Benefits of Ballet Based Exercise for Older Learners

As we age, exercise can feel more difficult to fit into our lives.  We think our bodies don’t work quite as well as they used to, the twinges seem more twingier, and those muscles seem a little bit stiffer than they used to…

We all know we should exercise – but finding exercise as an older person that fills you with joy is a tough ask at times.

That’s where ballet can help.

Recent research from The Queensland University of Technology researched ballet classes for seniors and found that participants in ballet classes “experienced higher energy levels, greater flexibility, improved posture, and an enhanced sense of achievement.”

But the advantages aren’t just physical “They also felt happier and enjoyed a sense of community and friendship… ballet participation may contribute to positive outcomes across various health and wellbeing categories and promotes a general feeling of wellbeing.”

Ballet classes can inspire us with the beautiful movement and music and help maintain cognitive function.  A study published in Psychology Today found “The holding of the pattern, taking in that information and then getting yourself going with the music, and even remembering what’s the first step” (p. 4) required particular concentration.

Plus there is a social side to learning to dance. A study titled Dancing while Aging found seniors learning ballet “improved their physical and mental wellness, helping them have a more positive experience of age-related changes. Results showed that most women regard ballet as a very social activity”