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Question: I need some advice about whether or not to continue my ballet lessons!?
hi i'm 14!. i just started ballet lessons 5 months ago!. my teacher put me in a primary class, then later asked me to attend for the grade 1 class too!. so now i'm doing both grade one and primary at the same time!.
i have been doing some serious thinking for the past few weeks!. i mean, i'm not really enjoying it that much anymore!. it's sort of hard to explain!. i feel so unsecured and so out of place!. like, for one thing, i have to be in a class with kids!. and i can't look at myself in the mirror, i feel so terrible!. and i have this friend, she's 14 also and we started at the same time and she went to another studio because this one here is too far, but it's just another branch, it's under the same company!. and she keep telling me how great it was when my teacher went over to teach her once!. that the teacher praised her throughout the whole lesson and keep telling her how talented she is and all!. well, my teacher hardly ever praises anyone here, especially me!. but i know she's telling the truth because indeed when the last time, we were in the same class, the teacher keep telling her her arch is beautiful and all and i couldn't help feeling jealous!. and then there's my health!. i have been having problems for a long time!. like i can't do too much sports or i'll have palpitations and i'd black out or things like that!. and for the moment, nothing has happened yet but i know some embarrassing accident is bound to happen some time!.
but i don't know what to tell my mum, or how to tell her!. because she's spent a lot of money on it already!. starting from the clothing, the fees and all the expenses!. plus, i want to be able to do it, but everything keeps coming in the way, first how i feel then my health and my family problems and etc!. but i keep looking at those ballet videos and i!.!.!.!.!.!.
please, help me sort my feelings!. i myself don't even know what i want now!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I can relate a little bit!. I started taking ballet classes after I graduated from high school!. I wanted to be the amazing ballerina you see in performances from the SF Ballet, or the NY Ballet or whatever professional ballet company!. I took a few dance classes in high school, and that dance teacher suggested that I take ballet!. So, I did!. I went to the closest studio, and signed up for classes!. I was 18, and get this, they put me in the 11-year-old classes!. At first it was totally awkward, but after a while I decided not to let myself feel awkward anymore!. I just stopped letting it bother me, and I started to focus on learning what I was there to learn!. One of my teachers kept telling my class that learning is a process, and no matter what age you are learning never ceases (we had a 90 year old lady taking some classes at the studio)!. It's really hard not to feel jealous of a friend!. Just remember that your process of learning is different than hers, and your body is different too!. Not all dancers have the "ideal" body type (ie hyper-extention, beautiful arches, long lines, etc) and because we are all differnet it makes us all unique as dancers!. If your body isn't perfect don't fret, because there is always room for you!. Every principal dancer has their flaws, they become principal through sheer determination to do so, their flaws don't stop them!.
I took my ballet classes because I wanted to become a great dancer!. I'm now majoring in dance in college, even though my technique isn't amazing!. I'm still WAY behind, considering the people I take classes with!. You're unsure now about what you want, and that's ok!. You are 14, and you don't need all the answers now!.
To help you decide what to do:
-Take a few minutes and write out a pro/con list; write all the "positive" things about taking these classes on one side, and all the "negative" things on the other!.
-Think about what benefits you could get from ballet!. It's good exercise, flexibility, etc!.
I do think you should tell your mom exactly how you feel!. It may be difficult, but she knows you and your situation better than I do!. She loves you and will always love you!. If you stop taking ballet, don't look at it as a waste of time and money, think of it as a stepping stone to finding something you absolutely love!. I went through, modeling, acting, fashion design, art, computer aided drafting, and small business classes before I even thought to try ballet!. My mom didn 't exactly like that I quit classes, expecially since they cost a lot, but for me it was worth it!. I got to to try all sorts of different things and I got to learn about myself and what would be good for me in the future!. My mom knew that I wasn't going to like everything I did, but she told me that if she could do it over again knowing the outcome, she'd still spend all of that money on my "frivilous" classes!. Don't feel guilty for wanting to try something new and having it not work out the way you had planned, instead be glad you had the opportunity to try it!.
Writing down your thoughts and concerns can help you sort them out!. Again, you are 14, and you don't have to have all the answers, I'm 19 and I still don't, but one thing I do know is that I can learn whatever I want to and stop when I get sick of it!. Take your time and try new things, you'll never know what it will lead you to!. Learning is a process!.
Ballet is beautiful but not everyone is cut out to be a ballerina, if you like to watch it, then you should continue to!. There wouldn't be ballet if there wasn't anybody to watch it!.
If you'd like to ask me some other question or want me to elaborate on anything, just let me know! I hope you can figure this all out! Good luck! :)Www@QuestionHome@Com
Talk to your mum about what you said here, if it is the ballet or your health I think she would prefer that you be happy and healthy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
tell your mom exactly what you posted!. She'll understand!. Plus she probably knows you a lot better than any of us internet people would so she could give you a better answer!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
I would have to say yes!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Ah You must think very hard!. How badly do you want to be a dancer!? Are you there only to have fun or to become a pro!? If it's only to have fun you might want to take a break for a month and see how much you miss it!.
I don't want you to regret quitting and then later on in life realizing you want this like I did!.
It's good to be taking two classes at once!. You get more experience that way!. It's an opportunity to improve technique!
Ask your teacher for more tips and criticism!. Compliments are not the best way to get better, when they tell you to correct something it's much more helpful ^_~ If you feel you're having trouble in a certain area ask the teacher for advice and practice at home! (carefully though!)
Talking to a doctor about your health could help you out a lot!. You need to find out whether or not Ballet would harm you more than do you good!. Ballet takes quite a bit of effort and dedication and is one of the more difficult sports to do!.
About the expenses I know it's very expensive but if you want to stop it's better to do it earlier than later, later on things get more and more expensive!.
I wish you much luck with whatever you decide to do!Www@QuestionHome@Com