ญญญญ YMCA BALLET
Ballet classes at the YMCA are free to members or $4 per class for others. They are thoroughly ballet and geared to adults. They provide a pleasant workout, both physically and mentally, as well as in a spiritual and meditative sense. There is deep breathing and stretching as well as movement and jumping all to inspiring classical music. Even though adults may take a while to develop strength and flexibility they tend to catch on to steps and technique principles well.
Basic Ballet ( Sat 10:15-11am Janet ) - is not so much a dance class but a simple slow class without too much movement making it suitable for anyone. It can provide the foundation for going on in ballet or simply be a nice little workout. It encompasses controlled movement, breathing, and stretching and is somewhat akin to Tai Chi and Yoga. Strengthening the ballet specific muscles and good posture as well as the basic movements and poses of ballet will be worked on keeping in mind breathing, relaxation, and lifting the weight out of your body. We will be concentrating on some of the most enjoyable aspects of ballet and principles that are essential to the proper development of the muscles needed for the ease, safety, effortless light flowing illusion, and overall enjoyment of ballet.
Beginning Ballet ( Sat 11:00-12:00pm Janet ) is a dance class to practice moving and chaining steps together as well as developing strength. It will allow you to becoming familiar with (or review) most of the steps utilized in the intermediate class. The class is good for those with limited experience as well as those who have been away from it for quite sometime. A few barre exercises for warmup and strengthening will start the class. The remainder will be center work involving short allegro combinations (moderation on jumps and turns) as well as slower adagio work incorporating port-de-bra (arm movements) and poses. Some center time will go towards explaining individual steps and technique but dancing will dominate.
Intermediate Ballet ( M & F 12:15-1:30pm Janet, W Noon-2 pm Robin ) is best suited to those with a strong ballet background. It has a short barre warmup followed by center work consisting of a variety of steps chained together in many ways. It is a rather fast paced class with much of the work mid to upper level intermediate so a working familiarity with common steps and fundamental technique as well as some strength is extremely helpful. It will make your time spent more enjoyable and benificial as well as help you to avoid injuries.
Attire - You must have clothes that allow unrestricted movement. Somewhat tight stretchy clothes are best, clothes that are extremely baggy or loose may get in your way. The more form fitting the clothes the more one can see if your body placement and technique is correct. Whatever you are comfortable with. For your feet you can make do with cotton socks in the Basic Class but ballet slippers are needed beyond that. They run from $20-$35 and can be purchased at some shoe stores in town or mail ordered from internet sites selling dance wear. A snug fit is desired, especially with leather slippers as they will stretch out over time. The lower priced slippers are probably fine except you want to be sure there is not a lump underneath the ball of the foot. The only way to know though is by inspection. Capezio, Danskin, and Bloch are trusted brands.
Instructors - Janet Hagan (377-5497) trained for several years at the June Runyon School of Ballet in Tulsa, a year at the San Antonio Ballet Company School, and a year at Patricia Paul's School of Dance in Christchurch, New Zealand. She has also studied the French language and taken ballet classes in France. Robin Anderson (624-2812) studied ballet at a variety of schools including the Romanoff School of Ballet, the University of Utah, Continental Ballet Studio, and both the Tulsa and OKC Ballet Company schools. Both have remained active through adulthood.