In this episode, we dive into safe practices for adult ballet dancers with special guest Veronica K, a certified personal trainer, former PT assistant, and professional dancer. Join us as we explore tips for injury prevention, building strength, and maintaining flexibility, tailored specifically for adult dancers. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, Veronica shares valuable insights on how to stay safe, strong, and injury-free throughout your ballet journey. Tune in for strategies to keep dancing at your best! Find Veronica on social at @veronicakplatform and use discount code 100teacher for her next cohort instructor certification program:

Follow Veronica K:

➡️ Instagram @veronicakplatform

➡️ YouTube @VeronicaKBallet

➡️ Instructor Certification: https://www.veronicakballet.com/certification/

In today's episode, we chat with Susanne, a former yoga teacher and self-taught adult ballet dancer who brings wisdom, warmth, and kindness to our conversation. We dive into the philosophy of learning new things as an adult, explore the role of self-compassion in the pursuit of perfection, and reflect on the similarities of mastering challenging skills later in life. Whether you're a dancer, a lifelong learner, or just curious, there's something for everyone in this inspiring discussion. Enjoy! 🎧✨

This facet is the breadth of vocabulary in ballet and how we move our bodies from foot to foot across the floor and throughout space. Within this facet, we have 4 components: (1) Vocabulary - what the ballet steps are; (2) The grammar of how the steps fit together; (3) Picking combinations up quickly in class; (4) Memorizing an excerpt of choreography. In this episode, we dive into each of these facets, how adults learn these things versus how kids learn them, and what the skills are that you can seek out in order to keep progressing in your dancing.

When we are training our bodies, we must also train our minds. In the journey to advancing in ballet, our mind needs to adapt and grow as much as our bodies, if not more. Here’s the thing, without a positive and powerful mindset, we won’t be able to stick around long enough in our ballet journey to see real progress. Without an open mind, we won’t be able to experiment and try the new things that are needed to change habits and learn new patterns. And without a healthy relationship to our inner critic, we’ll just frustrate and torture ourselves until ballet isn’t fun anymore. Let’s dive into how to have fun working on the details of technique, how to enjoy ballet, and how to keep coming back for long enough to actually make meaningful progress in your dancing.

Today on the show, we're going to lay out all of the different facets of your ballet training: - Breadth, this is the dancing - The depth, this is the technique - The performing and storytelling - Personal and body strength Join Julie on this episode as we dig into the different facets of training an adult to learn ballet.

Today, let’s dive into how adults are currently taught ballet. We’ll talk about adult open programs, which are how many of us learn ballet, we’ll talk about what to even teach adults, and how to structure a program for busy adult lives.

A little preview of what to look forward to in the season, plus a strong message about the power of classical ballet to transform lives and why we should open it to more people.

Today, I’ll be giving you a sneak peek of season 2 of Broche Banter. Season 2 will be a little different format, and I’ll be directly addressing fears, anxieties, questions, and concerns that we heard from dancers in season 1.  We’ll be focusing in on the question: How good can you really get when you started ballet late? Can you learn pointe? Pirouettes? Get more flexible? Get your extensions? Perform? Learn ballets? Partner? Is it too late for me to dance?

Today on the show, I chat with Julia, a ski instructor who recently began ballet as an adult. We talk a little bit about how she finally decided to pursue ballet, first getting started following along on YouTube and then joining my online studio soon after that. We also dive into the incredible similarities between skiing and ballet and how both need an incredible amount of control over rotating our legs. The day after we recorded the episode, she reported back that she had told her other ski instructor friends about how some adults have limiting beliefs that they can’t improve their turnout or that they’re stuck with what they had, and the other instructors were legitimately confused. That’s how sure the community of ski instructors is that you can improve your turnout! You’re sure to love Julia’s optimistic outlook and incredibly unique perspective. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with India, who’s a professional ballerina and Floor Barre instructor living in France. We talk about what Floor Barre is, why we think adults should be taken seriously in their ballet education, and a little about the hierarchical system of professional ballet in France. It’s a fascinating conversation full of so many tidbits about ballet history, ballet itself, and inspiration. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Robin. She danced a little when she was young, and then returned to it as an adult, even getting en pointe for the first time as a grownup. We talk about the joy of the little wins in ballet, her experience on the board at her wonderful adult-only local ballet studio, and the interesting differences between home ballet and studio ballet. Robin has a wonderfully cerebral outlook on the ballet world that you’re sure to enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Hannah, the creator of the Wonder of Ballet blog for recreational dancers. We talk about so many topics, about how to feel like you belong in the ballet world, getting en pointe as an adult, and how we hope the world of adult and recreational ballet will continue to change and grow. Enjoy

In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to sustain a lifelong ballet practice. From finding the motivation to keeping up the discipline, dealing with injuries, and managing the inevitable breaks and plateaus, we discuss the ups and downs of progress. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, we explore how to balance priorities, grant yourself permission to evolve, and maintain a sense of purpose throughout your ballet journey. Tune in for an honest conversation about staying in it for the long run.

