Dance-based classes online UPDATE

First, a warning: dance and exercise classes online have mushroomed since we’ve gone into lockdown, and that means many classes are offered by bona fide, qualified teachers but many, too, by unqualified and sometimes not hugely competent people.

So, here are a few pieces of advice to make sure you get the best out of your exercise at home with online guidance.

1. It’s worth doing a little research to find a teacher/instructor with reputable qualifications: many individual dance teachers will now be posting their qualifications and experience on their social media pages, as they advertise their classes.

2. Any good exercise class starts with a slow warm-up of the various parts of the body. If the class you’re attempting starts with strenuous exercise, drop it.

3. See how comfortable you feel with the exercises you’re asked to do. Not all types of exercise suit everybody. If you’re not comfortable, try something else. Effort is good, strain and pain are not.

That said, we’re listing below a small selection of reputable dance-based exercise classes for all ages and levels of ability. All are free to access.

*** NEW: National Dance Company of Wales Company Class to watch or take part in
Friday, 17 April at 11:00 and available on iPlayer afterwards
The class is taught by Angela Towler, former Rehearsal Director for Rambert Dance Company, and is being streamed by the BBC as part of its Culture in Quarantine programme.
You can access it free here

Royal Ballet Principal FRANCESCA HAYWARD's Workout:
A ballet-based workout at general level devised by Francesca Hayward in collaboration with British Vogue. Available now on Instagram

ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE (RAD) - RAD@Home
Aimed at the over-55s, this programme follows on from the RAD’s regular Silver Swans classes, and helps to improve mobility, posture, co-ordination, as well as boosting energy levels, in manageable bitesize videos. It's a favourite of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

This weekly series airs on the RAD’s social media channels – YouTube, Facebook and IGTV – every Wednesday for nine weeks, from 1 April. Silver Swan details here.

RAD@Home also offers ballet classes taught by RAD teacher Sarah Platt. No barre required – a chair or the kitchen counter will do just as well. Every Wednesday from 1 April – details here.

SADLER’S WELLS FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Family Fridays: targeting two- to six-year-olds, these workshops, created by Cherie Coleman, offer a range of activities including balancing, jumping, rhythm, colours and animals to follow at home. Available from 1 April – details here.



Company of Elders rehearsing with Po-Cheng Tsai from B. Dance. Photo: Emma Bellerby

Company of Elders Programme: Workshops for the over-60s led each week by a different international artist, including Clara Andermatt and Alessandra Seutin. The first workshop, led by bharatanatyam dancer Seeta Patel, is now online.
Available every Wednesday from 1 April – details here.

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET – ENB AT HOME
ENB at home offers online classes tailored to different levels. This week (starting 1 April) there’s a 30-minute bootcamp with English National Ballet’s strength and conditioning coach, Ben Dixon, on Instagram Live, on Thursday, 2 April, and a beginners/ improvers ballet class aimed at those with a basic knowledge of ballet on Friday 3 April, at 11am.

In addition, ENB artistic director Tamara Rojo teaches a regular advanced/professional class online every weekday at 11am.

Other classes will be added. Consult the website for details

NEW ADVENTURES BALLET CLASS
Sir Matthew Bourne's New Adventures company has a series of company classes available on its New Adventures Instagram page.