New!! Lots O Questions..

[WeeBitCeltic]

Hello Everyone!!
Just want to introduce myself and ask some questions. I am completely new to Irish Dancing and I do not go to classes yet. I was actually researching classes for my daughter, (whom is only 1).. but wanted to see what age wee ones can start. I got interested in it for myself and now I am debating between two schools in the area. One is 15 miles away and one is 30 miles away. The one that is 30 miles away supposedly has a good adult group, so we'll see. That's a lot of gas $$ if I go twice a week!

Anyway, I am 22 and.. REALLLLY out of shape. This is what makes me the most nervous. If I am put in a class with 15 year olds I am going to stick out like a sore thumb. I don't want to be made fun of!! I've been watching videos at home and practicing some simple steps. I worked up a good sweat in 5 minutes and I am really addicted now. I think this will be really good for me to get out of the house and become active & fit.

Here are my questions!! I need to get some shoes, and the schools websites say for your first few lessons wear ballet slippers instead of soft shoes. I don't have ballet slippers so which kind should I get? It seems kind of silly to go out and buy 2 pairs of shoes. Would it be wrong if I just got the proper soft shoes and save myself the money?
Also, what do you all generally wear to class? My legs are too fat for shorts right now, lol.

Thanks for any advice!

[Shamrocksthename]

If I were you I would just go ahead and buy some proper soft shoes. The sooner you start breaking them in the better because it will take a little while to break them in, depending on what kind you get. I would recommend the classic Antonio Pacelli's, there a really good beginner shoe. And I usually wear shorts and a t-shirt to dance, if its cold I wear sweat pants.
Hope this helps!

[treblequeen07]

o kids normaly start around the age of 4 or 5 but i started when i was like 8. and i think you should definately just go ahed and buy some soft shoes (if your 22 your prob aren't growing anymore so they will last you a long time)!! and if you don't feel cofortable in shorts try capris!! hope that helps!!

[reelbigmouth]

You can buy soft shoes for your first class, that's fine.
Here are some websites for shoes

http://.corrsirishshoes.com/
http://.fayshoes.com/
http://.rutherfordshoes.com/

And if you would rather not show off your legs you can wera leggings or tights under your shorts. You could wear sweatpants as long as they aren't so long that they will cause you to trip!
Good luck!

[KatieBelle]

oh so my teacher doesnt let us wear capris or long shorts becuz they need to see our legs but i dont know about youre teacher but so we can wear shorts with leggings is what most of my freinds do and it works because they are tight fitting so i hope that might help.

if you are not sure if you are going to stick with irish dancing you might not want to buy soft shoes already. plus you really only need them if you compete. so i would maybe get ballet slippers instead. capezio is pretty good.

[gemma]

Buy proper dance shoes because if you haven't danced before they will feel kinda weird on your feet and the sooner you start wearing them the sooner you'll get used to them

I wouldn't worry about dancing with younger girls.
I'm nearly 24 and have been doing it for years.
I have a 5 year old daughter who has just started dancing, well I'm trying to get her to dance she's quite good but very stubborn.
Wait til your child gets a bit older maybe 4 or so and don't force her into it they will decide themselves whether they want to dance

Good luck XxXxXx

[Sweetpea]

First of all - well done! I take my hat off to anyone who starts dancing as an adult. I'm a lot older than you, and have been dancing for twelve years now. I did compete in the beginning, but then the whole thing became very competitive and I felt a bit "mutton-dressed-as-lamb" since there wasn't a category for us anymore. But I will never stop dancing for fun! We have a big adult class, and our teacher doesn't mind the adults wearing tracksuit pants when it's cold (the kids aren't allowed, though). In summer I wear board shorts and a t-shirt. I'd get the soft shoes if I were you, as there's no point buying two pairs, like you said.
The youngest little dancer in our school is four - I wonder if they have the co-ordination necessary until they're three or so?
Good luck, and happy dancing!

[luv2jig]

Welcome to the world of Irish dancing! It gets crazy at times but if you keep your head about you then you will have nothing but fun. The advice already given is really good...so I'll just say good luck and let us know how your lessons go

Hey there!
Good on you for starting Irish Dancing - you'll love it! I wouldn't worry about learning with the younger dancers, they'll probably be impressed that you're having a go at your age ! I started at 23 and am still dancing - I'm 38 now & learn with the younger dancers as my teacher only runs 1 adult class a week (I do 2 a week). I also compete - in Senior Ladies at UK feiseanna, against other adults if I go to mainland Europe.
As for shoes - I'd say definatley buy a new pair of your own, your feet are the most important thing and second hand just don't give enough support. The sites Reelbigmouth suggested are a great place to start - I tried on a pair of Corr's Champion Split sole shoes at a feis recently, they were a lovely shoe - great support & sooo comfy (I think they're also having a sale too!).
As for stuff to wear at class - me I wear shorts & a t-shirt (easier to move, and I'm not exactly small myself), but some of the other adults wear leggings & a t-shirt, or a skirt over leggings + t-shirt, you could even use tracksuit bottoms (prefferably form fitting ones, not loose types).
As for your daughter - the youngest pupil I ever met was 3 when she first started class- she looked soooo cute trying to do her 123's!
All the best of luck - keep us all up to date on your first class won't you? Hope you have a blast - I'm sure you will

[reelgatorstreble]

I'm 22 and I dance in the adults class. I wear black capri legging things- they are tight and stop at my knees. I would definitely go get a pair of soft shoes, as ballet slippers are not the same thing. Rutherford sells a really simple pair that is fairly inexpensive and great for beginners.

I love Irish dance- it's just a wonderful thing to do for your self esteem and it's something fun to work at and be proud of- there's nothing like it.