I signed up for Adult Ballet I at Santa Monica College, and went to my first class, wearing a t-shirt, zippered sweater, yoga pants, and running sneakers.
I danced barefoot, which made it difficult to slide my feet across the floor, so I think I’ll get some ballet slippers. I secretly want a leotard and skirt, too, but I don’t need them if I’m only taking 5 sessions as an informal summer course. No need for a tutu either, I guess. I liked the dancing, and except for taking a while to catch up with how the counts were going (shame on me as a musician), I think I did pretty well.
The teacher, who is a good instructor, kind, and funny, is having hip replacement surgery after our course is done. She has been a ballet dancer since she was eight, and the twists have taken their toll on her. She is very talented and sacrifices herself as she painfully demonstrates moves to us. I was made undeniably aware that a serious ballet dancer can destroy her very bones – the purest and most demanding moves are so unnatural to the human body. In this regard, I’m not so much concerned for myself, taking just a casual workshop, as I am disappointed in ballet.
On a more positive note, I am getting an essential education. I can see we will be learning the fundamentals of body alignment and awareness, as well as strengthening, not just the legs, but the body’s core muscles, and all of this will help my singing! I hear it’s good for football players, too.
