How flexible do you need to be to do ballet? Also, how old is too old?

Question:I'm 19 and would like to learn the basics of ballet, as I have done freestyle disco, solo cheerleading, ballroom, latin, classical and modern sequence since the age of 13 but have always wanted to learn ballet(I wanted to do it as a kid but my parents wouldn't allow me and now I've got my own money to pay with I'd like to at least try).

I don't expect to be able to go up on pointe but just being able to do the basics would be wonderful- I want to give it a go before I am definitely too old! (if possible....)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm 19 and would like to learn the basics of ballet, as I have done freestyle disco, solo cheerleading, ballroom, latin, classical and modern sequence since the age of 13 but have always wanted to learn ballet(I wanted to do it as a kid but my parents wouldn't allow me and now I've got my own money to pay with I'd like to at least try).

I don't expect to be able to go up on pointe but just being able to do the basics would be wonderful- I want to give it a go before I am definitely too old! (if possible....)

Absolutely go for it. You might be surprised at how you progress. I have seen somewhat overwieght women in their 30's go on pointe in less than 6 months. It depends on your own talent, drive and physical skills - along with some good teachers. A couple classes/week and at home exercises to strengthen your ankles + some yoga or Pilates will help your flexibility.

You're never too old to learn. Find a studio near you that has adult beginner open classes so you can test to see if the difficulty is right. Seeing that you've danced before you'll probably pick it up pretty quickly. For flexibility, just stretch some each day and you'll find ballet much easier. Hope I helped ( :

You can not be too old for ballet. It is very important that you know that.! Maybe it's too late being a professional, I don't know, but to me it didn't sound like that was what you want to.
If you are lucky you will get en pointe, especially when you have danced before. That means that you have strong ankles and so on, which is the main part of the question weather you are ready to go en pointe or not.
I'd say go for it girl! It is never too late!

You can learn ballet basics at any age! I was a ballet dancer and now am a teacher. I have taught adult ballet classes and the people in there were no younger than 40 and had no previous experience. They were just doing it for fun and to stay fit. And surprisingly they were pretty good at it after a while! At 19, you'll never become a professional at it or anything, but you can learn what ballet is all about and it is fun and a great way to stay in shape! Just find a local ballet school that has open adult classes. You can usually just pay $10-$15 per class or buy a class card or a flex card for around $100 and get maybe 10-12 classes out of it. Usually schools have those kinds of classes once or twice a week. You attend whenever you can without having to sign up for for anything expensive like the younger serious students have to.
Hope this helps and happy dancing! Hope you enjoy ballet!!

you're not too old since you just want to learn basics.

you won't become a professional or anything.

and you have to be extremely flexible.

well i guess it all matters how strict your instuctor is.

i would go for it if i were you.

I started at your age, with far less dance background than you. I was able to do far more than the basics. In fact I went on pointe in less time than a younger person, because I had stronger feet, being an adult. go for it!

Your previous training should put you in a good position to learn ballet. You will need to gain flexibility in your hip flexors, because that is not required in most forms of dance, as well as turnout. Unless you have natural turn-out, do not expect to get 180 degree turn out. Just work with what you have. See it as a challenge and find out how good you can become.