December 7, 2014

Some Updates–website update, the Nutcracker + Pointe!

So I’ve finally gotten around to doing some updates on the blog, mostly because I’ve been sick the past few days and haven’t made it to a ballet class or been able to go running. So I’ve done some messing around with a redesign to make stuff more readable and easier to find. Getting the studio stuff all in a line again is going to take a little bit longer…but we’re working on it.

On to ballet updates:

Although I’m feeling like crap for not having made it to a class since before Thanksgiving, things are going well. I’m so happy I get to learn choreography to Nutcracker music since I missed all of that last year thanks to my injury. Recently, I’ve also started doing some pre-pointe work again. I wish I had an awesome picture to share here, but I don’t. I’ll have to take one before the holidays start-up again.

HQ and I have also recently joined a gym, so hopefully I’ll get to improve my cardio more (since it really sucks right now).

Share your lovely ballet updates with me!

(PS sending out a round of emails this morning to those who submitted to be featured on the site!)

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog Tagged With: , , , 5 Comments
May 24, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Remedial Ballerina

Pink Check out this week’s profile of one of my favorite fellow ballerina bloggers, Remedial Ballerina !

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started taking class in August of 2012.  

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

Many!  I started taking ballet at age 3, all the way through age 18.  I dabbled in tap and jazz, but ballet was always my favorite.  

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I was stuck in a rut for a long time.  I gave birth to my daughter, and everything changed in my life.  I put on some weight, my old slight dancer figure was no more, and it really bothered on me.  I tried running, biking, swimming, zumba and weight lifting.  I was interested in all of those things for awhile, but nothing ever stuck.  I needed a way to shape up, increase my strength and give me some release from the daily grind.

Oddly enough (and embarrassing to admit!) I started watching the show Dance Moms, which reminded me how much I loved to dance growing up.  I spent all of my childhood learning ballet, it was a natural transition.  At the age of 26, I decided to take the plunge and join an adult ballet class.  Since the semester started I’ve never missed a class.  I’m actually panicking now trying to locate a studio that offers summer adult classes!  

Where do you take classes?

I take classes at a lovely little studio in the Milwaukee area.  

What is your favorite part about ballet?

My favorite thing about ballet is that everyone is there for the same reason, to improve themselves in some way.  I always felt judged at the gym, never welcome.  Ballet is amazing because everyone is so engrossed in their own technique, nobody has time to watch you make stupid mistakes.  Even better, EVERYONE makes at least one stupid mistake each class, looks ridiculous doing a certain move, etc.  Ballet is non-judging and an amazing way to forget about everything else in your life.

What is your least favorite part?

My least favorite part about ballet is that I gave up dancing, and now I’m playing an intense game of catch-up.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

I dont have a favorite dancer, but I’m inspired by my own progress.  It’s been 8 months back at it, and my body has changed dramatically.  I have more to work on, and I see my own improvement week after week.  It’s unlike any other fitness program, sport, or hobby I’ve ever tried. 

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I’ve lost 22 lbs since I re-started ballet in August 2012.  I know that doesn’t sound like that much, but I’ve gone down 2 pant sizes, I’m significantly more toned and only getting healthier every day.  The quest to be healthy and strong is what drives me to pursue dance again. 

Do you take any other dance classes?

I do!  I’m taking lyrical and pointe in addition to technique class. 

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I’m motivated by and pretty good at most creative projects I try out.  My favorite hobby aside from ballet is art quilting and fabric collage.  I really enjoy making intricate fabric collages out of tiny pieces of fabric.  Aside from that, I love reading, writing, and playing various instruments

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

DIVE IN!  Don’t worry about trying to lose weight before you join a ballet class.  You’ll melt it off during class.  Ballet is hard, but very physically and mentally gratifying.

One last thing– ALWAYS wear a leotard.  Even if you think you’re not in shape to wear a leotard, ballet involves lots of bending/spinning/jumping, and you’ll want the leotard to keep your midsection covered! 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Ballet has literally changed my life.  It sounds cheesy, but I think it will change yours too.  Try it out!

