Hi, Though I can't exactly answer your question regarding getting back into ballet after a long absense, I can add to this subject somewhat. I spent the first 20 years of my life wanting to take ballet, but couldn't because of the social stigma of men in ballet (and my parents downright condemnation of the idea). It wasn't until I moved out on my own that I (with my wifes support) decided to fufill my desire. It took about 3 months of gathering up the nerve to take class (hesitant for some of the same reasons you mention regarding appearance), how I would look in tights and leotards etc. After much internal debate, I just decided "the hell with what folks might think about a guy (in tights) in ballet", I am just going for it. And, true EXACTLY what Basheva said, nobody said a word or stared etc. They were in fact, all too busy thinking about themselves and consentrating on the excercises that they didn't have time for anything else. I am 40 now (been in ballet 21 years now) and my only regret is I didn't start sooner. Just go do it, relax and have fun. Don't waste anymore time sweating the small stuff.-Peter [/i]