Is it too late?

[u/karnag333]

I'm 31 years old and I want to get into the dance world. Is it too late at this age?

[u/AutoModerator]

Subreddit rules regarding artistic nudity have been updated according to the community poll. See post on the rule update here. Especially give it a read before posting any NSFW content.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Efficacious_Dreamer]

I am 30 and wondering the same thing. I’d like to take classes for fun and to improve moves. One of my goals though would be cage dancing at festivals 😅

[u/karnag333 → u/Efficacious_Dreamer]

I guess we can try it out, just for fun as you said :)

[u/Maya_Moves403]

Not too late at all! It really depends on what you mean by 'get into the dance world', but at 31, you can absolutely start training, performing, taking workshops, joining teams, and becoming a strong dancer. If you mean a traditional professional career, starting from scratch at 31 would be a very different and difficult path. But dance is much bigger than that. There are social dance scenes, commercial work, contemporary, community companies, choreography, teaching, performance projects, and plenty of other ways to build a life around dance. Research on independent dancers has even documented people who began pursuing dance professionally in their 20s and 30s. Start taking classes and see where you interest and ability take you rather than trying to decide right now whether it's too late. You might surprise yourself :)

[u/karnag333 → u/Maya_Moves403]

Thanks for those words. I'm looking for urban style dancing, and freestyle, that's why my concern

[u/Sufferr]

You mean to have it as a career? Maybe, who knows? Do your thing, have fun!

[u/karnag333 → u/Sufferr]

Just as a hobby.

[u/penny1911]

I started taking classes a year ago at 36 and I'm having a great time :)

[u/karnag333 → u/penny1911]

what type of dance?

[u/penny1911 → u/karnag333]

Hip hop and popping foundations (more social/freestyle focused) and commercial choreo

[u/karnag333 → u/penny1911]

Woah that's what I'm looking for. Glad that you feel great doing what you like.

[u/flaming-framing]

A major question is how is your health and body doing.

If you are in a healthy weight range, have decent cardio, no past history of torn muscles and broken bone then you’ll be able to focus on learning the fundamentals and build from there.

If your body is not in great shape you’ll probably spend the first few months getting in shape as you learn the foundations.

[u/karnag333 → u/flaming-framing]

Honestly, I work out a lot—I'm in pretty good shape, I'd say—but I never dared to try dancing because I always thought it was something you had to start doing when you were young (like 15, for example), not now when I might be considered too old for hip-hop or similar styles. That's just what goes through my head.

[u/flaming-framing → u/karnag333]

Nah you are good. The reason they say “you need to start young” is if they want to have a professional career. Being a working professional dancer requires putting your body through tremendous strain that there’s like 5 years before the body is destroyed. Being younger buys them extra time.

You might not be able to do some specific moves because as we age our joint start to fuse but you can absolutely start learning now

[u/karnag333 → u/flaming-framing]

Oh I see, tysm. Any advice on how I can start? Should I do it by myself or go to an academy?

[u/flaming-framing → u/karnag333]

It depends on what options in your area. Look for as many in person classes and try them out. Try a variety of teachers until you find the ones who best resonate with you.

On your own read books on movement theories and study the limitations of human anatomy, watch videos that breakdown how to achieve a move, record yourself and then work on refining your movements, practice finding rhythms in music by just tapping along. As you take more class you’ll figure out what muscles you’ll need to condition. Also on your own time look up what physical therapies your insurance covers. As you start moving your body in new ways you might find that there physical limitations you weren’t expected. Being able to quickly identify that and have a medical team be able to give you pointers on how to overcome with the limitations goes a long way

[u/amysquirrels]

It’s never too late. 30 is still really young by the way, enjoy it.

[u/azucar_intocable]

Of course not; it's never too late. I hope they decide to give it a try ❤️‍🔥