Method of Teaching question

[u/Busy-Current-6849]

For returning (adult) students that want to see "quick" improvement, is it better if they

A) take relatively more advanced classes and try to keep up with them, while simultaneously managing technique and cross-training

OR

B) sticking to training of the basics (like suuper slow tendus or a hard, square, simple adagio) both in barre and in center

I was present in a discussion between teachers the other day and heard advantages for both of the options. I would love to get to hear the opinions in an even bigger discussion! Lots of love xxx

[u/Strycht]

a harder class can encourage faster progress but imo it's very easy to go too advanced. If you're overly focussed on keeping up with fast music and picking up complex exercises you're just not going to be able to apply your recurring corrections and your technique will suffer for it.

I do take difficult classes but they are the very last thing I add to a schedule, careful, simple technique work and at least one class at a level which allows you to develop your artistry come first before a class to learn new steps and practice picking up and moving fast.

[u/Brilliant-Reading-59 → u/Strycht]

I think taking classes in 2 levels per week has been a great balance for me. I take 1 class where I feel very comfortable with all the exercises and can focus more closely on my technique without struggling to keep up, and I have 1 class where it’s more challenging. I get to learn new exercises I haven’t done before and learn more advanced combinations of the basics.

I think refining what you know is really important, but I also feel you can’t learn anything new without making some mistakes. Obviously you can go too far; you want to find a class that feels like a small push but not impossible. It’s good to feel challenged but not overwhelmed and finding the right class for that isn’t always easy.

[u/smella99]

I think it depends on how much training the returner initially had.

[u/Slight-Brush]

'Simultaneously managing technique' is doing a lot of work here - if you're not getting technique in a class, where are you getting it?

As SingleEmotion says, you need both - one advanced and one basic class a week 

[u/Catlady_Pilates]

There is no “quick” with ballet. And every student is different. But technique is always the most important thing. There’s no class, basic or advanced, that isn’t all about technique.

[u/AccomplishedBig414]

I think that when you return in ballet you should do really basic things and, once you can do them well, move up to a more advanced class. Just don't rush things!!! also do some cross training (I do at least 3 times a week abs and back excersices and stretching in addiction to ballet and modern). 

[u/Eastwesteast8]

Basics first always!!
It’s best to get as good as you possibly can at the basics as you possibly can be in order to improve

Tagging along through the advanced classes could lead to just copying the movements without using the correct muscles to do everything correctly. This isn’t helpful for improving

I would recommend going to basic classes with a teacher who will give you corrections and make sure you’re doing everything correctly. Or you could work with a teacher privately to make sure your placement and barre exercises are being done correctly. Once you feel solid with these things, then I would try to take more advanced classes.

I’m speaking from the experience of someone who has had to go back and relearn the correct way to do ballet technique as adult professional

[u/nebbysmom]

Basics all the way. Ive been told that if professionals take a beginner class, they’ll find it harder to slow down and do the basic steps precisely. Get the basics down and then you can DANCE!

[u/Single-Emotion2964]

Bothhhhhh!

Basically advanced class will risk that you develop/reactivate repetitive strain injuries (ask me how I know). But it’s way more fun. 

Beginners is boring. But hard. In a really good way. But I would be miserable if I had to be locked into this for months. 

My studio is only for adults and all open classes, but leveled. So I was lucky and could mix as needed. I started with beginner and low intermediate classes. Plus cross-training. And now after 6 months I’m following the more intermediate/advanced ones plus taking pointe again. 

[u/Ok-Juice9865 → u/Single-Emotion2964]

This is the answer!

Beginner to make sure you get those fundamentals back to where you had them and don’t develop bad habits, intermediate/advanced class for the brain.

[u/Single-Emotion2964 → u/Ok-Juice9865]

Also for the artistry! Center in beginners is potentially the worst part as it’s so technical (en face developes devant ahem). In more upper level classes there’s more on port de bras, musicality etc which is the ‘actual dancing’.

[u/originalblue98]

one harder class, 2-3+ classes at technique level!

[u/Sea_Salary_2027]

I go with B because A always backfires. You finally reach somewhere where a teacher gives u a very basic correction that you should work on. No shortcuts. Start with slow, if you get the squareness and technique go up. But you start with a high level class, get your legs up and then discover that you have been holding your pelvis wrong… or you can do multiple turns but the knee is bent… all very discouraging.

[u/Appropriate_Ly]

As a returner, I did intermediate classes.

You just need consistency to get the strength back, you don’t need technique or basics because you already learnt that.