Progress

Sometimes it's the small things that can feel like milestones in ballet. My class has graduated from New Adult Beginner to Adult Beginner. This basically means we no longer face the barre. We now place one hand on the barre, while the other arm does work. It felt awesome! I went through a few weeks where I felt quite stagnant, like I was not progressing much. Monday's class however, added a new level of challenge to everything. Just a little extra thing to think about during the barre work (not that there wasn't already a lot to think about). I can feel my arms are getting a decent workout as well which is an extra bonus! So excited about this little achievement :)

Dreaming of Developpes

So last night I was dreaming of developpes.... literally. In my dream I was able to do one of those developpe a la second where my leg was so close to my face I could kiss it. Kinda like this...

And this....

It was so easy in my dream too lol, like my leg was weightless. Anyhow, I woke up with developpe on my mind and  decided to do some research on how to improve the height of my developpe. I found an article on theballetblog.com . The link is here if anyone is interested. A video would be helpful but I couldn't find one in English. Any tips or helpful links are welcome, please leave them in the comments if you have any  Thanks! :)

Trying Out a Different Studio

So I've been taking classes twice a week for aboout 4 months now. I'm feeling a bit stagnant with my progress. Initially I was super excited to be back into it, and after being very inactive for about 2 years, I saw changes fairly quickly. My legs are more toned, I can see the muscles in my inner thigh, and my posture is also better. After the first month though, I seemed to have plateaued. I was expecting this because it's totally normal, but I've been wanting to take more classes for some time now and I figured it could only help. I'd take more classes at the same studio if it were closer to home, the commute plus the cost of classes is a bit much for my wallet.
I've been reluctant to try a new studio because most of the adult classes in my area are ongoing, and having practically no dance experience not knowing the combinations is very intimidating. Not only that but ballet is a very precise dance form and when the tempo is too fast for me my technique becomes pretty much non existent.
I was feeling a bit brave last week and felt like maybe I was ready to try one of the on going classes at a studio minutes from my house. The barre was good, I had some trouble with the frappes and fondus because I've never really done them other than a couple of times a couple of years back. No biggie I thought, I'll get the hang of it eventually. But then we moved on to the center, I'm laughing just thinking  about it. I just could not keep up. I felt bad that the teacher and students had to witness such a thing. In my current class we still do our barre work while facing the bar so my arms just would not cooperate. I understood the combinations but it was as though my body just would not react quickly enough. Needless to say I was somewhat of a disaster in the center. The teacher was patient but seemed a bit confused as to why I just wasn't getting it.
I had been to this studio a couple of years ago, in fact my first ballet class was at this very studio, but it was also at this studio where I almost gave up. The barre work and combinations in the center are just too overwhelming for someone with no training. I was hoping that maybe I could handle it since I'm not a complete novice but I'm not quite there yet :(
I'm gonna keep trying a few studios though. hopefully can find something at my level because ideally I'd like to be taking classes at least 3 days a week, 2 is just not enough for me.

Ballet as Inspiration?

Ballet inspires me to be more creative, athletic, and graceful. It also inspires me to be more "beautiful". To be completly honest, when I go to class and watch myself in the mirror I can't help but notice a few areas (mainly thighs and hips) that I'd like to see reduced in size a bit. Ballet works wonders for your core and legs. The results are noticeable and I'm only a few weeks in.
One of my ballet teachers always stresses that confidence is attractive. He says, "If you make a mistake, do it with confidence! It looks better." I'm not saying I'm insecure with my body, I love that I have curves but I wouldn't mind having toned curves, if you know what I mean. Being more comfotable in my skin would definitely give me a little confidence boost.
Ballet works your muscles in a different way than a typical workout would. For me it feels like I have to work my stabilizer muscles more than I would for other forms of exercise.

