60-minute adult ballet stretch class in Gangnam: Bliss Ballet Academy

Why adult ballet near Gangnam Station for a hunched back?

I went to try ballet again after a long while, both to loosen up my body and to work on my posture! Lately I've been staring at my computer and phone so much that my back kept feeling more and more hunched and my whole posture felt like it was collapsing.

Every time I caught myself in the mirror, my shoulders were rolled forward and I looked so slouched that it really started to bother me. While thinking about what kind of exercise could help me build a straighter, more upright line, ballet was the first thing that came to mind.

I'd taken a few lessons very briefly a long time ago, so going back after all these years had me feeling a little nervous and excited even before the class started haha.

The place I visited is Bliss Ballet Academy, well known by word of mouth as a top spot for adult ballet near Gangnam Station! It's located in Seocho-dong close to Gangnam Station, so it was really easy to find.

What is Bliss Ballet Academy's studio and changing room like?

Bliss Ballet Academy has a practice room with full-length mirrors and a barre, soft lighting, and a changing room with plenty of lockers. The moment I stepped through the entrance, the atmosphere was so much cozier and more comfortable than I expected that I felt myself relax right away haha.

The clean interior with neatly arranged mirrors and barre, plus the soft lighting, gave the whole studio a really pretty feel ><!

Heading toward the changing room, I found plenty of tidy lockers, so I could change comfortably.

Bliss Ballet Academy timetable and promotions board

On the wall there was a promotions board and a class timetable, with plenty of solid perks like a discount for writing a review, extra benefits for same-day registration, and a referral event, so I took a good look haha.

The timetable was really well organized, running from toddler and elementary classes all the way through adult classes, so it looked easy to pick out a time slot that fits your schedule!

What the 60-minute Ballet Stretch Basics class covers

What I took at Bliss Ballet Academy was the morning Ballet Stretch class, a 60-minute session. It's a basics class that builds up the fundamentals step by step, so it felt totally manageable even for a beginner.

I took the Ballet Stretch class held in the morning session! Since it had been so long, I worried it might be too difficult, but thankfully it's a basic class that builds foundations gradually, so I could take part with an easy mind.

Warm-up stretching and plank core work

The 60-minute class began with warm-up stretching. To loosen the body, we did basic split stretches with legs spread wide, then lay on the mat to do strengthening exercises that firm up the inner thigh muscles.

On top of that, we did thorough core work in plank position to fire up the abs, and I could already feel my whole body heating up haha.

Basic ballet moves: plié, sous-sus and en bas

Once our bodies were sufficiently warmed up, we moved on to actual ballet steps one by one, set to elegant, soft classical music!

We practiced the classic basic moves in order, starting with plié, then sous-sus, which brings the feet neatly together, and en bas, which rounds the arms downward.

The teacher explained the key points of each move in a really simple, approachable way, so it was easy to follow along! Trying to pay attention to every fingertip and toe while keeping my balance kept me so focused that the time flew by and it was honestly so much fun haha.

Finishing the class with jumps

The 60 minutes felt completely packed with content! At the end of class we learned jumps set to upbeat music, and hopping up into the air again after so long instantly swept away my stress and lifted my mood! With a bit of sweat breaking out and my whole body's circulation feeling wide open, it was such a fun way to finish haha.

Posture after class and next-day muscle soreness

When I checked the mirror right after class, my once-hunched back had opened up so noticeably, with my shoulders squared back, that I honestly felt like I'd grown 2 cm taller haha. And sure enough, the next day, muscles I hadn't used in a while made themselves known — a satisfying, tingly soreness settled into my back and inner thigh muscles! It made me feel proud, like I'd really done a proper workout haha.

It's a little disappointing that I couldn't take detailed photos of myself mid-move since other students were in class with me, but even so, it was such a satisfying time waking up every cell in my body and working toward a straighter posture after so long.

If you're looking for good ballet near Seocho-dong or Gangnam Station, I'd recommend heading to Bliss Ballet Academy, a go-to spot for adult ballet near Gangnam Station, and trying out the Ballet Stretch class! I'm planning to go back soon and properly commit to learning ballet again haha. I really think it's fantastic both for posture correction and for lifting your mood!