Online Seated Swans
chair-based ballet classes
Chair-based exercise for seniors and adults
Live on Zoom
Live on Zoom
Online Seated Swans
Silver Swans with Johanna, as seen on
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BBC Two's Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness, ITV Tonight: How To Age Well?, BBC North West Tonight, BBC Radio Manchester, That's Manchester TV, Woman's Weekly, The Connexion, The i Newspaper, Breathe Magazine, World Ballet Day, The Times, The Telegraph, Daily Express, RAD@Home,
Caters News and the Radio Times |
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Online Seated Swans
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Mobility issues and chronic health conditions shouldn't be the reason that you stop enjoying dance! With carefully crafted exercises, join us for our weekly online Seated Swans, live on Zoom, and experience the joy of dance while gaining the benefits of chair-based exercise.
Our participants in our Seated Swans classes are of all ages and with a wide range of health conditions meaning that a chair-based class is at the right pace for them – arthritis, CFS/ME, scoliosis, MS, long Covid, cancer treatment, waiting for joint replacement surgeries just to name a few. Often, the availability of a chair-based exercise class is sadly limited from town to town – and then with the physical travel involved in getting to the class, participants find themselves exhausted before the class has even begun! With our online classes, our dancers can log in and just enjoy your class from their homes, meaning you're getting the most out of every class. Drawing upon the principles of dance technique, each exercise and class is thoughtfully structured to promote strength, flexibility, and balance while prioritising safety and accessibility. Each week you can explore the world of dance in a range of styles from ballet to jazz, tap to character with our Seated Swans ballet teacher, Johanna, in a live online class to engage the mind and body. |
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Silver Swans® ballet classes are an initiative of the Royal Academy of Dance. Seated Swans was created by the Royal Academy of Dance following increasing demand from learners for a chair-based option to make ballet even more accessible.
Our weekly online class is taught live on Zoom and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Unlike a pre-recorded videos, in our live online Zoom classes, everyone is able to interact with each other, meaning that classes have real-time feedback from our Silver Swans® licensee. Our Zoom classes are not impersonal online group exercise classes – we get to know all our Silver Swans and our Silver Swans all get to know each other. However, we understand that health conditions can fluctuate on a day-by-day basis, and so we email a recording of the class if you can't make the live session so that you can catch up on a day when you feel able to. At the Janet Lomas School of Dancing, we work hard to provide equal opportunities. Our Seated Swans therefore also have the opportunity to work towards inclusive ballet examinations (however, these are optional). Find out more here: Ballet Exams |
PLUS THERE IS MORE! We have a large and vibrant social aspect to our Seated Swans classes as we regularly arrange exclusive social events for our online Swans. Past events have included a Q&A with Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing), Q&A with Brandon Lawrence (Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal), Royal Opera House Hair and Make up, The Marius Petipa Society and in-person meet ups. Upon joining our Silver Swans classes, you will also be invited to join our private Facebook group – Feathered Friends. A friendly international group of our Swans, Silver Swans and Seated Swans, where we chat and share about all things dance and non-dance related.
We often describe our Seated Swans as not just classes, but a community. Many of our Seated Swans join the join our online classes early and stay online after the class to have a chat with their fellow Seated Swan friends from across the world.
We often describe our Seated Swans as not just classes, but a community. Many of our Seated Swans join the join our online classes early and stay online after the class to have a chat with their fellow Seated Swan friends from across the world.
Times & Prices
Online Seated Swans
via Zoom
Tuesdays 11.45am-12.15pm BST
12.45pm Central Europe Time (CEST)
1.45pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)
7.45pm Australia Western Standard Time (AWST)
7.45pm Philippine Standard Time (PST)
8.45pm Japan Standard Time (JST)
6.45am Eastern Standard Time (EST)
1.45pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)
7.45pm Australia Western Standard Time (AWST)
7.45pm Philippine Standard Time (PST)
8.45pm Japan Standard Time (JST)
6.45am Eastern Standard Time (EST)
£5.00 per class (when paid as a half-term block – 6 weeks)
£4.50 per class (when paid as a full-term block – 12 weeks)
£4.50 per class (when paid as a full-term block – 12 weeks)
Meet our Seated Swans
We created the above videos specially for the Royal Academy of Dance's Silver Swans Celebration in 2025. The videos feature our weekly online Seated Swans and Silver Swans dancers – the dancers featured are aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and range from complete beginners to advanced dancers.
Meet your tutor
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Johanna Hadley is our fully-qualified, experienced ballet teacher and Silver Swans® licensee at the Janet Lomas School of Dancing (to see her full qualifications list, please see here). She is a Level 2 qualified chair-based exercise instructor and fully qualified in Dance for Parkinson's.
