Ballet Dancers - Should I quit Ballet?

by Allysia
(Colorado)

Ballet Dancers - Should I quit Ballet?

Hello,
So I've come to you for so much advice over the last year and now I really need it! So I'm thinking of quitting Ballet. I am in Colorado and was involved in the Arapahoe shooting, after this I am deciding to quit ballet... at least for a while. Can you offer me advice on where to go from here. I am now trying to do more volunteering. How will I stay in shape and flexible so if I want to go back I can. I really miss dancing but I know I'm not ready to go back yet. Do you think its a good idea to take a break? There are times I'm extremely happy at my choice and times I'm sad that I might quit. I really need some advice on what you would do in my situation and if I choose to just take a short break than what do I do this way I can jump back into it at least a little prepared.
Thank you so much and you always offer the best advise!
Ally

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Reply by Odette
To: - Ballet Dancers - Should I quit Ballet?

Hello Ally,
Thank you for getting in touch with me again, you know how much I enjoy hearing from you and how you're getting on. I'm sorry to hear you're thinking of quitting ballet, you worked very hard at it and I could tell it brought you a lot of enjoyment, but of course I understand your thoughts to quit.

All I can say is ballet is often hard to come back to after a break, mainly because you're body won't feel the same as it did when you left it. You know how much training and regular practice ballet takes to build any sort of progress, you can often take a step back after a break. However, as long as you are aware of this, it is possible to get back to your current ability but it just takes a little bit of time.

If you do want to quit for a while, then you can keep up stretching and exercises to keep your ballet muscles active. I suggest Pilates and Yoga which are really great to keep your ballet muscles in shape and stay strong.

For the first few weeks after a break, it will mainly be your feet which will feel more sore from pointe shoes and your muscles more stiff. You might also find your body isn't as quick to respond, but you just have to accept this period and keep working extra hard before you feel back to normal again.

I hope this helps, but let me know your thoughts now and always follow your gut instincts to what you choose to do.

Best wishes,
Odette