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.
Jun 26, 02:50PM PDT | 0 comments
well,like sometime next week i am going to join ballet classes for the rest of the summer [3months] and if i like it i will make it all work out when it is time to go back to school for my senior year.so yay!!
amerika
Jun 02, 2008, 05:27PM PDT | 0 comments
the beck center has ballet classes going on this summer and since i just got a job i think one of my first major investments is going to be that.
Apr 27, 2008, 02:16PM PDT | 0 comments
I’ve been attending ballet classes for about 3 years now, and last weekend we’ve had a performance on stage – time to mark this done :-)
Apr 22, 2008, 11:58PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments
First term completed, getting ready for a second term! Great fun, glad I took a chance and went for it.
Apr 03, 2008, 06:18AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments
Took my first class last week, was very very nervous, wondering what on earth I was doing there, but it turned out to be really great. Didn’t feel stupid at all – I’m standing straighter already.
Jan 16, 2008, 02:00AM PST | 0 comments
This is something that is currently happening—I am attending ballet classes on Monday and Thursday night, in two different schools. I’m keeping this on the list as it is never done
“S.M.A.R.T.”? “Attend classes, twice a week, yup, yup, now”.
Dec 04, 2007, 11:04AM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments
I’ve only got one more class before I start rehearsals for a play. Then I’ll be back into it through the fall, starting on pointe again (yay!). I’ve also been taking belly dancing and jazz (no jazz-hands, please), so I’ve whipped the dance goal like a naughty pony.
May 31, 2007, 07:17AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments
Took my first class in EIGHT YEARS last night. I don’t know what happened to my body! I had forgotten so many things, including how much pain was involved in ballet. And I’m not used to seeing my current body jiggle like that. I felt so clumsy, but by the end of the class, I started rediscovering certain body placements. The class was taught by a friend (thankfully). She said to be easy on myself and that I’ll get back into the swing of things quickly. I’m already anxious for the next class!
May 02, 2007, 05:54AM PDT | 0 comments
I’ll only have 6 weeks before I’m rehearsal again for my next play, but that’s 6 ballet classes and 6 belly dancing classes!
I’m too poor for ballet shoes, so I’m going in socks. The girl who teaches the class is a friend and an amazing professional dancer. Yay!!!
Apr 26, 2007, 09:19AM PDT | 2 cheers | 0 comments