Since I've already seen a notable change in my body from taking ballet twice a week, I wanted to do a workout that would work the same muscles in the same way. I have already tried a couple of ballet workouts so I won't go into the better known ones today. I wanted to try something new and in my search I came across Ballet Beautiful. It is a workout routine (not a ballet class) developed by Mary Helen Bowers. She's the beautiful ballet dancer who trained Natalie Portman for the movie Black Swan. There was a sale on amazon so I went ahead and purchased the dvd set which includes a  60 min workout, and a four 15 min blast workouts.
So I tried the workout, the key word here......tried. Talk about burn! I guess my muscles are not used to doing these types of movements and they simply just gave up on me. This workout is very similar to a pilates workout. I haven't tried pilates since I was a teenager, so for people who do pilates it may be a bit easier. I definitely could not keep up, which is good I guess since this workout will keep me challenged for some time.
I had to move recently, and that took my mind off of ballet and working out for some time, but I'm back and ready to hit it full force. One reason being that my sister has done this workout for about two weeks and the changes in her legs are pretty dramatic. I'm interested in seeing whether or not these workouts will help my ballet technique. I may even post some before and after photos ;)
For now enjoy the beautiful Mary Helen Bowers, my inspiration.

              

Finally! The First Day of Ballet Class!

June 25th was my first day of class and it was great! I was anxious and excited all day in anticipation for my first class in almost two years. It was comforting to at least have an idea of what to expect since the first time I took ballet was at the same studio. I took BART to class. I always enjoy taking the train not only because driving in San Francisco is never good, but also because in a way it makes me feel like I'm living the full on ballet experience. I also like reading on the train which is something I always feel I should do more of. I started reading the unabridged version of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, I've wanted to tackle that one for quite some time now.
I was a few minutes late to class because some wise person decided to jump on the tracks, so my train was delayed. It was no big deal though, I only missed the first few minutes where the instructor introduced himself. We went over posture and turnout extensively for the first class. I had figured the first class would be easy since I at least know more this time around. Well I was so wrong! Even though we only did very basic exercises my legs were shaking! I kept forgetting to breathe, not to mention pull up. I had forgotten how many little things you have to focus on when completing a simple movement in ballet... well technically I didn't forget, it was more so I had forgotten how difficult it was.
The class size was a lot bigger than my last class, there were maybe 40 people. I was happy to see so many people there, and so many within my age group.
What really made my day was when one of my instructors came over to say hi to me. She said, "It's good to have you back, I was sad when you left. You were doing so well." She even remembered my name. I was all smiles after that.
On my way home a random stranger smiled at me and said, "You're having a good day aren't you?" I didn't even realize I was still smiling when he said that. I don't know exactly what about ballet makes me so happy, I just know when I have my hands at the barre and the music starts I get an inexplicable feeling that stirs up in my chest that is a combination of happines, excitement, and focus all at once.
Oh yeah!  I forgot to mention we had a live pianist which just made the whole experience that much better. I also saw two ladies who were in my original class 2 years ago. I wanted so badly to stay and see how advanced they were now but my schedule didn't allow it. Maybe next time I'll stay and watch.
If anyone reading this is thinking about trying ballet, please do it! I understand how intimidating it is as an adult or older teen, but you're limiting yourself if you don't at least try it. I never would have imagined that I could love something so much. Not to mention it does wonders for your legs and your mood.

What's The Pointe?

If anyone read my last post, I just wanted to finish that up by saying that I eventually found a wonderful studio that teaches adults ballet. It is not a fitness ballet class, it is a true ballet  class that teaches adults the very basics and beyond.
Also whether it was the improvements in my posture or my mood (ballet helped both tremendously), my chronic shoulder and neck pain slowly subsided. The improvements were impressive.
I loved everything about it. Everyone there was a true beginner like myself, and the teachers were so encouraging. I had class 2 times a week for about 6 months. Our class had even progressed from "new adult beginning" to "adult
beginning", which felt like a huge accomplishment  considering when I started I didn't even know what a tendu was.
Ballet was the highlight of my week, but due to my work/school schedule I had to take a break from it for some time. I thought it would only be a few months, but months turned into years and now I'm back at square one.
I've missed it so much, and now I've got a new perspective on the whole thing. When it first occurred to me that I wanted to learn ballet, I had no idea it was even possible. I thought it was just a silly idea that would just pass like so many other things I've tried in my life. Ballet is different. It's like a highly addictive drug, once you've had a taste of it you're hooked.
I know will probably never achieve the grace of a prima ballerina. I also understand that I may never dance on pointe shoes. But... that's really not the point, it's also not gonna stop me from trying.
I don't need those things in order to enjoy ballet. That's what's so great about learning as an adult. There's no pressure, just pure enjoyment.
It is my goal to dance on pointe one day, even if it is only very basic and mostly at the barre. I have already singed up for summer classes at my favorite studio, and once I've developed the courage (hopefully soon) I will start trying out studios in my area that offer open classes.
My goals are to take 4 classes a week and to start pointe work within the next 2 years. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm hoping that with the determination and patience of a ballerina I will be able to get there someday.