Black Swan

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Interviews Tagged With: , , , 3 Comments
October 12, 2012

Ballerina Profile: Kristen Gillette

Me “stretching” (the railing was low) by Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

That’s right, me. I’m still in the process of getting a few interviews back, so in the meantime, I figured I’d share some information about myself that I haven’t posted here before.

I started doing ballet in March of 2012. I took a class once a week at Philly Dance Fitness for a while before I was living in two places this summer (Allentown and Philadelphia) and could only manage the occasional class at Koresh Dance Studio. I started going two times a week (or more, I’m at 3 or 4 now) in the beginning of September.

I took classes for three years as a kid, at about age 4. I quit after year three because my parents moved us to dance classes held in the basement of a church and not a “real” dance studio. I wasn’t a fan of the move, and I quit.

I’ve wanted to take adult classes for over a year now. It wasn’t until my boyfriend helped push me into finally buying a pair of ballet shoes that I finally got over my fears of being the “new girl” in class and finally signed up.

I take classes at both Philly Dance Fitness and Koresh Dance Studio. I started at Philly Dance Fitness, and I love my instructor, Beverly, for being as welcoming as she is to new students. I started taking classes at Koresh to get more of a “real studio” feel, and I love both, although Koresh is super challenging sometimes for a newbie.

My favorite part of ballet is turns. Currently, I can only land en dedan pirouettes (which my instructors rarely seem to work on). But I love working on them, and turns are my favorite thing to work on at home.

My least favorite part is jumps. I was FINALLY getting a handle on them a while ago, but now they

On the Race Street Pier in Philly.

I want to take modern jazz classes. Otherwise, I’ve only taken one hiphop class (and the studio stopped offering them). Koresh offers a variety of classes, and I’ve meant to take modern jazz but the class is labeled “beginner” scares me. I take an intro to ballet class there and that is tough enough as it is.

My hobbies outside of ballet including writing, TV, and crocheting. I ran a TV blog when I was younger on Blogger.

My advice to new beginners is DON’T GIVE UP. Although your first experience in a dance studio can be nerve-racking and you might not do so hot, COME BACK anyway. You’ll get better. I’ve noticed that a lot of people  show up for their first class and never return. Just remember that everyone had to start at some point.

Anything else you’d like to know about me?

 

Filed Under: Ballerina Profiles Tagged With: , , , , , , 6 Comments
September 28, 2012

Ballerina Profile: Legal Ballerina

Here is the Adult Ballerina Project’s first Ballerina Profile on Legal Ballerina. She started doing ballet in November of 2011.

Adult Ballerina Project: Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

Legal Ballerina: No. I was raised by my father and he worked all of the time. I wanted to take ballet, but had a difficult time expressing my desires or needs to him.

ABP: Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

LB: A couple of reasons – my BFF (and nanny) started to take a beginner class and asked me to join. I went to one class and liked it, so I joined. Second, like I mentioned before, I really did always wish I could take ballet as a child. Better late than never. Right?!

ABP: Where do you take classes?

LB: I take classes at a studio called Chardon Dance. It is my hometown. My teacher (who I refer to as “the General” in my blog) is wonderful and her students are super supportive. They are all close with each other and it feels like a family. It makes my journey that much more enjoyable knowing that they have welcomed me into it.

ABP: What is your favorite part about ballet?

LB: I love the clothes. If I didn’t, I would not be taking ballet. Fashion is important to me.

I love to practice and getting strong. Specifically, I like practicing my turns (pique and shanays to my left because it is stronger). I like seeing myself glide across the floor; it makes me feel pretty. While I didn’t enjoy them at first, I do like practicing my pirouettes now too. I have improved so much in 4 months; it is very encouraging.

ABP: What is your least favorite part?

LB: I injured my left hamstring in late spring. Ever since, I get nagging pain and pulling in that leg when I stretch or do kicks. I HATE IT. I don’t know if my hamstring will ever improve. I am going to see a physical therapist soon who is going to try to pull and massage out the scar tissue that is likely causing my problem. I suppose stretching in general is quite frustrating to me. I don’t know if I will ever be able to kick my leg to my head like some of the girls, but I can try!

ABP: What motivates you to keep dancing?

