Is Ballet Good Exercise When Travelling?

Posted by Rachel on Oct 30, 2011 in All, All, Ballet, Exercise, Slider, Travel | 0 comments

My dreams of being in Swan Lake or The Nutcracker are sadly over but I’ve recently discovered how good ballet is for fitness and flexibility. After years of mainly doing cardio exercise I have become incredibly inflexible. I’ve never been extremely bendy but now I find it a challenge just to sit on the floor, my legs out in front of me, without anything to support my back. Not to mention that jobs involving sitting at a desk using a computer for long periods of time have left my posture in a less than desirable state. However, ballet has come to my rescue and it’s a lot of fun. You can read some hilarious accounts of starting ballet when you’re an adult over at Adult Beginner.

I started taking ballet lessons at the beginning of this year. Having previously only taken ballet classes from the age of about 8 to 11 I was, and still am, just a beginner. The little I can remember from all of those years ago, I simply can’t make my body do anymore. It can be frustrating but it also keeps my interest. It’s exercise without really realising I’m excercising. Also, I have no intention of taking it seriously, it really is just a fun way to keep fit.

At the moment, while I’m living here in South Korea,  I take classes three times a week. Obviously going to classes is the perfect way to learn and improve. Having a teacher to correct all of your mistakes and come up with steps and routines is great. However, when I move on and start travelling I won’t have the luxury of being able to attend ballet classes. Even so, I don’t intend to give up. I think simple ballet exercises can be done on your own and you will still benefit from increased flexibility and strength. I will use what I have learnt in class and resources on the internet, such as these ballet exercises to do at home, to carry on with ballet on my travels. Also, all you need are some ballet shoes, which don’t take up much room in your bag.

So, to answer the question ‘Is ballet good exercise when travelling?’ I would say yes. It can be a great form of exercise. You will strengthen your body and improve your posture and flexibility. All of which you will benefit from when on the road.

Video Lesson – Basic Ballet Positions for the Arms

This Lean Journey is a travel and fitness blog written by a girl embarking on a journey around the world while still trying to stay fit and healthy. I hope you’ll enjoy my experiences and tips, and maybe even add your own comments and advice.