June 3, 2013

Guest Post: Meet Caysie!

Caysie is going to be a regular contributor to Adult Ballerina Project in the future–check out this cool introduction she wrote about herself!

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dHi everyone! I am so excited to get to be writing for this blog today. Just a while back I was browsing the search results for adult ballet classes in my neighborhood and was completely shocked to find this website. It’s so wonderful to know that I am not the only brave soul willing to put in the work to learn ballet as a “grown up”.

A little about me: I’m Caysie. I’m 23 and currently in my second year of my master’s program learning to become a therapist. I am getting ready to start seeing clients as a trainee, which is exciting and scary all at once! One thing we talk about a lot (when I say a lot, I mean A LOT) at school is a term called “self-care”. Ok, ok, I know this isn’t a totally new term to most of you but the value was a new concept to me. It’s important, not only as therapists but as busy adults, that we take time for ourselves on a regular basis so that we can feel fulfilled outside of work and school. I sat and thought- most of my hobbies are so product related (DIY projects on Pinterest, home improvement, etc) and are good for some quick fun but they aren’t really things that I can sink my teeth into and be passionate about. I had to find something that would keep me sane and happy, something I could love forever.

Enter my love affair with ballet.

I took dance as a kid–tap, jazz, ballet, you name it!- but I ended up not pursuing it beyond elementary school. I stretchbasically forgot about it until when I started my undergrad degree and started nannying for a 12-year-old ballerina. I had to drive her to both of her studios daily and watch her dance through class after class. I fell in love with it. Unable to make time for classes, I picked up doing ballet related exercise through the NYC Ballet Workout DVDs and the Mary Helen Bowers Ballet Beautiful series. I’ve seen my mood and my body change in such wonderful ways over the past few years but it wasn’t enough. So, I ditched my last ounce of reservations and found myself an adult ballet beginners class. I’m not far in, but I’m loving every second of it. I’ve even set up my own little “studio” space in my apartment where I can go to tendu and plié to my heart’s desire.

I’m excited about the possibility of getting to share my journey of not only learning to do ballet, but learning to live ballet and to bring the grace and strength from the art into all aspects of my living.

Just for fun, here are the answers to the questions for profiles that I didn’t yet cover!

What is your favorite part about ballet? 

It’s a way to just lose yourself and totally enjoy creating art using nothing but your body.

What is your least favorite part?

The muscle pain! Haha.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

Maria Kochetkova and Mary Helen Bowers

What motivates you to keep dancing?

The sense of pride in the amazing things my body can accomplish!

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

Don’t be afraid to look silly when you first begin. Ballet is about grace, but it takes time!

Filed Under: Ballerina Profiles, Ballet Tagged With: , , , , , 1 Comment
May 31, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Carolyn Johnson

This week’s profile is of Carolyn Johnson, who started ballet at the age of 50 for the first time after it was recommended to her to help improve her skating, which is pretty amazing. Check it out!

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me6When did you start doing ballet as an adult? 

Age 50.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult? 

Won two Adult Figure Skating Competitions at my home rink – ballet was recommended to improve my skating as well as posture and balance.

Where do you take classes? 

New Braunfels, TX

What is your favorite part about ballet? 

Just started classes, but really enjoy the working out of my legs, core and learning control and balance.

What is your least favorite part?

Stares from other adults in the lobby who probably think I’m crazy for starting lessons at 50  😉

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

Finis Jung

What motivates you to keep dancing?

Just started, but now is the time to embrace life and your passions.  I don’t plan on stopping

Do you take any other dance classes?

No

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

Figure Skating and Ice Dance.

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

Put on blinder’s for your critics and enroll today.  Find an instructor that loves ballet so much he/she could teach it to an elephant.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

Thank you for this project!

 

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , , , , 5 Comments
May 29, 2013

June Challenges (#RWRunStreak Alternative)

Life always likes to get in the way of my monthly challenges. See: College graduations, job interviews, and a back muscle strain/pull. But, here I am again, trying to plan one for June. Unlike the other challenges I’ve planned, this one is just going to include my personal goals for developing my overall fitness.

I’m finding myself desperately wishing I could handle Runner World’s #RWRunStreak, where the goal is to run at least a mile a day between Memorial Day and Fourth of July. No matter how badly I want to do it, I know I shouldn’t attempt it because of how injury-prone I am. So instead, my #RWRunStreak alternative is:

  • Have a decent run at least three days a week (by setting a goal of at least 30 minutes a day, instead of a distance goal, so I don’t push myself too hard)
  • Complete 3 days worth of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred a week
  • Attend at least 2 ballet classes a week (there are 3 offered at my studio)
  • Stretch everyday for at least 10 minutes (baby steps, since previous goals have just led me to give up).
  • Have a dedicated rest day.

I’ve planned my goals at like this so I can try to get in better general shape and fit in some sort of cross-training in now that I’m gym-less (not that I really ever did much at the gym either). I might try to squeeze in some swimming as well, since I (probably) still have access to the school’s pool.

What are your June goals? Are you attempting #RWRunStreak?

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , 6 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
May 23, 2013

Post-Graduate Life

I spent last weekend at home relaxing and getting a few freelance stories done. I also got some running in as well in my new running shoes. It was nice to finally feel like I had some time to myself.

I got back to Philly late afternoon Monday and I had planned to go to ballet–but my left leg really started to ache again (out of nowhere) and I decided it was best to stay home, even though I really wanted to go. I kept having a nagging pain in it while I was working all day Tuesday, and knew I’d have to put off running for a little while longer.

Yesterday, I got a different brand of Kinesio Tape in the mail that I had ordered (KT and I occasionally don’t get along–plus I ordered tape that wasn’t precut so I could cut it to the length I wanted). My leg seems to be doing better today. My boyfriend and I were supposed to get some running in this morning–but neither of us really moved from bed (and I wasn’t sure what time the track opened at my college since everything is on reduced summer hours). But, I’ll be trekking to ballet tonight in the lovely thunderstorms they’re expecting after over a week off.

 

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