12 i taught myself how to do a round off backhandspring.and at 20i fractured my pelvis and femur been depressed but hope my life will settle down in the next year or two.

[@Itsme_1648]

Ok...I’m in love with this channel. ❤️ Thanks for the class tips. I died laughing at ya’ll rapping at the end. So good!! 🤣

[@BallerinasByNight]

Haha glad you enjoyed that bit at the end :) Thank you for watching!!

[@K_ballet]

My teachers used to kick us out of class for drinking water! Now as an adult I’m always like...... is this ok?! Lol

[@BallerinasByNight]

Oh wow, for water?! Staying hydrated while dancing is important!

[@eeveefrost7975]

its the teacher's responsibility to tell someone if a class os too advanced. Or the staff at the school. If someone who doesn't know what a plie is, is getting into an intermediate/advanced class on their first attempt, there's something wrong with the school.

[@jocornel]

My class had an issue with perfume...really don’t need that in class, deodorant, yes...perfume ,No. some people are highly sensitive.

[@BallerinasByNight]

Completely agree - body spray and perfume can overwhelm an enclosed space in a hurry!

[@esstown]

One of my biggest pet peeves in adult ballet is when the teacher uses the opportunity to get her own daily barre done. I have seen this occur in many adult classes and my theory is it's caused by our current culture of "adult ballet isn't important, they're just there for exercise." She will stand at the front of the class, do all the combinations on both sides, while shouting out the entire combination beat by beat, otherwise paying little attention to anyone.

[@BallerinasByNight]

Definitely understand that frustration!

[@erinnichols4866]

She or he isn’t teaching you if they are focusing on their own barre. You paid for someone to guide you and help you with ballet, not just tell you what exercises to do.

[@user-jj5mm9pi5s]

No sometimes the students like it when their teacher performs the full routine. So they have someone to dollow

[@kaykomckayface1097]

Ok I finally found a place to rant lol. My problem is with MOST of male students in the class. They are so so bad they can’t even do a plié right (like Demi plié But the heals are up etc). But they insisted to come to intermediate/advance class....they can’t do a single pirouette right but they wanna try multiple and then fall all over the place on other girls...the teachers and studio and to put out warnings or notice to stop them but they are still coming to advance class...their grand pas are just weapons I am not joking...they hurt so many female students so badly one of which had to quit ballet for good...there was even a lawsuit about that but somehow the woman who got hurt lost it cuz somehow it’s just an accident...yeh an accident if the other party listened it would never happen....me myself got pumped into and injured in ankle, toes, ribs...there was once I heard a teacher trying to talk someone like that out of advanced class saying “well you can’t even do a grand plié right” and then he was like “I can!” And then did one with but sticking out and fell out of it coming back up but after that he was still very proud and thought it was perfect....they are really just delusional...ugh

[@tarabridget9076]

That's so awful! Is it just one man or multiple?

[@manofadventure-ru9os]

@@tarabridget9076 why you hatin'?

[@mimiduquette8786]

I took ballet classes years ago, when I really was intent upon becoming a professional ballet dancer. Now that I look back upon those times, I cannot believe how rude that I was in class!!! Many times, I would listen pretty well in class, but I inevitably would come up with a question just as the teacher was putting the needle on the record!! Unbelievable!!! I also took class for a short time with a civic ballet intermediate/advanced class, which was so obviously too advanced for me!! I oftentimes had to wear my glasses to class, and they always were falling off of my face, so that the person in front of me had to kick them away!! I often got lost in the choreography at the barre, and I just would hold my neck, embarrassed, and just let it go!! I finally decided to leave the class after a few weeks of embarrassment, and never went back again.....

[@meganmclerran4333]

When they first said the word "phone" my jaw literally dropped lmao

[@emilylamers469]

Just wondering if you could please make a suggestion for how to prevent cramps in the feet? I foam role and use a tennis ball but am still suffering from it in class!! Thank you!!!

