Ballet Body by Jasmin

I am honored to be Jasmin’s first review.
Although normally I would consider it premature to write a review after one experience, Jasmin’s class was so fantastic in fitting my needs that I felt compelled to do so.
I am at the age where I am no longer considered young, but definitely not ready to be labelled as old (44 to be exact). I took up ballet as an adult in my late thirties, and learned how to do my first split at 40. Women who are in my demographic (and younger) need to know one thing if you are seeking and craving the lines and grace of a dancer: IT’S A HARD AND FRUSTRATING PROCESS. It takes years. It takes commitment. And it takes a good instructor. That’s where Jasmin comes in.
She knows her stuff. I’ve had some great teachers, but they are all in S.F., and frankly I’m just tired of taking that nasty BART train to the city every week. That’s the one thing I can now say I’m too old for. But finding Jasmin is a salvation. After trying another local dance studio for many weeks with a teacher who only cared for the clique student clientele she had already built, I almost gave up on continuing my dance education.
Yes, I do take yoga, pilates, and barre classes, but none of these will make you a dancer. They are meant to be complements to your main instruction. Jasmin’s class is the main instruction. She corrects your form. She will be strict about it. And if that frustrates you then she is doing her job. And don’t expect to dance until you have attained some degree of competence at the basics. Which means, like me, you may be at the barre for a couple of years before you are allowed to put even one socked foot in the middle of the dance floor (actually, I don’t think this is true of Jasmin’s class, but no one looks to good in the center without good form).
The best teachers are ones you want to punch in the face when you think you can’t stretch a little more, turn out a little more, hold a position a little more… if you are really looking to improve or learn ballet for the first or second time, then you should expect this frustration when you go to class if you want to get better. Jasmin will make you better without making you want to punch her in the face (but only because it would make you feel guilty to mess with that adorable face)!