Glissades and other stuff

I really had fun at ballet class last night. The barre work is getting to be such that it's fairly routine by now and I can start concentrating on my form without worrying so much about the steps. Doing combinations on the center floor, however, offers up something new and interesting every week.

First, I finally succeeded in doing pirouettes, after three weeks of frustration, which I felt hugely proud of. Then we proceeded to do the longest combination yet so far, consisting of three elements:

1. Glissade
2. Jete in one direction
3. Jete in the opposite direction
4. Pas de bourree

The feeling of gliding across the floor is indescribable - so weightless and freeing.

At the barre

We had our first ballet class on Friday, and I am in love. It was, quite possibly, one of the most relaxing, rewarding, and satisfying learning experiences I've had. We dove right into barre exercises and then did combinations on the center floor, and I loved every minute of it.

I was also amazed because even though the last time I took ballet was when I was five years old, and I don't remember too much about it except for my pea green tutu-style leotard, my muscles seemed to recall a lot more. I instinctively remembered how I was supposed to hold my fingers while doing plies, how to point my toes during tendus, how to keep my torso straight during an arabesque. And all the while, I was concentrating so hard on following the teacher's combinations that worries and anxieties of everyday life just seemed to magically melt away.

This must be why there has been a resurgence of interest in adult ballet classes. In addition to the mental benefits, recreational ballet has tremendous physical benefits such as increasing strength and flexibility (both of which I sorely lack). It is also a wonderful cardio workout and a great part of a fitness regimen.

Check out my sister's dance blog for more ballet fun, as well as this funny and sweet New York Times article about adult ballet classes.

I can't wait for the next class!

Ballet class

I'm a little sad over summer being unofficially over, especially as it was a pretty wonderful one. But, my melancholy is mitigated by the fact that I am looking forward to taking ballet classes this fall with my sis! We both meticulously planned our dance outfits and I am going to look very New York dance studio: black footless capri tights, a gauzy little skirt, black sleeveless leotard, and a pretty pink wraparound sweater. I think I'm more excited over my outfit more than anything.

Pas de bourree, here I come!