The month of June was entirely devoted to getting ready for ballet class; it made me realise that seriously training dance while cross training is incredibly difficult. I’ve cut my running down to one 15-20 minute run per week because it is near impossible to work on your turnout when your glutes and quads are have been worked in the opposite direction that you need. I’ve started taking it easier in yoga on Wednesdays so that I don’t overwork my muscles for class in the morning. I still try to keep moving as much as possible to make sure that that my muscles don’t stiffen up. But now, for the good stuff: how was my first week of ballet class?
Ballet class was wonderful. Yes, I could feel it everywhere the next day. And yes, I made mistakes and missteps. But it was absolutely fantastic.
The class is pretty full, I would say about 20 people. The studio is huge- I’ve never been so lucky as to dance in a studio with three levels of barres!! Rachelle, our teacher, is amazing. She has trained in numerous schools of ballet, and translates Cechetti technique into Royal Academy Dance for the few of us who are RAD-trained; she always stresses the importance of dancing to your comfort, ability, and fitness level; she makes sure to ask how we are doing and what we prefer; she goes out of her way to make sure we understand the nuances of the exercise. In two classes, I feel like I’ve gotten two months of knowledge.
My turnout is slowly returning, although it’s still nowhere near where it once was. The gluteus maximus and deep lateral rotators are responsible for your turnout, and I am feeling it there. However, I’m not feeling as sore as when I first started doing ballet barres on my own. My metatarsals are quite sore, but I expected as much. Feet never get a break. While I might not be dancing all day long, I am still driving and walking and standing. I’ve been stretching with my theraband each night to strengthen my feet.
Thankfully my core and arms are feeling okay! My core, back, and arms are actually stronger than when I was dancing. Turns out two years of yoga can really make a difference in your core. I feel like I am consciously engaging it now, and stability is slowly coming back to my dancing.
My mental ability is improving rapidly. Ballet is as much a mental exercise as it is physical. Those barre videos that I have been doing for a month are in the Cechetti style, so I have had some introduction now. For anyone who doesn’t know, there are different schools of ballet which emphasise different things. Cechetti emphasises quick and precise technique, while Royal Academy of Dance emphasises slow but steady progression with a focus on standard technique. I find the different timing and terminology slightly difficult sometimes, but I am enjoying working on my adaptability.
When I first stopped dancing, I needed a break. I watched the clock to find out when class would end. Now, I am surprised at how quickly time is flying and am sad to see class over. I am sore and tired at the end, but I am not decimated. I thought that I would be a floppy mess on the floor, but I am still functional by the end! Muscle memory is a real thing, and it’s making a huge difference in my dancing.
I’ve only finished one week out of five for the class, but I am hopeful that I will be able to take a class during the year! I’m currently in Level 3/4 that is for people that have 7 plus years of experience. The Level 4/5 class works in my schedule (the 3/4 during the year doesn’t), and I would love to be challenged as much as possible! Apparently previous principal dancers come in and teach the Level 4/5 class sometimes- that would be possibly the greatest dance opportunity I could dream of.
Anyways, I will stop fangirling about ballet class! It went well, and I was much stronger than I thought I would be. Onwards and upwards to week two!
If you could only chose one form of exercise, what would it be and why?
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!
