Might this be a familiar feeling? You’ve booked a ballet workshop, prepared for it, overcome physical and emotional challenges, and pushed yourself beyond what you thought possible. Then, the final day arrives. The music, the studio or stage, the other dancers—everything falls into place. You’re excited, maybe also tired, but the adrenaline carries you through, right up to those last-minute adjustments and finally, the performance.
You take your bow, breathing heavily, knowing what you’ve achieved. You might feel great joy. But what sometimes follows can be unexpected—a sort of hollow sensation, as though after all the excitement, you’re left feeling a bit low, or with a strange sense of emptiness. If this resonates, you're not alone.
Our 2024 Berlin Ballet Retreat
Our 2024 Berlin ballet retreat was something truly special again. We had many new dancers who brought a different energy to the group. The Paquita divertissement challenged everyone, but it also brought a deep sense of accomplishment. Some of you mentioned that when you felt exhausted towards the end of the piece, the music and your fellow dancers helped you find that last burst of strength to finish.
As the retreat came to a close, I noticed something familiar among some of you—a certain sadness, or perhaps a sense of feeling lost. It’s a feeling I know all too well from my own professional career. I’d often long for a performance to be over, especially when the pressure became almost unbearable. But when it finally ended, instead of joy or relief, I’d often find myself sinking into a deep void.
The Psychology of Post-Ballet Blues
Psychologically, it makes sense. For weeks, maybe months, your mind has been consumed by this single event, and now it’s over. It can feel a bit like grief—something you’ve invested so much in has ended, leaving a space that needs filling. It can even feel like an addiction. Sure, we can set new goals to fill that gap, but it’s no surprise that many professional performers and athletes struggle with depression or even addictions. After all, what could possibly compare to the high of performing in front of thousands of people or winning an Olympic medal?
On an everyday level, we often experience this after the holidays or other big events—once the rush fades, there’s a natural drop.
The Role of Dopamine in Post-Ballet Blues
During the retreat, dopamine was working hard for you. It’s the chemical that gives you the drive to keep going, pushing you when you’re tired and rewarding you when you hit your goals. But when the event ends, your dopamine levels drop, and this can leave you feeling flat for a while until you adjust back to your normal state.
What Can We Do?
Whether you joined us in Berlin or were cheering us on from afar, know that these feelings are part of the dance journey.
Here are some suggestions to help with the post-ballet blues:
Remind yourself that how you feel is normal and a testament to your passion.
Take time to rest.
Talk to your ballet buddies.
Acknowledge what you’ve just achieved.
Treat yourself to some comfort food.
Book your next ballet workshop!
If you’re struggling for a long time, whether it is related to ballet or other parts of your life, please reach out. We can discuss how I might be able to help.
In Their Own Words: Experiences from Our Dancers
Katrin from Sweden and the UK:
"Many thanks again for the wonderful retreat and for encouraging me to attend 🙂.
It was a wonderful group of ladies and you made it such a great experience. I admit that it was quite tough, both physically and mentally, but I'm so glad I decided to attend. When we did the last performance, it was like a release of energy and happiness that felt amazing."
Katja from Finnland:
"Berlin Ballet retreat was a wonderful experience. Franziska has such a profound, holistic understanding of the human body and of the art of ballet, and her way of teaching is quite unique. Even when the body was a bit sore and tired, the morning barre work did magic, and I loved to learn the Paquita repertoire. It was quite a miracle we did it in five days! The group of dancers was so loving and supporting, and it was just sheer joy to dance together."
Anne-Katrin from Germany:
"I already had joined the Berlin Ballet Retreat last year. This was a very impressive experience for me as an adult ballet beginner and I was a little concerned if it is possible to repeat this emotional journey.
These concerns were totally unnecessary. From the moment I arrived at the ballet studio, it felt like it was just yesterday that I had been here for the last time.
Different to other ballet workshops it was clear on which variation we would work. As usual, Franziska offered her very helpful pre-study video as well as the masterclasses in which she taught the trickiest steps. So I could prepare for the retreat in a good way.
Franziska created a great atmosphere. She offered a video get-together a few days before the retreat. During the retreat, she explained patiently and repeated a lot. As many of us did not know each other or at least had not danced together before Franziska had to arrange (and rearrange) a group of 20 (?) women, especially during the first day to reach synchronicity. The result was spectacular for a group of amateur dancers. The mood in the group was warm and supportive.
One day after class we had a guided tour of the Berlin State Opera where Franziska danced in the 1990‘s. Our guide even remembered her dancing the doll in The Nutcracker where he carried her on and off stage. This was a great surprise for all of us, especially for Franziska!
On our last afternoon, Franziska and her lovely mum invited us to her mum's Schrebergarten where we could eat, drink and chat and get to know the beautiful garden colony.
All these big and little things show what makes Holistic Ballet so holistic!
Thank you so much Franziska for putting so much ideas, time, thoughts, energy and your heart and soul into the preparation and implementation of the retreat.
I am looking forward to next year!"
Corinne from France:
"I really enjoyed this Ballet Retreat in Berlin, I discovered a group of endearing and very motivated people,
I really liked the atmosphere and your classes, thanks a lot for your explanations which are so important for improvements.
Herbert was missing to finalize our performance 😻
Say Hello to your mother who welcomed us so well.
I hope to be there for the next time."
Elizabeth from the UK:
"This was my first Berlin retreat, and despite having taken regular classes with Franziska for a year, I was incredibly nervous before it started. That changed with the first pliés of the first morning class, when I realised I was in familiar territory with some wonderful people, and I could just be myself.
It's an incredibly challenging five days physically, mentally and emotionally, but throughout I felt supported not just by Franziska but the entire group. It's no exaggeration to say it made me fall in love with ballet all over again!
After performing the Grand Pas Classique one last time on the final day, I found myself not wanting to leave the studio. I can't wait for next year already."
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