Today on the show, I chat with Marieke, who lives in the Netherlands and dances ballet. We talk about her winding journey as a ballet dancer, but also about mindfulness, ego, and how she has learned to quiet the judgemental mind and love to dance. I hope you love this episode as much as I do. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Veronica K, who runs an online ballet cross-training and injury prevention platform. We talk about a wide range of topics, including physical therapy, cyberbullying, and popular fake or unrealistic before/after photos. It’s an awesome conversation where we get a chance to compare notes on how we help ballet work for adult dancers and regular everyday human bodies. But, the best part is that you will get to hear Veronica’s unique perspective from her physical therapy and personal training background that she brings to the ballet world. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Kara, a Celtic singer, and musician who also shares her love of traditional Celtic arts with her many adult students. She also started ballet a few years ago and is about to get en pointe for the first time. We connect on so many levels as teachers of adult students about the notion of it being “too late” or of a person being “too old” and about expressing ourselves in the arts at any age. It’s really a touching conversation and Kara’s kind and passionate soul will absolutely encourage you to chase your dreams, whatever they may be. Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Mic, a long-time piano teacher and professional musician who recently started ballet. 2020 was a really hard year for musicians, but Mic is so happy that it gave her the opportunity to pursue her love of ballet. We connect on so many topics including why art matters, the learning process of a technical artform like ballet and piano, and why we love ballet. Her kind and warm heart will surely leave you smiling. Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Alyssa about her experiences finding her way back to ballet as an adult. She shares her love of dance and her winding journey to find a ballet studio to call home. She hopes that by sharing some of her struggles with different levels, teachers, and studio situations will help you feel less alone with challenges you might face, and help you keep pushing to find the right environment for you to blossom into the dancer of your dreams. Follow her story on Instagram @backtotheballetbarre! Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Madame Olga, a celebrity teacher in New York City and online on Instagram and her streaming service Madame Olga Television. She is known for her true Russian style of teaching, but even more so for bringing humor to the ballet studio to help dancers find their perfect 5th position through love, light, and positivity. If you haven’t experienced a class with Madame Olga, I highly recommend that you hit pause, go to Instagram.com/madameolgav or search Madame Olga on YouTube and watch a few minutes of class with her before continuing. And then, after you listen to this podcast, you should definitely dance along with one of her classes! Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Harmony, who recently achieved her goal of her first pair of pointe shoes before her upcoming 50th birthday! We talk about her absolute undying love of ballet, what it was like for her to take her very first ballet class a little over a year ago, and why she thinks anyone with dreams of ballet should just get started and hop in with us! Follow Harmony’s story on instagram @ballet_harmony. Enjoy!

This podcast episode is a little different. Many of us are re-entering lockdowns, again feeling separated from our communities, and maybe even wondering what’s the point of it all. Looking ahead at a difficult winter, wondering how we’ll make it through.  So, I wanted to take a moment, inspired by the season of giving thanks on Thanksgiving, to share my story. The last time I shared my own story on the podcast was episode 11 in June, right after I made the decision to close the studios. Since then, I’ve spent the summer healing, growing, and discovering. I have tried to write this story many times this summer. But now I am ready. The story is ready. And I think the time is right.  This episode is not a glossy highlight reel of good things. It’s messy and sad at times, but with what I think is an ending of optimism. I hope my story will give you a sense of hope in this dark time. So come along for this ride with me.  I am grateful for 2020 in all of its dumpster fire glory For helping me discover what truly matters, for helping me find my confidence, and for seriously making me a stronger person. For helping me reach my goals: New ideas, new experiences, and confidence.

Today, I chat with Tom who lives across the pond in the UK. He’s always been fascinated with ballet, but only started dancing a few years ago. Before that, he began his journey with mindfulness practice, which helped pull him out of a dark time. That led him to yoga, and finally now to ballet. He now teaches both yoga and mindfulness, and enjoys ballet for the purity of the movement, and strives to enjoy every step of the journey without getting caught up into goals. The process and living in the moment is what brings the joy. Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Patricia, the creator of Late to the Party Ballet blog and Instagram account. She started ballet 6 years ago, after doing ice hockey, hip hop, a little pole dancing, and then ballet. She cares for her son who has cerebral palsey. Her incredible breadth of life experience gives her a very unique perspective on ballet, and our conversation winds to many fascinating places, from the concept of turnout and how it relates to her son’s cerebral palsey, to anxiety, and cross training. For more from Patricia, be sure to follow her on Instagram @latetothebartyballet or check out her blog, LateToThePartyBallet.com. Enjoy!

