Ballet advice and tips?

Question:hi, would really like some advice and tips for my first ballet lesson, im 17 and having them private(will i learn quicker or better technique?).
My goal in ballet is to go en pointe and to have very nice pirouettes because mine totally suck! Is this a stupid dream.
I have good strong ankles and my feet are fairly flexible for a beginner.
any advice and tips are welcomed. thanxs =]
I have dancing background but not for years, and not ballet,x

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: hi, would really like some advice and tips for my first ballet lesson, im 17 and having them private(will i learn quicker or better technique?).
My goal in ballet is to go en pointe and to have very nice pirouettes because mine totally suck! Is this a stupid dream.
I have good strong ankles and my feet are fairly flexible for a beginner.
any advice and tips are welcomed. thanxs =]
I have dancing background but not for years, and not ballet,x

STRETCH!!! Stretching and warming up properly and super important. If you're not warmed up properly you'll get hurt, no doubts about it. While your dancing if something hurts or doesn't feel right stop. Stop and stretch it out. Don't just work through the pain because you'll hurt yourself. If you stop because you're in pain the teacher won't mind. Stretch after your done also. Especially you're calf muscles because those tend to seize up during the night and that hurts a lot.

I know you want to be on pointe, but don't rush it. If you're ankles aren't strong enough you'll get hurt. Wait till your teacher tells you you're ready.

Pirouettes are hard. And they take a lot of practice. Don't get discouraged. You won't do a perfect pirouette overnight it just doesn't happen that way.

Watch your turnout. If you're turned out from the knee you may think you're doing it right but you're not. You will damage your knees if you dance turned out from the knee instead of the hip. Also you won't be able to get your leg high up when you go to do a kick.

Good luck. Ballet takes muscle, strength, flexibility, perseverance, and it will be painful at first. But when you can dance beautifully and gracefully it will be so worth it.

Don't over do it at first. I ended up with an injury to my ankle. Try pilates for strength training. Go to the bookstore or library and find some books on technique. You might also try dvds as well.
Also, keep a positive attitude. Dancing is done best with a healthy mind body connection. Good luck.

Hi.

Yes you will learn much quicker technique having private lessons because your teacher can focus 100% on you.
No it is not a stupid dream, although 17 is very old to start ballet and most ballet dancers have been dancing since they were about 6 or 7. Or even 3 or 4. Getting good pirouettes should take no time. But beware, you won't go on pointe for a while. Assuming you will start at Grade One, your teacher won't put you on until you have completed and passed at least Grade One, two, three and four exams.

Thats good that your feet are flexible because having a natural good turnout is very important.

Good luck and enjoy it! Its hard work, but worth it.

Work on flexability, balence, and softness. My dance teacher always tells me to relax and look soft and don't try so hard. You need to know how to spot. People do a lot of turns in ballet. Be graceful. Practice with alot of butterflies, straddles, Overdogs (I hate that one), and durence.