April 12, 2015

Ballet Blog Update: More Classes and Pointe

It’s been a really long time since I’ve shared any type of personal update here. But things have been going extremely well. I’ve been making it to three or four classes a week (a lot compared to what I used to make it to) and a lot of the times, two pointe classes a week. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for writing and blogging.

But the good news is, both HQ and I have been improving a lot. Pointe, especially, has been going really well for me. I used to dread pointe class, but now I’ve been really looking forward to it. My legs and feet have started to become less sore after class (except this week after missing a few classes due to Easter and an unpleasant stomach bug).

We’ve started a little bit to work on our performance for the summer, which I’m really looking forward to. I really enjoy it when we work on combinations from week to week.

Blog-wise, I really want to start working on some how-to posts, but I’m not sure where to start. I definitely want to rework ABP’s How to Build a Barre post (it’s a little bit confusing). If you have other suggestions of what you’d like to see — let me know and I’ll get working on them.

Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class, Ballet Class Recap, Info, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , , 1 Comment
January 19, 2015

Updates: Nutcracker, Back to Basics, Friends in Ballet

Back in December and early January, my ballet class was working on choreography for the Spanish dance in the Nutracker, which was really fun. My instructor even brought in fans for the final classes we practiced it in the first few days of January.

Soon after that, we dove back into the basics for the yearly crowd of newcomers as the new year began. Surprisingly, it’s been really tough going through the class relatively slow (tough but good). The first weekend of those classes I made it to three classes in one weekend and was super sore. This weekend I found myself sick and barely made it through two classes.

This weekend I did make it to a pointe class, too, despite being sick. That was tough, especially since my last class in December was really tough and painful (I’m still not sure why).

I’m happy that in this weekend’s class I managed to keep my pointe shoes on for the entire class (and not have switched to flat slippers), but I know there’s still a lot of work left to be done there. I’ve tried to keep up with strengthening exercises everyday at home and trying to make it to every class that I can.

I’ve also had one of my coworkers join me for a class, and I’m looking forward to her joining me for more. I love bringing new people to class.

How’s your first half of January been? Please share updates in the comments–I love reading them! 

Haven’t taken the reader survey yet? Check it out here.

Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class Recap Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
September 21, 2014

Ballet = Fun, But Sometimes That’s Easy To Forget

About two weeks ago, I had a pretty miserable ballet class. I was upset with how I was doing in center floor and pretty much beat myself up about it for a while afterwards. I forgot that ballet class was supposed to be fun.

I didn’t make it to another class until this past Friday.

Part of the reason I didn’t go back was because I was feeling exhausted and sick, but deep down I was too nervous go back. So I didn’t.

I made excuses as to why not to go — I needed more sleep, I should do some work, I’m too tired. But I finally forced to go on Friday even though I didn’t get much sleep the night before.

There were only five of us in the class and I ended up standing at the front of the barre (technically the back) and had someone who was taking her first class following behind me.

That’s a lot of pressure for a “first” class back, and I definitely sweat more than I usually do. But I was really proud of the fact I managed to remember (most) of the combinations, even those in the center. I was practically in tears by the time I left.

Happy tears. Ballet is supposed to be fun. I need to remember not to beat myself up so much when I have a “bad” class.

I went to class again on Saturday morning. I also did pre-pointe in my soft shoes afterwards.

My body has been really sore and tight lately after class too, so I’ve decided to try to make more of a point (no pun intended) to stretch more at home, especially now that I have the room to  do so. I cleared off my barre (I had been using it as a drying rack) and did some stretching earlier today.

Another exciting thing that came out of this weekend is the fact that my instructor plans on starting at square one again in a pointe class on Fridays, so I’ll finally be able to start again.

How have your classes been going now that it’s practically fall?

Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class Recap, Blog Tagged With: , , , 2 Comments
August 28, 2014

Ballet Class Recap: August Slump

It’s been a bit of a rough couple of weeks. I’ve decided to pass on running the Philly 10K, since there’s no way we can be ready on  time. While I’m pretty disappointed that it feels like I’m giving up (again)–I’m still glad that I’m making the right decision for my health. There is always next year.

Instead, I’ll be doing my favorite local 5K from last year at the end of September, which will benefit a group that runs with shelter dogs. I’m excited. So far, running without the pressure of trying to greatly increase my mileage has been going really well.

I feel like I haven’t consistently made it to ballet class consistently with vacation, moving and work (as well as lack of sleep) — although I’ve made it to at least one last class in the past three weeks. This past week I made it to two, thanks to some friends from class who texted me to get moving and get to class.  I’ve been a little frustrated with how I’ve done in class (especially with jumping) but I’m hoping once summer is over and I’m more regularly in class things will be going better.

How has your August been?

Filed Under: Ballet Class Recap Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment
August 4, 2014

Ballet Recital and Some Life Updates

Kristen_ballet_showIf you’re friends with me on Facebook, then you’ve probably seen some of the photos from my short ballet recital that happened last weekend. It was part of National Dance Day and we performed a short routine to Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful.”

It was a lot of fun, although I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for it. I was out of ballet class the second to last week before the performance because work was crazy and I was stressed (see here). But I went to five classes (plus a rehearsal) and managed to get somewhat up to speed. I wasn’t totally pleased with how I did during the actual performance–but it was all right given the circumstances. Here’s another photo (via Philly Dance Fitness’s Facebook page) of me making a totally awkward face:

Post by Philly Dance Fitness.

I’m excited because post-performance my ballet teacher is going back to the basics with a lot of the steps and combinations that we haven’t had a chance to practice in a while–something I really need still post-injury. I can tell that my feet and calves aren’t as strong as they were pre-stress fracture diagnosis.  I’m going to work on doing some at home exercises too not that I’ve finished the crazy process of moving apartments.

How has your summer been going so far?

Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class Recap Tagged With: , , 1 Comment