u/ATrain918

Adult male. So, I have been dancing now for 3 years and love it. I recently splurged on some dancewear and showed up to our first intermediate summer dance class of the summer session. A friend saw what I was wearing under my t-shirt and "dared" me to take class without the shirt. I ended up caving to the peer pressure and said, "screw it." I felt so naked, but no one was looking at me but my friend as she was studying me lol. I felt like my core was sorer after class than usual as I was so focused on engaging my abs/core and not presenting a dad-bode. I ripped the Band-Aid off and feel more confident to look more "professional" or "serious" when showing up to classes.

With summer ballet approaching, to those adults who are new to ballet, it will better serve you if you stay off the front row during barre and stay in the middle or back row/last group during center/travelling. To those who are somewhat experienced (like a year or more in), please try to gravitate to the center, front row during barre, going in the first groups and staying in the front row during center in beginner classes. This will be beneficial to everyone in their progression.

Remember, this is a beginner class, and you are not expected to know things. You may develop feelings of being lost, frustrated, incredibly sore, insecure.... Those are all normal feelings to adult ballet beginners and everyone else. Each class presents an opportunity to be better than you were last class even though improvement can be hard to notice/feel.

Unless your school has a true dress code for adult ballet, show up in what you feel comfortable in while still allowing a teacher to see your lines (see you and not your clothes). Wear ballet shoes or socks to your first class, no street shoes though!