My Journey Back to Dance and How I Created Ballates

When I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to be a ballerina. But I was “too tall” and didn't fit the “ideal” profile. But I still poured my heart into classical ballet, even though I thought I'd eventually have to switch to contemporary dance — a style I wasn't passionate about at the time (though I grew to love it later). I insisted on classical ballet for years, even putting off college to focus on it. But nothing seemed to work out.

When I finally decided to go to college, my life began to change. My mind expanded, and I explored new worlds: circus arts, theater, and eventually more contemporary dance. It was through theater that I joined a contemporary dance company, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged. But my professional life was still stuck. I was constantly injured, in pain, and without clear career prospects. At some point, I walked away from dance and focused on theater — musicals, children's theater, and even film.

One year later, I decided to pursue a postgraduate degree in dance because, let's face it, it was what I truly loved. And that decision changed everything.

A friend of mine at the time invited me to dance for her master's thesis video, and I did. That video was so good that it traveled the world, being nominated at festivals, and that reignited my passion for dance. No more than year passed and I was in Cuba training in modern dance with the National Cuban Company, followed by studying Martha Graham technique abroad, joined a company, landed a contract with the Opera House, and even won my first award/comission for choreography.

My career took off. I worked in Singapore as a guest dancer, with renowned companies and collaborated with incredible artists like Shamel Pitts and even Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. I moved to Portugal, won another awards, and felt like I was living my dream. But then, the pandemic hit, and I was once again faced with injuries, pain, and burnout.

The Turning Point: Healing My Body and Rediscovering Movement

After the pandemic, I realized I needed to take a step back. My knees were worn out, I had hip tendinitis, and I'd even suffered a second-degree ankle tear. I was exhausted — physically and emotionally. I decided to pause, move to Greece, and take time to heal. It was there, surrounded by beauty and culture, that I rediscovered my love for dance.

But this time, I knew I had to approach it differently. I focused on my health: changing my diet, supplementing wisely, and prioritizing injury prevention. I also returned to Ballates — my unique blend of Floorbarre and Pilates, with elements of Yoga, Alexander Technique, and Feldenkrais.

Ballates became my lifeline. It allowed me to rebuild strength, flexibility, and confidence without overloading my body. While a full 90-minute Floorbarre class was too much for me at the time, a 15-minute Ballates session was sustainable, sufficient and empowering.

Why Ballates?

Ballates isn't just for dancers — it's for anyone who wants to move with grace, strength, and joy. It's designed to be low-impact, accessible, and sustainable, whether you're a professional dancer, a fitness enthusiast, or someone recovering from injury. See what it can help you achieve:

✅ Builds strength without straining your joints

✅ Improves posture and flexibility

✅ Boosts confidence and body awareness

✅ Adaptable to all fitness levels

Relaunching Ballates: A New Chapter

After years of refining my practice, I'm thrilled to announce that Ballates is relaunching! This platform is for anyone who wants to move mindfully, without pressure or pain. Whether you're a former dancer, a fitness lover, or someone looking for a sustainable way to stay active, Ballates is here to guide you.

Join Me on This Journey

If my story resonates with you, I'd love for you to join me. Sign up for the Poised Paths newsletter to be the first to know about Ballates updates, exclusive tips, and more. Let's move together.