Johanna began teaching Silver Swans® ballet classes as part of the Royal Academy of Dance’s Silver Swans® pilot programme in September 2017 starting with face-to-face classes in Bury, Lancashire. Her popular classes have now been taken entirely online, meaning that participants can access Silver Swans® classes from across the world. For this work, she was chosen by the Royal Academy of Dance as a finalist for their Teacher Awards 2024, 2025 and 2026.. She has worked as Associate Artist in Dance for Parkinson's classes for People Dancing's 'Live Well & Dance: with Parkinson's'. |
Silver Swans with Johanna has been widely featured on TV (BBC and ITV), radio, magazines and in national newspapers. A highlight in her teaching career was filming with Darcey Bussell for her BBC documentary 'Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness', which featured Johanna and her Silver Swans, and Darcey joined in her ballet class! Johanna is also a regular guest teacher of Silver Swans® classes for Carers UK and of Silver Swans®, Seated Swans and Dance for Parkinson's for the Royal Voluntary Service.
FAQs
When are your Seated Swans classes?
We run online Seated Swans classes on Tuesdays.
What will I need for online Seated Swans classes?
Before joining any session, please check that you have space around you and that it is clear of any obstacles.
Classes are hosted using Zoom. Please don't hesitate to ask for help if you feel that you are uncertain about how to join a Zoom meeting or would like someone to talk you through getting set up. We are more than happy to assist and have helped many of our dancers join their first ever Zoom meeting.
Can I join in if I'm in another country?
Our international classes are open to anyone from anywhere, so please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Classes are taught in English.
Are your online classes hybrid classes (i.e. a face-to-face class that is being live streamed)?
No. Our online classes are taught as a purely online classes. This means that all the participants in the online class have the full attention of the Silver Swans Licensee.
I have a few health problems – does this mean I can't join?
The Royal Academy of Dance have carefully designed the Silver Swans® classes in order to make it accessible for all. Seated Swans has specifically crafted exercises that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of learners with mobility issues. You can take the class according to how you feel on the day and only do what you know it is safe for you to do – and should you feel the need for a short break, we won't mind!
It is always recommended that you speak with your GP or healthcare professional before starting any exercise programme
Is there an age limit?
Seated Swans is open to all ages and genders.
What should I wear?
For classes, you can wear anything that you will feel comfortable and can easily move around in. Long hair should be tied back securely, please, and we advise no loose jewellery.
Are you offering official Seated Swans classes?
Our Silver Swans® classes are run and taught by a Silver Swans® Licensee. Silver Swans® Licensees have undergone specialist training through the Royal Academy of Dance in order to receive their licence. As a mark of an official Silver Swans® Licensee, always look out for the logo. Our tutor is also fully qualified in Chair-based exercise and Dance for Parkinson's.
We run online Seated Swans classes on Tuesdays.
What will I need for online Seated Swans classes?
- A desktop computer, laptop, phone or tablet that has an internet connection and connected camera.
- A sturdy chair (preferably without chair arms)
- Water
Before joining any session, please check that you have space around you and that it is clear of any obstacles.
Classes are hosted using Zoom. Please don't hesitate to ask for help if you feel that you are uncertain about how to join a Zoom meeting or would like someone to talk you through getting set up. We are more than happy to assist and have helped many of our dancers join their first ever Zoom meeting.
Can I join in if I'm in another country?
Our international classes are open to anyone from anywhere, so please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Classes are taught in English.
Are your online classes hybrid classes (i.e. a face-to-face class that is being live streamed)?
No. Our online classes are taught as a purely online classes. This means that all the participants in the online class have the full attention of the Silver Swans Licensee.
I have a few health problems – does this mean I can't join?
The Royal Academy of Dance have carefully designed the Silver Swans® classes in order to make it accessible for all. Seated Swans has specifically crafted exercises that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of learners with mobility issues. You can take the class according to how you feel on the day and only do what you know it is safe for you to do – and should you feel the need for a short break, we won't mind!
It is always recommended that you speak with your GP or healthcare professional before starting any exercise programme
Is there an age limit?
Seated Swans is open to all ages and genders.
What should I wear?
For classes, you can wear anything that you will feel comfortable and can easily move around in. Long hair should be tied back securely, please, and we advise no loose jewellery.
Are you offering official Seated Swans classes?
Our Silver Swans® classes are run and taught by a Silver Swans® Licensee. Silver Swans® Licensees have undergone specialist training through the Royal Academy of Dance in order to receive their licence. As a mark of an official Silver Swans® Licensee, always look out for the logo. Our tutor is also fully qualified in Chair-based exercise and Dance for Parkinson's.
Want to join our Seated Swans online classes?
We also host regular online social events for our Silver Swans®
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In conversation with Brandon Lawrence – Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal dancer
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"Johanna's Silver Swans Zoom sessions are a brilliant addition to her range of ballet classes! In my own space at home, I receive individual attention whilst in a Zoom group, expert teaching and demonstration in a more personal and one-to-one context." |
Janet Lomas School of Dancing
Est. 1978
Est. 1978
Online international ballet training to the highest standard.
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