Ballet Readiness Brief: The Right Equipment - By: Art Gib

By equipment, one should not think of just shoes, leotards or whatever piece of fabric labeled ballet on it. The "equipment" stated is also analogous to the equipment upstairs, the readiness campaign in your mind. And for the beginner, being ready also means being open minded and dispelling that pre-nervousness that can happen.

So for those who take ballet, who are professional, either in performing or teaching, this brief may not be of value. But for those who are just thinking about getting into it, either man or woman, girl or boy, then this may help make their mind rest a little easier with a few thoughtful pointers, and yes even some basic gear questions, from what's best, long sleeve, tank or short sleeve leotards, or at what time should I buy pointe shoes?

To prepare yourself mentally is to know where you are going, what is needed out of you and maybe what sort of drills you are going to do. First off you will want to know what to bring to class. Depending on the class the instructor may have certain dress requirements.

For the most part, instructors do not normally allow anything too extreme when first embarking on the beginning classes. There are usually no tutus or suggestive leotard fashions. So aside from any special requests, the first timer will probably be required to bring a leotard, tights and shoes combination.

To begin, the leotard will be something modest, probably some form of short sleeve leotard or tank. Short-sleeve leotards are probably the most versatile and ubiquitous across ballet studios in the U.S.

Tights are important to you as far as comfort. Going cheap on tights may be not worth it in the end. Get a pair that has good elastic in the waist and a pair that are not too tight is ideal. Most instructors want their beginning students to buy pink skin-colored tights. For boys, beginning classes sometimes suggest just wearing shorts or black tights and, again, a short sleeve leotard.

Shoes are a mild topic of debate. But for the most part it is unanimous to say that buying regular flat ballet shoes are a must and that pointe shoes should be a saved purchase down the line when the feet, body and mind are properly conditioned. This can take several years of training.

Note: pointe shoes are for dancing en pointe, which means basically what you are probably thinking -- dancing on the tips of your toes. Specialty shoes are made for this type of ballet step and you will probably be making an expensive purchase for something you won't use for a while. And possibly by the time you do reach the level to dance en pointe, your experience may make you pickier in what brand of shoe you want to buy.

Also, skirts are common and are usually suggested by the instructor for women.

Some notes on finding a class. The instructor's lesson and teaching demeanor is everything. You will want to maybe take some time to look locally for a teacher, and observe a class that in session before you go. Talking to the teacher and watching the instruction will ease the mind best before your first day.

About the Author

Short sleeve leotards are garments most worn by ballet performers, figure skaters, and gymnasts. Allegro Wear (http://www.allegrowear.com/short-sleeve-leotard.html) specializes in providing dancewear for those in any performing arts and dance. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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