How It All Began

I love hearing stories about how people decided to take up ballet (or anything equally as challenging) as an adult. I also love telling people how my journey began.... so hear it goes.
I always find it interesting that some this just work themselves perfectly into our lives. This is how ballet entered my life at the age of 25.
I'm a registered veterinary technician, and anyone who has worked as a vet tech or assistant knows it is a very physically taxing and vigorous job.
I don't know how or when it happened, but I developed a constant nagging pain on my left shoulder and neck. One day I when out on a bike ride and I strained my neck and shoulder further, that's what finally pushed my body to the edge. I was running a hot bath to soothe my aching shoulder when a sharp pain from my neck through my shoulder shocked me into the reality that something was wrong and I needed help.
I had mentioned this pain to my doctor on more than one occasion and after some radiographs of my back and  legs I never heard back. I tried to ignore my daily discomfort, and figured it would eventually go away. Well the pain on the day of the bike ride was too severe to ignore, I couldn't get out of bed without assistance.
After my visit with the doctor, I was prescribed Motrin, muscle relaxers, and physical therapy. When I met with my physical therapist he asked some questions, reviewed my record, and said "you're pretty flexible aren't you?"
Me confused, "I guess, I don't really know, I mean I can touch my toes." He walks over and manipulates my arms and hands and says, "yup".
He later explained how some people with a lot of flexibility can have constant aches and pain due to lack of stability. I don't know the details of how or why that happens but basically he told me I had to work on my posture and strengthening my core. Ugh  I thought "how the heck am I supposed to fix my posture I've been slouching since I was 13."
This is where my research into "fixing" myself began. I tried to stick with my physical therapy but sometimes it seemed to make me feel worse. When I researched posture I would come across several ballet forums and always disregarded them, but I guess subconsciously the seed was planted then.
I tried working on my posture, but man was it difficult to be aware of it at all times. I became very frustrated and also very depressed. I couldn't enjoy anything, even sitting down to watch a movie was uncomfortable. There were times I felt hopeless, and thought "how am I supposed to live my life like this?"
I had been told that there was not much else I could do, that my pain was muscular and could possibly never heal. I continued to experiment with different things. I was determined to find something that would give me some relief at the very least.
In my research, I came across information about how psychology can affect chronic pain. Now I don't know how true any of it is, but hell I was willing to try anything. So I thought maybe I need to get over my depression and my anxiety and the pain will go away.
I shifted my focus on improving my mood. I tried a few things and in the process came across a type of therapy that required you to develop an "anchor". I won't go into exactly what it is or how its supposed to work, but in the process of developing it you're supposed feel excited and happy.
So there I was at home alone blasting my itunes and dancing around like a clown. ( I'm really good at making myself laugh by the way), when a classical song comes on. So I started "dancing" like a ballerina. I felt like an idiot but at the same time I thought "how cool would it be to dance to classical music" and I forced myself to get over how silly I felt and continued dancing my self taught ballet, and you know what? It felt wonderful. I felt the passion building up inside of me but also regret that I had never tried ballet when I was younger.
I didn't stop there of course. My mind was filled with questions. I'm the kind of person who obssessively looks for answers. Can adults learn ballet? Where would I find a place that would teach adults? I had to know, I had to find a way to learn ballet. That day was the day it all began. That was almost 3 years ago.