by Renee Simmons

With hit shows like Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, dance has hit an all-time high in popularity. It’s no wonder. With shimmery costumes, pulse-pumping music and heartfelt choreography, who wouldn’t be drawn to the young performers popping from the screen?

And admit it, there’s a little voice inside you that speaks up every once in a while: “I could’ve done that” or “I’d love to try that”. And the simple fact of the matter is, you can!

AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER

You may have trouble believing it right now, but the truth is that it’s never too late to start classes. Dance is an art form, and art can be appreciated and developed at any stage of life. “That’s the wonderful thing about dance,” says Jan Johnson of Academy of Dance Centers in Bonita Springs. “It keeps you young – it keeps your spirit alive.”

Even for the seductive art of belly dancing, age is not an issue. At Ansuya’s Belly Dance Studio in Naples, women of all ages mix in Ansuya’s classes. “Connecting with people of different ages adds to your wisdom if you are young, and maintains your youthfulness if you are older,” says Ansuya.

BENEFITS

The physical benefits of dance for students of all ages are significant. “It has been proven that the incorporation of breath, balance, flexibility and working the core muscles produces longevity of life,” says Karen Sipes, owner of Urban Dance Company in Naples. Dance tones muscles and “helps to build some nice core strength,” adds Sybil Burt, owner of Etudes de Ballet in Naples.

But the benefits go a step beyond the physical. “It is a wonderful outlet of expression,” Johnson says, “especially for adults who are so busy living in a mechanical world where they’re getting up every day, they’re going to work, they’re taking care of the house, they’re taking care of the kids. It’s a wonderful way for them to express all the emotional energy that they experience from day to day.”

So, if pumping iron at the gym isn’t giving you the emotional or artistic outlet you’re craving, you might want to consider stepping into a studio.

CHOOSING YOUR STYLE

How do you know which class is right for you? While ballet commonly is recognized as the foundation for all other dance styles, your personality goes a long way in determining what type of dance class will give you the most satisfaction.

“It’s going to depend on the person,” says Johnson. “If the person is more gregarious, outgoing, and likes to move, I would strongly suggest something that’s more movement-oriented like a jazz class, which is contemporary.” For those that like a little slower pace, and  are “the perfectionists of the world, ballet is a wonderful class.” Tap is always a happy dance, she explains, though it requires good coordination, while hip hop is for the fun and funky personalities. If you’re still having difficulty figuring out which style you would enjoy, don’t be afraid to ask the studio to sit in on a class to help point you in the right direction.

WHAT TO WEAR

The dance style you choose will determine what clothes you should wear for class. While a specific shoe may be required, the dress code isn’t as strict for adults as it is for younger aged students. Leotards of a solid color and tights are commonly seen in a classroom, but teachers encourage their adult students to be comfortable. “They are welcome to wear regular ballet attire…or they can also wear what they will normally wear to go to the gym, yoga or a Pilates class,” explains Toshiko Tompkins, founder of Naples Academy of Ballet. “They need something that’s comfortable, gives them good freedom of movement,” agrees Burt, “but allows the teacher to see if there’s something unaligned somewhere.”

As you advance in your studies, you may find yourself ready to experiment with different, more traditional styles of clothing for the style you’ve chosen. As students “progress, belly dance fashion, including hip scarves and jewelry, often becomes part of their nightly class rituals,” explains Ansuya. “However, this is optional and the students always mix things up so as to maintain a non-pressure environment.”

GET READY

To prepare for and get the most out of a class, perform simple stretches or take a brisk walk to warm up your muscles, and avoid attending class on a full stomach. Be sure to bring a water bottle with you as well.

Most importantly, all studios recommend preparing yourself to have a lot of fun. “Adults should prepare with a positive mental attitude and leave all excuses at the door,” says Sipes. “We don’t allow our children to say ‘I can’t do it’ so we shouldn’t allow ourselves to say that either.”

So don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from walking through the front door. You never know what joy you might find waiting for you on the other side. “My suggestion is to work through the fear and come and try a class,” says Johnson. Once you experience the atmosphere, learn what the social network can become, and discover how much fun it can be, “you’ll be back,” she adds.

Ansuya agrees. “My favorite aspect of teaching belly dance is to watch my students discover a world inside my studio that they had no idea existed and, even better, a world inside themselves that had been waiting for them all their lives.”