written by Dancing Fool  on 06.10. at 05:22:58

Well, I'm 47, and started at 46, and I can honestly say that you are not too old to learn - no one is.  I've read of dancers going into nursing homes and giving the elders lessons, and finding that even the very old could learn and enjoy ballet.

That said, 44 is not 24, and there are physical limitations on what you can achieve.  I must work extra hard at flexibility, but as hard as I work, I am no kid and will never be as limber as a professional dancer, 99+% of whom are in their 20s and 30s.

In fact, I must report to you that I am sidelined from classes for a couple of months, due to a stress fracture in my right ankle, which is a result of a bad landing from a grande jete.  This could have happened to anyone, but even before I incurred this injury my kees and ankles were awfully sore from taking a pounding in class after class after class.

So this is my advice:  Do an honest assessment of your current physical capabilities.  Do not exaggerate your abilities, and do not minimize any limitations or old injuries you may have.  If you are not already in the best physical condition possible for your age and circumstances, ballet will help your development in this respect, but it may be difficult and dangerous, especially if you do not regularly exercise or are overweight.  If you decide to pursue ballet class, be prepared to find that you will likely not be able to lift your legs as high, or balance as long and steadily, or have as much stamina as many of the other students, most of whom will probably be younger women.  But if you persist, you will definitely see improvements in all areas.

These are the lessons of painful experience.  I don't mean at all to discourage you.  Ballet is great fun, and the greatest challenge I have ever tackled.  It is a major bummer to be deprived of my classes, because they were the highlight of my week.

Good luck!