Yes, these are my feet in ballet slippers and no, I am not a trained ballerina but I do practice ballet. 

It all started as a challenge to myself. Five years ago for a New Year's resolution, I decided to try and teach myself something that I considered myself to be "too old" to learn. Ballet became my challenge. Little did I know, my future would consist of leotards, legwarmers, ballet slippers, and falling deeply into the art of ballet.

This hobby, workout, sport, helps to center your mind, body, and soul both mentally and physically. Not only will you move with grace through the fluid routines of different ballet steps, but you will also focus on engaging your core to support the weight of your body on both, and sometimes, one leg. If you can build your strength through the first few weeks and surpass the frustration of a fast pace learning curriculum, you will begin to become addicted to the art and find yourself visualizing the dance moves you have learned while listening to classical music.

There are two wonderful ballet schools I have tried here in Memphis. 

Ballet Memphis

 

Identified as a “national treasure” by the Ford Foundation, Ballet Memphis annually produces more original work than any other company its size and continues to breathe new life into the classical ballets we’ve long enjoyed. Their combined programs—professional company, ballet school, educational enrichment, community outreach and Pilates Centre—serve 75,000 people annually.  

I loved the very structured approach they follow when teaching their students. Ballet Memphis' teachers are fabulous, and really take the time to make sure you are preforming every move correctly. They have beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes for adults.

New Ballet Ensemble

 

Photo Taken From Amie Vanderford Images

Founded in 2001, New Ballet Ensemble and School is a Community School of the Arts and Arts Education program with a professional performing ensemble.  Unique to Memphis and to communities across America, New Ballet is a bridge-building arts training organization that serves youth from every corner of the area and in its entirety, providing access to excellence in training.  Children and adults come together on a daily basis in an arts space where the common denominators are both excellence and innovation in dance. New Ballet Ensemble of Memphis offers an Adult Beginners, Intermediate, Modern, and Flamenco. I enjoyed the variety of movement taught at this school. If you like fast paced learning, the adult ballet classes are definitely for you!

For more information on classes, please click on the pictures and you will be redirect to the school's class schedules.