Join professional dancer and teacher Ana Bolt at the North Miami Arts Collective for a four week session of adult ballet. Yes, adult ballet! No matter how old one claims to be, adults can learn new tricks and new movements that are good for the body and soul.

Ana Bolt. Photo by Neil de la Flor

Ballet is as difficult as it looks, no joke! But, ballet is not impossible to learn, even for adults, under the careful eyes and nurturing hands of Ana Bolt. Bolt, who began developing her teaching techniques at the age of 17, uses her experiences as a dancer, teacher and community service advocate to create a comfort zone for those who want to learn ballet without pressure or judgement.

Bolt utilizes basic ballet barre and center work to make this dance accessible and enjoyable for participants. Students will learn proper form and alignment using Pilates exercises to build strength and then guide students through combinations designed to improve flexibility and range of motion. The best thing about this course is that it will help boost stamina.

Ballet is an incredible workout. I took my nephew to a ballet class at the Arsht Center a few years ago. I got sucked into the workshop and discovered that ballet is one of the most demanding workouts I’ve ever experienced. It also taught me about losing control over how others perceive me in unscripted situation. And this was a class for children!

Ballet forces us to center of ourselves. It guides us to that place of stillness where all stable movements come from. Even though the center is a difficult place to find for some — and this can be an exhausting process — it’s worth the trip. When we find our center, we find that our bodies open up to range of movements and possibilities that once seemed impossible. This is a magical experience that takes an expert like Ana Bolt to help us find.

This foundational class exploring the heart and soul of ballet starts Thursday, October 25, 8-9:30 p.m. Tuition is $56 on the first day of class for the full four-week session (10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15) or $17 per class with pay as you go. To reserve a spot, email [email protected]. Classes will be held at the North Miami Arts Collective and Dancewear Gallery, 845 NE 125th St., North Miami; 305-892-9961; www.NorthMiamiArts.com.