I have been taking adult ballet classes for about 10 years. It helped me initially with posture, hand movement, figuring out technique and movements.

Now I am not so sure that these classes are helping that much--especially with Int. Latin. Everything in ballet it up and Latin is very grounded. I also dance Am Smooth and have been told that my ballet is throwing off some of my movements.

How much carry over from ballet, jazz, hip hop or other dances are good for ballroom? And does one get to the point where he should just stick with ballroom technique?

Hi, Jim.

In my opinion, the ballet cannot hurt. Ballet is a very good if the not the best fundamental training you can have for grace, balance, posture, etc. However, keep in mind that not all dances use the same styling or technique. Ballet is very airy and light and Latin BR is more staccato and hot. I think it depends how serious you want to get with BR: if u are very serious, then obviously you will want to concentrate on the BR tech. Or you can just look at it as a chance to learn a new way to move and express yourself through dance. Kudos to you for your efforts!

I also had extensive ballet training when I began ballroom dancing, and I found it very difficult to use the two together. For instance in latin the ladies hips must relax, or settle to the outside, and in ballet the hips are directly under the body without the slightest tilt most of the time. Also in standard I had to retrain myself to not turn my feet out as I stepped forwards or back, which is very damaging to the partnership not to mention looks funny. Once I decided that I had a greater future in ballroom than ballet I quit ballet. And it took a long time to relearn some movements. I still feel a little awkward in latin :( ...That said, I am grateful for the fundamentals ballet provided me and think it made me a stronger competitor. You just have to be able to separate the two art forms completely

Dancer,

What do you do to supplement your ballroom dancing. Yoga, Pilates, Weights, technique classes in ballroom, practicing by yourself, take more lessons, practicing more with your partner?

My problem is like many dancers in that I don't have a regular practice partner. It's not affordable to practice with my Pro Am teacher-partner. I do practice technique by myself. My previous partner did lots of technique drilling by herself. A ballroom technique class would be great, but they are very few of these ever held.

You helped confirm to me that ballet doesn't help that much after one gets serious about ballroom.

I've found ballet to be very helpful. It really helps you to develop your balance and use over your legs and feet. People may say ballet is airy, but to do a basic ballet class you need to be very grounded, like in ballroom, or you will fall all over the place.

Some ballroom studios in my area teach ballet classes because there are so many adult beginners doing ballroom who would like to supplement it with ballet. Ballet will also help you to develop flexibility through your torso, good use of the arms, and awareness of how the head and spine relate.

I find it to be excellent cross-training, especially if you are limited in your partner practice time due to Pro/Am.

Another good form of cross-training is taking body awareness/movement classes in such things as Alexander technique, Feldenkrais, or Pilates. Of course, the utility of the work is going to depend upon the quality of the teacher -- since Pilates got popular there are basically six-week wonder Pilates teachers out there, as well as highly knowledgeable ones who can really help you to improve your ballroom skills.