My Return to the Dance Studio

I miss blogging about my own experiences, so about once a week or so, I’m going to return to doing so, while still bringing you tips, interviews and more throughout the week!

I finally made it back to the studio this past Thursday after a little over a month off. I was extremely worried that I was going to struggle, but Thursday’s class went well. The class was PACKED. Generally, at PDF, the classes hover around 1o people (although I’ve been in some classes as small as five or six). This class had about 18, and we had to be split up into two groups for some of our center work, and barre space was quite cramped. Still, it was an effective class and quite a workout. I can’t wait until my instructor installs a permanent barre on the wall in the back of the studio. While it will block my view of the mirror, I love permanent barres so much because they’re sturdy and you don’t have to worry about wobbling the barre or having someone else wobble the barre.

Saturday’s class (and pre-pointe class) did not go as well. I was extremely nervous about pre-pointe (because I was two classes behind); I feel as if it’s going to take a lot to get me strong enough to catch up. My brain was completely scrambled and I could not remember combinations and I felt as if I was failing at the most basic steps. I couldn’t even manage to not screw up a basic tombe pas de bourree to fourth position turn preparation because I was distracted (these felt more solid, although not perfect on Thursday). For some reason, my brain and Saturday morning class do not mix, as I never seem to be quite as focused.

Hoping for better classes in the upcoming week to make up for my disappointing weekend.

Do you prefer evening or morning classes?

 

Top 5 Blog Posts: Dance Advantage Round-Up

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I know, I’ve already posted this before, but since Dance Advantage’s monthly roundup is your top 5 posts, I figured I’d clean up this post a bit.

When I started this blog back in September, I didn’t expect to fall in love with ballet like I have now, attending four classes a week. Although it’s been a struggle (between two ankles injuries and a number of sicknesses), I’m looking forward to a new year where I won’t be so bogged down by class work and can attend even more ballet classes.

Why Should You Take Ballet Classes as An Adult? One of the very first posts I wrote for this blog, listing a lot of reasons why you should do ballet (a lot of them from readers). I’d love for this post to keep growing, so if you’ve got suggestions, add them.

Boyfriend Does Ballet I dragged my boyfriend to ballet at Koresh, and he helped write a post about it. I’m hoping to drag him to more classes in 2013.

What Was it Like to get Your First Pair of Pointe Shoes I love this post for how helpful everyone was in the comments. If you’re getting pointe shoes soon, read them.

Two Week Split Challenge: I made a plan to work on my splits with various yoga sequences and other stretching plans so that it wouldn’t get boring. It was an expansion on my 30 day challenge and a way to make the challenge really work.

Q & A with Julia and Aaron, the creators of Barre: A Real Food Bar. Julia and Aaron took some time out a few weeks ago to answer some questions for ABP.

What are some of your favorite posts YOU’VE written this past year?

(Note: a form of this has already been published. I cut it down to 5 posts for the Blog Circle at Dance Advantage.)

Core Activation and Pilates

Curso de Instructor de Pilates

Check out this link for Grown Ups at the Barre about core activation and how important it is for ballet dancers.

I completely agree with the author, there is no substitute for actually attending a Pilates class, but like she says, we’re busy adults and it’s not always possible (not to mention, sometimes crazy expensive, and shelling out for ballet classes every week can be enough of a stress on your bank account).

She links to a video on the Five Principles of Pilates as a great starting point for those who can’t make it to a real class.

Do you do workout DVDs?

A Look Back at 2012: My Favorite Posts

cropped-img_0589.jpgWhen I started this blog back in September, I didn’t expect to fall in love with ballet like I have now, attending four classes a week. Although it’s been a struggle (between two ankles injuries and a number of sicknesses), I’m looking forward to a new year where I won’t be so bogged down by class work and can attend even more ballet classes.

Since it’s the end of 2012, I figured I’d share some of my favorite posts from this blog, especially if you haven’t been reading from the start.

Why Should You Take Ballet Classes as An Adult? One of the very first posts I wrote for this blog, listing a lot of reasons why you should do ballet (a lot of them from readers). I’d love for this post to keep growing, so if you’ve got suggestions, add them.

Ballerina Profile: Legal Ballerina Legal Ballerina was the first person to be interviewed for the site, and she’s been an awesome supporter of my blog, and she’s got an awesome blog as well you should definitely check out.

30 Day Stretch Challenge Although an injury got in my way, I still hope to continue to work on my splits using the 30 Day Stretch Challenge. Hoping to come up with more ideas to make in better in 2013.

Boyfriend Does Ballet I dragged my boyfriend to ballet at Koresh, and he helped write a post about it. I’m hoping to drag him to more classes in 2013.

What Was it Like to get Your First Pair of Pointe Shoes I love this post for how helpful everyone was in the comments. If you’re getting pointe shoes soon, read them.

Guest Post: Profile of Susan Attfield from Pretoria, South Africa Susan started her own ballet studio (although she is not instructor herself) in South Africa. She’s amazing.

Guest Post: Advice for Men: Scott offers some great advice for men in the adult beginner ballet world.

Q & A with Julia and Aaron, the creators of Barre: A Real Food Bar. Julia and Aaron took some time out a few weeks ago to answer some questions for ABP.

What are some of your favorite posts YOU’VE written this past year?

 

Beginner Ballet Tips: How Not to Get Kicked In Class (and other things you should know)

Barre and mirror

Grown-Ups at the Barre is one of the best resources out there for those looking to start ballet as an adult, and I’ve linked to their post before about balletiquette. They’ve got another great one up entitled: Lessons about Ballet Class: How to NOT get Kicked in Class. Often, spacing in adult beginner ballet classes tends to be a mess, and this post gives advice on what you  can do to help space yourself out (both at the barre and in the center) and ultimately reminds the reader that it is your responsibility to do your part to make sure you don’t get kicked (Rule #1). Some of my other favorite rules include:

5. I know you like your little piece of heaven (your own personal private claimed barre space) but be prepared to move if you have to… consider it a challenge to try a different place at the barre and in the studio.

I know I’m personally guilty of this one. I like my space at the barre. But if I get moved, or someone steals my space, I suck it up and accept the challenge. Continue Reading