This week only saw two ballet classes but it included a trip to San Francisco to see the San Francisco Ballet perform Onegin so I think I came out well. I learned a short but sweet and incredibly important lesson in my ballet world, week 5.

This week I got some interesting corrections while stretching. That was a little unexpected because it’s, um… stretching!? What does form have to do with stretching other than don’t overdo it and tear something that you’ll want to use later. Awesome Ballet Teacher corrected my form while stretching on the barre, he put me square, made sure that my leg was under me, and made sure I was out of my hips. Holy cow! I could plie, releve, lean over in any direction, slide both ways and look ma – no hands! I thought it was all about just being able to put my nose on my knee but with correct form, that is the same correct form that we use for everything else! stretching is a whole new ballgame. Awesome Ballet Teacher revealed the big secret about stretching – it’s not just about flexibility… stretching is strength work, its core work, its balance work. Sure, it can feel great to get a good stretch going especially after some deep, sustained barre work. But stretching is a workout in itself when done with purpose. When we keep our correct form and hold our positions with strength and intention, stretching not only makes us more flexible, it also helps to build strength in the positions and movements that we want to be able to dance in center!

Ballet is truly amazing in that everything we do in class has a purpose and it’s not terribly varied but it’s always important – it’s all about being able to dance by strengthening and lengthening our bodies. Walking, running, jumping, even stretching at the barre while in ballet class – it’s all balletic movement, all of it. And it all needs to be done with correct form, all the time, every time. And there you have it.

Stay tuned for my review of Onegin!

My Ballet World – Week 4

Between my Trocks trip to Chicago and a night in Irvine with La La La Human Steps, I only went to one class this week. But with that in mind, let me just assure you that watching dance is more than just entertainment. Watching dance teaches you about performance, technique, and musicality; it’s inspiring and energizing; I would argue that watching dance is really an intriguing and necessary part of participating in dance.

I was really nervous about how stiff and/or lost I would be after a week without ballet class – isn’t that funny? One week and I was all in a worry. I did not want to even consider anchoring the barre but got moved there anyway… thanks for the vote of confidence Awesome Ballet Teacher! “I am the boss of me” became the mantra for the afternoon but before too long I was starting to think someone out there has some kind of mean and evil remote control and I was not the boss of me, at least not my feet. Deep breathe, focus, chin up – “I am the boss of me.” There is a lot of be said for that stupid mirror because as I started to become less obsessed with counting to 8 and more intrigued by watching and correcting my own lines and being my own boss. Pretty hands, pretty feet, pretty lines.

The other issue with watching my own lines and being aware of my whole movement rather than just focusing on my feet and a few joints, was that I stopped following the “good” girl. You know, the girl who is obviously far better than I am, has much more talent, and even has pretty feet. Yeah, that girl – we hate her. But we all want to stand behind her and follow her, dang it. Actually, I really like the “good” girl in my class, on top of everything else, she’s really sweet and helpful and rides a wicked Ducati. Anyway, I stopped following her  in the mirror and amazement, people! The combinations became easier and the more I reached for pretty lines as whole movements, the more it made sense, the better it felt! I think I might have been dancing for a minute or two!

I was so inspired that I came up with a fun idea for dealing with the dreaded mirror on the way home. I’m working on it now so stay tuned and you’ll be the first to know!