LB: My teacher, my friends, my husband and my kids. If they didn’t believe in me, it would be hard to believe in myself, especially since I started this so late in my life. Also, seeing improvement in my dancing has also kept me motivated. If I didn’t, it would be hard to keep pushing through the blood, sweat and tears associated with learning classical ballet.

ABP: What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

LB: I like to crochet (started that last year too), collecting authentic German cuckoo clocks (started that recently as well), playing video games with my daughter, play scrabble and drink wine with my hubby (who is amazing at the game btw), sing with my little sister and son (he is 3 – I am positive he has the performer gene), Friday Night Dance Parties with my family, watch old and/or obscure horror movies (I am a huge fan and have an eclectic collection) and make people laugh (yes, I consider this a hobby. I even have material that I use regularly and rely on my dad to provide me with more. He is my “muse”.)

ABP: What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

LB: There are two types of beginners: Those who want to dance as a hobby and those who want to perform. If you want to dance as a hobby, there are plenty of studios out there who are willing to teach adults that are interested in learning basic ballet terms and technique. You take one class a week, spend an enjoyable hour practicing with friends and looking cute in the mirror and then go home. There is nothing to it and I think that if you want to take ballet in this manner – go for it! You will not regret it.

Then there are those who want to perform, like me! If that is your type you have a few obstacles ahead of you.

Find a good studio/teacher that is interested in teaching an adult ballet and actually enjoys doing it. You will be surprised how rare this really is. My first teacher, while good, wasn’t interested in teaching adults who were serious about learning ballet. She felt there was no point because, as adults, you really cannot become professional dancer. My question is, “So what?!” How many of these young girls she is teaching really going to become professional dancers anyway?! Just because you are over the age of 20, doesn’t mean you cannot learn ballet. Hence, why I left that studio.

Once you find a teacher and a studio, get ready to work your butt off. Here is the thing, the harder you work for your teacher, the more he/she will want to work with you. If you want to stand out and get asked to perform along side younger students or even get a solo, you better be ready to put your all into learning technique, stretching and getting strong. When I started taking ballet, I took one class per week. Now, I take 3 classes week, plus practice at home 2 nights (which can last an hour 1/2 to 2 hours) and do an hour of cardio one night a week as well. That’s 6 days a week of preparing my body to perform. My teacher appreciates my effort and really wants to help me achieve my goal because I have shown her that I am willing to go the distance. If you want to perform, you have to work. Period. My teacher expects me to do everything her other, younger, students do. And, with a stiff upper lip, I do it. No complaints, no excuses, no shame. Sure, I have bad days (as you will read in my blog from time to time), but I stick it out through the lesson, cry alone in my car for a moment and when the tears are wiped away and the matter is assessed rationally, I dust myself off and keep on going. Also, and something I didn’t expect, if you really do put in the effort, the other students will notice and appreciate you too. As an adult, you are an influence on these girls whether you like it or not. They look at me as a friend, a caregiver, a professional and a dancer. Don’t underestimate how much of an impact you will have on these students. They look at me as a role model because I show them that when you grow up, your life doesn’t have to end when you get married and have children. I show them how a woman CAN be, if you just try. That is pretty powerful stuff and I welcome the opportunity with open arms.

ABP: Anything else you’d like to add?

LB: Don’t be afraid to walk into a ballet class and start something new. True, ballet is difficult, but not impossible. If you were athletic or flexible before ballet, it will help you excel faster. If not, you will get stronger and more flexible as the weeks go on. You just have to work at it every day. Even if you want ballet as just a hobby, you will be surprised at how much of a work out you get in so little time. Ballet can get you back in shape or be something to add in your normal work-out routine.

Also, do not be intimidated by the younger students, because undoubtedly, there will be a lot of them dancing along side you in every class. They may not understand your place at first, but do not forget YOU are the adult and they look at you like one. In all likelihood, they are intimidated by your presence. I am surprised at how mature the students are. I suppose it is because of the discipline and self control associated with learning ballet. I look at them not as children, but as fellow students and they do the same to me. So, be kind to them and they will be a great source of support to you when you have your (often frequent) bad days.

Filed Under: Ballerina Profiles, Ballet Tagged With: , , , , , 2 Comments