I started ballet at 28. No dance background. No flexibility. Just a weird pull toward something I'd always admired from a distance.

Three years later, I coach adult beginners full-time. Here's what I've learned:

1. You don't need to be flexible to start. Flexibility comes FROM ballet. Not before it. Every single student I've coached has dramatically improved their range of motion within 8 weeks.

2. Your body is not "wrong" for ballet. Ballet was designed for a specific body type 400 years ago. Modern technique has evolved. Your body learns movement patterns — that's universal.

3. Group classes move too fast for real beginners. You end up mimicking shapes without understanding the mechanics. 1-on-1 coaching lets you actually build the foundation right.

4. The mental benefits hit before the physical ones. Focus, body awareness, stress relief — most students notice these within the first two weeks, long before they nail their first clean relevé.

5. Consistency beats intensity. 20 minutes of focused practice 4x a week will outperform a single 2-hour session every time.

If you've been thinking about trying ballet, stop thinking and start. The best time to start was years ago. The second best time is now.