More adults joining the jeté set

While many may assume that ballet classes are the preserve of cute little girls in pink tutus and satin slippers, dance schools across the country are reporting a tidal wave of interest in adult ballet sessions.

Films such as Black Swan and The Adjustment Bureau have thrown the spotlight on this sophisticated dance form, while the catwalk is all a-flutter with tutu-style skirts, pastel satin dresses, and ballet pumps.

As Northern Ballet has proved this month, it is never too late to nurture your inner prima ballerina. The company has just launched a new class for people over the age of 55 at its beautiful new headquarters in Leeds.

Dance teacher Caroline Burns says: “We’ve definitely seen a big rise in the number of people over the age of 55 taking up ballet. We had about 30 taking part in the over 55s workshop at Northern Ballet’s Open Day so we decided to put on a weekly class.”

She says ballet is great for posture, alignment and joint mobility. “It’s really a whole body workout, for the mind and the body. It takes us back to when we were young, it recaptures the age of exhilaration.”

In a large, sunny studio, the class starts with a few stretches, engaging the core muscles before going on to some pliés and tendus at the barre. Though poise and posture are emphasised, the class isn’t about perfecting toe points. It is much more about movement and expression.

To live piano music, the group swirl and twist, bend and stretch. Then to the pounding accompaniment of Belarussian pianist, Alena Panasenka, the women embark on triplets across the studio, bending and flouncing in threes.

“Are you feeling springy?” asks Caroline. “Next week we’ll be doing jetés,” and she leaps, stag-like across the room.

As the pace slows down again, the women circle their arms.

“Engage the muscles and find the resistance,” instructs Caroline. “It helps get rid of any bingo wings.”

The class winds up after some more practice on first positions at the barre.

Caroline says: “The adult beginners’ ballet class may focus more on positions, whereas the over-55s class incorporates contemporary dance and whole movements.

“The open adult ballet class attracts men and women, there are around seven men who regularly come along. One gentleman is in his 70s and he comes to every class.”

Sandra Rawding, 68, from Leeds says she would be reluctant to join an adult class which wasn’t specifically for people over the age of 55.

“I’ve done contemporary dance before, but this is only my second ballet class and I’m really enjoying it.”

Lindy Spicer, 62, says she did ballet as a child and is really enjoying taking it up again. “I’ve always loved movement to music and the piano makes all the difference.”

Contrary to popular belief – and to the psychological undercurrent that runs through Black Swan – a ballet workout is not competitive. You are encouraged to do each exercise to the best of your ability.

It’s not about who can kick their leg the highest while performing a grand battement, but about watching yourself improve slowly over time.

Academy assistant, Faye Cardwell, who oversees the company’s open adult ballet classes, says she has seen a huge increase in numbers over the past few weeks, largely as more people discover Northern Ballet’s stunning new £12m headquarters.

“The adult beginners’ class is now fully booked. We had to turn 15 people away this week as we can only take 35 in a class. Hopefully we will be adding more beginners’ classes.”

Yorkshire Dance, which is located just down the road from Northern Ballet’s new base at Quarry Hill, also reports a huge demand for adult classes.

“Our adult ballet is consistently popular and consistently sold out,” says spokesman Anthony Dunn.

“We run classes from beginners to advanced and it’s curious that there is a fairly constant demand for this.

“I think there are a lot of preconceptions about what ballet is like.

“Lots of people come not because they want to become ballerinas, but because it is healthy and fun, it stimulates and stretches.

“There are lots of reasons why people want to do it and it is not because they want to step out on stage and become a prima ballerina.”

“Dance is for absolutely everybody, it doesn’t matter who you are,” concludes Caroline. “Everybody enjoys moving. It takes us back to when we were young and for no reason at all you decided to run and leap and this recaptures that at the age of 55 plus; the pure exhilaration of movement.”

• To find out more about adult ballet classes visit northernballet.com

BALLET BASICS AT A STRETCH

THERE are five basic positions in ballet. The first is formed by placing the feet together, heel to heel at a 180° angle to each other. A plié is a deep, graceful bend that can be performed from each of the five basic ballet positions. A jeté is a jump from one foot to the other, while performing a throwing motion with the leg. A pirouette is one of the most difficult of all dance steps. It involves spinning around on one leg to make a complete turnaround while balancing. In a tendu, one leg slides out along the floor to the front, back or side. The leg remains straight all the way to the point of the foot.