Online Seated Swans classes

Seated ballet-based exercise, live on Zoom

We have been featured on

BBC Two's Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness,
​BBC North West Tonight, ITV Tonight: How To Age Well?, Woman's Weekly,
The i Newspaper, Breathe Magazine, ​BBC Radio Manchester,
​That's Manchester TV, World Ballet Day, The Times,
​The Telegraph, Daily Express, Caters News and the Radio Times

Online Seated Swans

Join us for weekly online Seated Swans, live on Zoom, and experience the joy of ballet while gaining the benefits of chair-based exercise. The class has carefully crafted exercises that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of learners with mobility issues. Drawing upon the principles of ballet 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 classical ballet with our Silver Swans Licensee, Johanna, in a live online class to engage the mind and body.

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.

We have a vibrant online community for our dancers with a large social aspect to our online classes – our Silver Swans love to chat and make ballet friends all across the world! We also arrange ballet workshops, social events and in-person meet ups throughout the year.

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)
£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)

Meet your tutor

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, in the Innovation in Dance category. She has worked as Associate Artist in Dance for Parkinson's classes for People Dancing's 'Live Well & Dance: with Parkinson's'.
Johanna's classes have been widely featured on TV, radio, magazines and in national newspapers. Johanna is also a regular guest teacher of Silver Swans® classes for the Royal Voluntary Service and Carers UK. 

Want to be a Seated Swan?

FAQs

When are your Seated Swans classes?
We run online Seated Swans classes on Tuesdays.

Do you also run online Silver Swans and adult ballet classes?
We run online Silver Swans® ballet classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Our online adult ballet classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays.

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.

Want to join our Seated Swans online classes? 

We also host regular online social events for our Silver Swans®
In conversation with Brandon Lawrence – Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal dancer
"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."

​– Jenni Saunders – Silver Swan®