I have made no apologies for my great love for barre work and my sincere trepidation when it comes to center work… which I realize is the opposite for most people. I love that barre though. It’s a nice height, a good partner, it keeps me company with no small talk, and most importantly,  it keeps me from falling over! If you aren’t a person who just seems to fall over with regularity perhaps this is not a problem for you but I have this uncanny and completely inexplicable gift for simply toppling over from time to time.

So in class last night, we blew right through barre – which has been the case lately, Awesome Ballet Teacher definitely wants to get more time in center. I don’t know about your ballet teacher, but mine always explains what he’s doing so he let’s us know that we are about to embark on a lot of dancing in center. Oh the joy. But it’s been getting better, my attitude towards center that is.

I know, I know, you are all thinking but dancing in center is the fun part! Let me explain… dancing in center means that

1. there is no barre, therefore, falling down is a possibility
2. you are head on with a mirror, possibly even the fat mirror. leotard +fat mirror = minor stroke
3. other people are in center too, not only do you have to watch your own self flailing about but you could get into a collision with other flailing people
4. you have to figure out what to do with BOTH arms

As a person who has never danced before – no, not as a little kid, I read books; no, not as a teenager, I read books; no, not as a young adult, you get the idea – I never really considered dancing to be a fun activity. When I was in high school government, I had to go to one dance a semester. I did the administrative work because watching teenagers dance to Depeche Mode and Duran Duran made my eyes burn. When I was 14, doing the accounting for the dance was more fun than going to the dance – I absolutely realize that is NOT right. But, there you are.

Miracle of miracles, I am coming to a place where center work has indeed begun to be fun! So last night when Awesome Ballet Teacher said lots of dancing, I wasn’t immediately filled with dread. And we did do a lot of dancing! Mostly back and forth but, of course, then came across the floor. I do not know what it is about across the floor because really that should be totally easy, especially when it’s only one step just repeated! You have the whole floor to yourself or maybe just one other person and it’s just one step over and over BUT somehow I always manage to lose it. Fortunately we went back to back and forth and then small jumps to end a really great class. But what is it about across the floor??? It’s just a straight line!!!

Yes, I realize that somethings should be obvious but well what the heck… I guess that I always assumed that being warmed up really meant having engaged in some stretching exercises before beginning class. For some strange reason that I cannot put my finger on, I never really equated it to actual temperature. I’ve been discovering that warming up actually involves heat. Imagine that! My feet always cramp up in the first three to four exercises of ballet class. Now part of this is that  my feet are not as strong as I would like. I am working toward strengthening them so I do realize that some soreness is going to happen just like every other muscle in my body that is getting stronger but not terribly strong yet. Plus, I’m just prone to cold extremities and I consider it cold at the moment the temperature drops to 70 degrees. 71 and all is well, 70 and I need a heater or at least a blanket! But I also discovered that if I get my feet and lower legs warm, and I do mean as in raising the temperature, before class this really really helps! So I’ve taken to wearing these Capezio booties over my soft shoes while stretching before class.

I removed the ribbons – they were a bit too cutesy – but it really helps to raise the temp on my toes. I also layer on some heavier leg warmers, these Harmonies are my current faves…

because they are extra fluffy. I’ve come to prefer heavier tights as well, like Prima Soft, which provide me with a little more warmth even after I strip off the extra layers.  I lose the booties when class starts and the leg warmers half way through barre. Pre-class stretching also includes giving myself a foot massage, not only because it feels good but it also because gets the blood flowing.

So what are your favorite warmies or your favorite ways to get yourself warm for class?