'Silver Swans' master pirouettes and plies in unique ballet class

The Silver Swans group are learning ballet at EV Dance Studios in Hamilton as part of a 55+ program to get their bodies moving, and participant Ruth Idstein, 67, says she's never felt better.

"I had plantar fasciitis in one foot and I've found since doing ballet it has strengthened my leg muscles," she said.

The Novocastrian said she had always wanted to learn ballet and in just nine weeks of classes she had learned "so much".

"It's hard work because it's not just what I think as moving to beautiful music. There are techniques we have to learn an retrain our bodies," she said.

"We learn how you hold your arms, your hips and your knees and it's helped in reducing weakness."

Dancer Alison Anderson, 65, has been coming to the Silver Swans program for two years and said she enjoyed moving to the music.

"I had a lot of time as a dance mum and dance grandma and I thought I'd like to give it a go myself. I really enjoy being able to move to the music, it's very meditative for me," she said.

"I don't think of anything else, I'm just in my body and moving to the music."

Ms Anderson said it was challenging getting the balance and coordination in the beginning, but she could see the difference it had made to her mobility.

"It's really rewarding and the other highlight is I've made new friends," she said.

The ladies encouraged others to come along and give ballet a try.

"It's a very welcoming space, you don't need a super leotard or tutu, we're just wearing t-shirts and shorts," Ms Idstein said.

"It's a very encouraging space and nobody's judging anybody, and you can just be at any level and still belong," Ms Anderson said.

The classes are also accompanied by live piano, playing everything from Chopin to Billie Eilish and Elton John.

Dance teacher Courntey Lyall said she could see the clients' progress weekly, and it brought her joy to watch them grow.

"It's always a good time. I really love that. We've got the balance of a fun, friendly class but we're also still working quite hard," she said.