Chasing Joy

Ready For My Tutu. Taking An Adult Ballet Class

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Ready for my tutuThe first thing I decided to try on my list was Ballet. I’ve always wanted to try it. I did not have the opportunity to do it as a little girl. I knew there were adult classes available but until now I’d not had the courage to try it. As you see from my list of potential Joy invoking activities one of my desires is to fit into a single digit dress size (size 9 would do). So obviously I do not resemble your typical ballerina. I’d imagined myself walking into an adult ballet class and having the instructor take one look at me, refund my registration fee and confiscating my ballet slippers. Since the definition of Joy does not include word Fear I decided afraid or not, I’d try it.

The first hurdle I had to get over was purchasing my Ballet Slippers. As I drove to the Prima Soft store my stomach was in knots as I imagined the sales person refusing to sell me the shoes and telling me I clearly could never be a ballerina. I knew it was in irrational thought but I still had to get passed it. I got my Ballet Slippers. She fit me for my Slippers and even sold me some tights and tried to sell me a leotard assuring me everything would fit. The tights did not fit. But I realized I already had some that were almost the same as the ones real ballerinas wear.

The first adult ballet class was a couple nights later. Again, I ignored my irrational fears and went to class. It was a very positive experience. It was both challenging and rewarding. Ballet is all about controlling every part of your body as you move and being aware of your posture and body position all the time. There were only three of us in the class so we got a good amount of individual attention. We learned the 1st through 5th positions for the feet and arms, Plie, Tendu, Rond de Jambe, Degage, Fouette, Grand Battement, releve, and a few other moves whose names escape me. These positions and movements exercised totally different muscles than my normal treadmill or strength training workout. As a matter of fact I was just a little bit sore the next day. Ballet turned out to be a good workout. But more importantly I felt graceful, feminine, strong, and most importantly fulfilled for having stepped out of my comfort zone, faced my fears, and tried something I’ve always wanted to do. Joy… I’m closing the gap soon I’ll have chased you down.

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Comments

  5. Congrats to you! We all have fears of doing certain things and I bet you are so glad you pushed through it! It is usually our own fears that hold us back. Love your blog!

  6. I never did ballet and would be intimidated to start – I love that your fears didn't let you get in the way 🙂 Happy SITS Day!

  7. Yeah Ballet, I have done it on and off for years and years. I would recommend a beginner class for anyone! Way to overcome your fears and go after it!

  10. That is awesome! I watch my daughter's love of ballet and remember my joy in it as a child, but I would never be brave enough to take a class at this point. I salute you!!

  12. I love love love this! Way to chase that joy! I have always wanted to learn tap. It is not in the budget :-/ One day I am going to make it a part of the budget. I hope you are still enjoying the class!

  17. That's awesome! Good for you for having the courage to step out of your comfort zone. I look forward to reading more from you!
    Happy SITS!

  20. It's amazing how every type of movement uses different muscles. 3 students sounds good for such an exacting dance type. I'm glad you made your goal. Enjoyed your post. Have a great SITS Day.

  21. LOVE that you did this! 🙂 I was a clogger back in high school. I never tried any others, although I love to dance!! Happy SITS day!

  25. I would love to do something like this. I'm not even sure I realized there were adult dance classes. You've inspired me to look in to it! Happy SITS Day to you!

  27. I'm so happy for you that you made it to class! I took up ballet as an adult and absolutely loved it. As you said – it made me feel graceful and strong and just plain awesome. Totally doesn't matter that we'll never be prima ballerinas at Lincoln Center 🙂

  30. That was totally courageous of you!

    I remember when I first attended a lindy hop class many years ago. Of course I had no idea what I was doing and was ashamed to attend but I forced myself. It was loads of fun – and that one class led to other things: new friends, fun exercise, discovery of new music, and most importantly, meeting my husband at a salsa dance.

    • That's so nice Amy. Isn't it interesting how little choices end up being life changing. Imagine if you decided not to take the class.

  31. Ahhhhh! Ballet. Oh how Ive missed it. Many do not know I danced from the ages of 3-16. My first solo was when I was 7yrs old. It is an awesome experience. I loved pointe! And still today I am very graceful. It never leaves you. Embrace it. Wow you took me back. So many years so many solos, trophies…my rm at my moms is a shine. You just never know the things you have in common with someone. #feelingconnected!

  33. How awesome is that!!! Girl, I'd have the same fears! They'd take one look at me and be like, "Who invited the Hippo to class?" I believe in pushing past our fears to do the things we want to do, no matter what others think or say! Awesome post!!

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