[@BallerinasByNight]

You may need to talk to a doctor about it. It could be an underlying issue, but it could also be nutritional as well. Have you tried adding in some electrolytes? That's the first thought that comes to mind with any kind of muscle cramp.

[@BallerinasByNight]

Hi Emily! Jana here. Just wanted to add from my personal experience with foot cramps that my lack of feet strength was my main culprit. I naturally have very weak feet, so when I would point them (especially when I first started dancing as a pre-teen) I would cramp all the time. With theraband work and really articulating my feet in class (and doing lots of forced arched stretches into full releve) I was able to overcome that. And to echo Abby, making sure I'm getting enough electrolytes and potassium is crucial - they'll still cramp today if I don't do that!

[@emilylamers469]

Thanks so much for replying, I've been dancing for only over a month as a beginner (I'm from Australia also) ,I know I can google this but want to know with a ballet context what foods do you suggest to get this nutrition? Things like coconut water? Thanks again!

[@michelle11457]

@@emilylamers469 I’ve found with my students if they eat a banana about 30 minutes before class with water it# much better and then one before bed. It can be stretching issues too but potassium could be the reason. Give it a shot.

[@autumnpendergast9151]

There is a woman in my class who spends the whole time laughing hysterically. And a man who spends the whole time leaning on the bqrre gawking at the women.

[@babymammoth34]

That's real messed up. Sorry you have to deal with this. I have to deal with two female friends in class who constantly belch in the most nauseating manner and their breath smells like liquor. And this dude who always forgets to turn off the friggin' dumbass cell phone. Plus the ringtone is Cardi B whose music I find repugnant and annoying. Strange times.

[@TanyaAjax]

Please don't tell the teacher and rest of the class what to do, we pay for the teacher not you.

[@Chelsea_HHF]

As an adult and amateur, I feel like I should be allowed to have my phone with me during class. We have jobs, families, and responsibilities and if we need to use our phone, then we are making an adult decision to not participate in a class we have paid for and chose to attend. I understand that we don't want to disrespect the teacher and other classmates, but if I opt out of doing an exercise because I have to attend to something quickly and then rejoin the class, that should be fine. I think some talking in an adult class is ok. Socializing is a different thing. Words of encouragement and laughs should be allowed. We like to arrive 15-20 minutes before class to catch up before class. One of my teachers is amazing and she will say after an exercise, "That was great, we should have a picture/video." It's really nice that she is encouraging.

[@jessieborrell1856]

I think phone use is fine if you step out into the hall or somewhere not in the dance space. Otherwise, I think it can be really distracting for teachers and students. As a fellow adult student, I would personally find it a bit frustrating if someone was using their phone at the barre and then suddenly when we start the combination doesnt know what we're supposed to be doing and the teacher has to give instructions again. My class is generally very relaxed and chatty which is fine if it's ballet-related talking but I get rather frustrated when students decide to tell stories and talk about non-ballet things or distract our teacher by asking them things unrelated to ballet, especially if they're about to mark an exercise. I pay to be there to learn and my classes are only an hour long so I want to get the most out of it that I can and improve as much as possible. I do think it's important for adult classes to have a balance between fun and too rigid, so that people are encouraged to come back and want to be there.

[@Chelsea_HHF]

Certainly the phone better be on silent! I keep my phone with my water and have a quick check when I have a drink. I would never hold up a class. If someone is calling my during class, by Fitbit would vibrate and I would know its urgent! I don't feel that if I've already done my combination and I need to reply to something quick, that I should be chastised for it. I'm an adult, this is my free time, if I'm on the sidelines and not bothering anyone, it shouldn't be an issue. As for non-ballet related talk, I have zero tolerance, but I love encouragement and empowerment and laughs with my classmates!

[@SP-kk5nj]

Chelsea HHF Sorry Chelsea but that’s just SO rude. Ballet has rules and expectations of students (child or adult) and using your phone is a definite no-no. It’s just not necessary. If it’s a real emergency within your family they will know where you are and can call the studio. Anything else can wait. If you can’t respect the art of ballet, your teacher and fellow students you shouldn’t be there at all.