My teacher was amazed I made it through, and I have to admit that I am pretty amazed, as well.
Several times now my nearest and dearest friends and relations have grumped at me pensively "I've never even seen you dance!" as if for some reason they would actually like to witness such a thing. I was reminded of these comments last night. While attempting a ridiculous (everything is ridiculous in pointe shoes. It's like wearing cinder blocks on your feet) waltz turn combination across the floor, my teacher announced that she was giving us tougher combinations because she wanted to get us to actually dance. And I thought "Pssh! Woman! If I wanted to dance I wouldn't be in ballet class!"
If everything is ridiculous in pointe shoes, why are you taking pointe? :-)
ReplyDeleteThe occasions when I've been able to turn what so often feels like an exercise class into something that felt like dance have been very rewarding. Don't get so tied up in the execution of the steps that you forget what it's supposed to be.
there is a fine line, for me, between "oh, yes. This feels like dancing" and "oh dear. I can't remember anything that comes after the first three steps in this ridiculously long and complex combination, what is she even doing to me, I don't even, just..."
DeleteOh, and I take pointe because when I die and Old Me is confronted by all of the past versions of herself I don't want her to have to look Six Year Old Me in the eye and tell her we had that opportunity but decided to pass on it. I'm pretty sure Six Year Old Me would kick Old Me in the shins.
Delete