Learning jumps as an adult has a whole host of challenges, including building strength, coordination, power, and balance required to keep up in petite and grande allegro.Join me in Facet #9 of 10 on Season 2 of the Broche Banter Podcast to talk about all the things that go into mastering this facet of ballet.Happy dancing! :)Show Notes Links: Balance Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10638445/Frappé Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxjzImd6MEs&t=476sFrappé Playlist: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/p/pKUKD4wHPower Barre: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/p/ApNZhqm1

Today, I chat with Kat all the way from Tasmania in Australia. She started ballet just a few weeks before lockdown. She’s also a writer and an illustrator, and we discuss the similarities and differences between how one learns those artistic pursuits and how she’s learning ballet. She also provides a fun look into the experience of a beginner, so whether it’s been a while since you had to think about pointing your toes, or if you still can’t remember to point them, you’ll enjoy her fresh perspective on the ballet world. Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Jamie. She’s legally blind and despite only being able to see light, dark, shapes and colors, Jamie started ballet 3 years ago after attending a magical sensory-friendly ballet performance. About 2 years before that, she had decided to grab the bull by the horns and embarked on a weight-loss journey, losing about 120 pounds. From performing in her local community, to her dreams of pointe, ballet keeps her motivated, brings her joy, and is a wonderful spark in her life. You can follow Jamie’s story on Instagram @blossoming_ballerina. Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Danielle in The Netherlands. After a magical experience watching a ballet performance as a child, she danced for several years in her youth. She stopped dancing at the age of 13, and returned to ballet at age 40 after having her second child. From ballet to the oboe to crocheting, Danielle loves to try fun new things, work hard, and persevere through challenges. Her positive and determined attitude is bound to inspire you and leave a smile on your face. Enjoy!

Today, on the show, I chat with Elizabeth from The Whole Pointe. We talk about her journey starting ballet at age 14 and getting her first professional contract at age 19. But, that didn’t come without its challenges, and we talk about her experience with disordered eating and how she has rediscovered her self-worth after spending her ballet career at the bottom of the ballet hierarchy. The conversation winds to many lovely topics, including the exciting future possibilities of the budding world of online performances. She now leads the Beyond Ballet community, which is a membership group that helps adult dancers develop positive mindsets to support their lifelong love of ballet through journaling, meditation and visualization. Enjoy!

Today, on the show, I chat with Kelsey. She started ballet during grad school after retiring from a competitive swimming career in high school and college. Much of her ballet training to date has been in classes with teenagers. We go deep about a traumatic event in Kelsey’s life that led her to be diagnosed with PTSD. This event caused her to work through perfectionism and body image challenges, and she turned to dance to express that which she had no words for. She believes mental health is a strength, not a weakness, and that every person should have access to counseling to help them grow, improve their minds, and reach their potential. Enjoy!

Today on the show, Julie chats with Jana, who is one of the two fabulous Ballerinas by Night, a staple of the YouTube and social media world of adult ballet.  We talk about the challenges we have faced through the COVID time, the mixed relationship with ballet that we and our fellow dancers have felt, and just take a minute to commiserate.  We hope that if you’re in the same boat, you’ll find some solace in the conversation, and we hope to leave you with some food for thought.  Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Rosy, a kind soul, private ballet coach for adults, and a professional dancer. Even though this was the first time we’ve met, we quickly connected over so many topics, including mental health challenges that dancers and athletes face, a little about our own mental health running our businesses, and why we both love working with adult dancers. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Lucy all the way from Belgium. We talk about her experience moving all over as a child, and how she walked into her first ballet class just 2 years ago! Just as much as she used to love the flow state of surfing as a teenager off the coast in Morocco, she loves ballet for the magic of quieting her internal chatter. Enjoy!

Today on the show, Solange and I get philosophical. We hardly talk about ballet, but we talk about life, loss, perfectionism, what it means to be happy and live a passionate life in our short time on this earth, and how to find the right environment to follow your dreams. This episode is jam packed with inspiration, wisdom, and you’ll leave with a smile on your face, ready to dance! Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Denise. Ballet has been in her heart for decades, since the age of 6. Flat feet, pigeon toes, a stroke, a horseback riding accident, and a tornado have all kept her away from the barre, until now. And she couldn’t be happier dancing the days away. Enjoy Denise’s fascinating story of how she’s finally found her way to the barre.

Learning turns as an adult is a very different process than learning as a kid. Whether you're dreaming of your first turn or working up to multiples, this episode will outline the principles of pirouettes to help you navigate the learning process.

