Miss Inês’ Ballet Bag
You all know me as a Ballet teacher but, in fact, I am an adult ballet student as well. I take classes regularly at the Royal Academy of Dance in London in order to keep improving my technique and, most of all, doing the activity that makes me the happiest: dancing! Learning as a student brings me many other benefits as a teacher, such as knowing exactly what it feels like to be in the (ballet) shoes of my students. I am familiar with the joy, the pain, the frustration, the passion, the tiredness that you all might feel in your personal ballet journeys.
When I go to my Advanced class, I make sure to never ever forget anything I might possibly (even remotely) need. You are free to use this checklist as a guide for your own class preparation. However, note that these are items that work for me, but might not suit you at all. I started my Ballet journey 20 years ago (I know) and it took me a while to get just the right ones for me! I am not being sponsored by the brands I mention in this text.
Leotard, skirt and tights
Never underestimate the power that comes with the right uniform. It makes me feel organized, ready to jump and pirouette! I love taking my STUDIO B x Ballet Rosa Female Uniform, which I always wash by hand, or the RAD official garments. When it comes to tights, I always take an extra pair in case a naughty hole happens. I prefer reversible tights (with a hole under the foot) so I can roll them up to prepare for pointe work! For dancers that do not identify themselves as female, shorts/leggings and tight t-shirts are the way to go! Check the STUDIO B x Ballet Rosa Male Uniform or contact me directly for such items.
Ballet shoes, soft blocks and pointe shoes
In my classes at the RAD, I alternate between the canva split-sole ballet shoes by Capezio and the soft blocks by Freed of London (these look like pointe shoes but they are not!) so I always take them both.
My pointe shoes are a must-take for these classes. I have been using Gaynor Minden Extraflex Sculpted with a 3+ box. This may sound confusing for some of you, but there are so many different types and formats of pointe shoes…! These are the ones I have been enjoying the most so far, but every foot is different and you should always ask for your teacher’s help before making any decisions.
I take my silicone pads to give me some cushioning around my toes. I have had mine for years and years, I don’t even know their brand! Also, I take my Grishko silica bags to put inside my shoes after class. It helps to dry them from the inside to prevent any bad smell.
Dancers that do not do pointe work have it much easier: ballet shoes are perfect, either matching the colour of their tights or in neutral colours such as white or black over bare feet or socks.
Hair accessories
I would never consider doing a class myself without a neat hairstyle. Because I have long hair, a ballet bun keeps all hairs off my face when leaping and turning across the floor. Can you imagine the Black Swan doing 32 fouettés with their hair all over the place? I take my STUDIO B Perfect Buns kit with my comb, elastics, millions of pins and nets and some bobby pins. To do my bun, I normally use one elastic for the ponytail, one net, 8-12 U-shaped pins around the bun and 3 or 4 little bobby pins to get any little hairs that are still sticking out. I am also a big fan of the Ballerina Bun Pink Wand my PeachyGirls - it looks like an eye mascara but it’s actually a liquid that secures my baby hairs in place!
If you need some ballet bun tips, check my Instagram video here.
Feet accessories
Our feet need a lot of love, especially if we are dancing ballet. I always take my resistance band by Bodile to do my feet strengthening exercises as a warm-up before pointe class. Massage balls and rolls are a must for my tired sore feet after class!
wATER BOTTLE, food AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Drinking water regularly in class is vital to keep our hydration levels. I never forget my glass and bamboo bottle, which I refill as needed during long rehearsal days. Food is absolutely essential in my bag. Fruit, dried fruit, vegan yoghurt, oat biscuits are some quick and healthy snacks to keep my pliés going! I also take a little bag by Mundo Bailarinístico where I take some wipes, deodorant, tissues and band-aids.
Every dancer’s bag is different, but they all have something in common: they are FULL of all our favourite objects and we carry them to our happiest moments!