Find my teaching Broche Ballet on YouTube and online on Zoom at brocheballet.com

Live the ballet dream and perform with with me in Miami iabf.dance

YouTube: Broche Ballet

Instagram: @julietheballerina

Instagram: @brocheballet

Instagram: @iabf_adultballetfestival

Tiktok: JulieThe Ballerina

Today on the show, I chat with Lauren, who started ballet for the first time less than a year ago. She danced in a small local studio with little kids and found us online during quarantine. We talk about turnout, getting discouraged, and being obsessed with ballet. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I interview Cody, one of the dancers who danced with us in our Denver studios. We talk about how ballet calms her mind, a little about her hyper-mobility and her experience with perfect turnout. But then we get real about quarantine and the effect it’s had on us all, and how sometimes, dancing at home is just a sad reminder of how much we miss our friends and our old life. If you’ve been struggling with this time, we help Cody’s words help you find peace. Enjoy!

Today on the show, Mai joins me all the way from Saudi Arabia to talk about her journey with ballet.

Today on the show, I talk with Jessie, a dancer who started ballet for the first time ever as an adult, about 3 years ago. We talk about her absolute love for ballet, how it has helped her build self confidence after a difficult time with post-partum depression, and how her hard work has transformed her from her tomboy teenage years struggling with pigeon toed legs to a beautiful ballerina about to get her first pair of pointe shoes. Enjoy!

Today on the show, we have Erin, who formerly danced with us in Denver before moving to London about a year ago. We talk about her struggles with ballet as a very serious teenage dancer, her return to the barre after an 8-year break, and how she finds the joy in dancing in a new body, for new reasons, and for, well, fun.  Enjoy!

Today on the show, we have Erica, an adult ballerina who is opening her own broche-inspired adult ballet studio in Rochester New York. We get philosophical, covering everything from her start with ballet as a baby ballerina, to her very long hiatus from 6th grade until after the birth of her second child, to her journey back to the barre after on a quest for ballet technique, and most importantly, self-fulfillment. Enjoy!

Today on the show, we have Casey, a late-starter who has found her place in the dance world as a ballet dancer, teacher, and aerial performer. Listen to her story of how she got her start, forged her path, and pushed through her insecurities to become the beautiful butterfly that she is today. Enjoy!

Today on the show, we have Jackie, our very own podcast editor and a Broche dancer and instructor! On this episode, we talk about the community of ballet, why we love dance, and Jackie’s journey to becoming a teacher. Enjoy!

Today on the show, one of our dancers, Bree, interviews me (Julie) about my story with adult ballet. We talk about how I started ballet, how I started teaching, moved to Denver, opened Broche Ballet, and closed our doors after the coronavirus. Enjoy!

Today, we have Natalie Danza, a leader of the adult ballet community online. On this episode, we talk about her journey with ballet, from studying at a conservatory, to becoming a professional latin dancer, to finding herself in a holistic and healthy way. Enjoy! On this episode, we talk about her journey with ballet, from studying at a conservatory, to becoming a professional latin dancer, to finding herself in a holistic and healthy way.  Enjoy!

We dive into questions ranging from curious about pointe to serious about pointe for adults. Everything from how long it takes to go en pointe, what it takes to be successful en pointe, does it hurt, and more. Join me to get ready for pointe in my Journey to Pointe for Adults program.

*NOTE: Please don't purchase pointe shoes without approval from an instructor and supervised instruction.

Broche Ballet Youtube Channel video on Pointing Toes mentioned in the episode: https://youtu.be/i-9DK9HR06w

Free Instagram VIdeo & Photo Guide for Going en Pointe: https://www.instagram.com/brocheballet/guide/pointe-for-adults/17869002803616966/

YouTube: Broche Ballet

Instagram: @julietheballerina

Instagram: @brocheballet

Instagram: @iabf_adultballetfestival

Tiktok: JulieThe Ballerina

Today on the show we have Kristen, a writer, quilter, and dancer who started ballet as a grownup. On this episode, we talk about having kids and finding time for yourself, the power of being ok with being a beginner, and her journey from student to teacher. Enjoy!

Today on the show we have Kaitlynne, a 27-year-old who works in construction/mining software and started ballet about 4 years ago. On this episode, we talk about performing, developing confidence in the studio, and the mental clarity that comes with ballet class. Enjoy!

Today on Broche Banter, we have JoJo — a former competitive cheerleader who took up ballet as an adult. Shortly after she began the Adult Ballet Collective, a popular free collection of resources for adult dancers, just like us. On this episode, we talk about the obsession and love of ballet, progress, and her journey with the Adult Ballet Collective. Enjoy!

Today on Broche Banter, we have Elyse — a dancer in her mid-30s who works in the education field. We talk about her goal-setting prowess, overwhelm, and the reinforcement loop of ballet. Enjoy!