This evening I participated in my first Adult "Beginners" Ballet Class.
At first my thought was .... I will take the "beginners" class because, hell, it has been over 16 years since I have done ballet. A "beginners" class will ease me back into the routine and refresh my memory of ballet. It will be a nice way to become more active, limber, flexible and toned.
Well .... Let me tell you! It was an eye opening experience for me. First off, I was the chunky biscuit in the class - what a way to feel more over weight than I already do. We started off with some stretches; as the progressed my body screamed silently in protest! Mental note: "yup you are more out of shape than you thought you were". The toe stretches were excruciating.... my feel have definitely went to the way side and I have was amazed how easily and fast they can deteriorate without regular training.
Then, we moved onto the barre - - this wasn't to bad. I remembered all the basic feet and arm positions. I did, however, became very aware that my posture has slid down hill over the years and that I will need to focus and recondition my body while practising barre work. The leg raises were not my body's favourite as it sure felt the burn.
Once that was done we moved to the dance floor to work on and practice some step combinations, jumps and etc (the fast work of the class). I felt slow, unfit, uncoordinated as the instructor moved along in a quick pace and just plain stupid. Here I was, someone with previous dance experience fumbling to keep the up to the class and instructor; I was struggling with the jumps and just looking lost in general. I was short of breath, my knee was yelling at me with every step, my calves burned and threatened to cramp up.
At the end of the class I was sweaty, tired but exhilarated (after all I did complete the 75 minute class). But driving home I became deflated at the knowledge that my coordination is off, my memory lacks, my body not what it used to be and is laughing at me (as well as some of the other women in the class).
I will digest this all as I sleep and I will think about returning. Not because I didn't enjoy the work and exercise, but primarily from feeling fat, stupid and un-coordinated in front of strangers (who are, YES, paying close attention to what others are doing). We will see what my mood changes with this food for thought.
At first my thought was .... I will take the "beginners" class because, hell, it has been over 16 years since I have done ballet. A "beginners" class will ease me back into the routine and refresh my memory of ballet. It will be a nice way to become more active, limber, flexible and toned.
Well .... Let me tell you! It was an eye opening experience for me. First off, I was the chunky biscuit in the class - what a way to feel more over weight than I already do. We started off with some stretches; as the progressed my body screamed silently in protest! Mental note: "yup you are more out of shape than you thought you were". The toe stretches were excruciating.... my feel have definitely went to the way side and I have was amazed how easily and fast they can deteriorate without regular training.
Then, we moved onto the barre - - this wasn't to bad. I remembered all the basic feet and arm positions. I did, however, became very aware that my posture has slid down hill over the years and that I will need to focus and recondition my body while practising barre work. The leg raises were not my body's favourite as it sure felt the burn.
Once that was done we moved to the dance floor to work on and practice some step combinations, jumps and etc (the fast work of the class). I felt slow, unfit, uncoordinated as the instructor moved along in a quick pace and just plain stupid. Here I was, someone with previous dance experience fumbling to keep the up to the class and instructor; I was struggling with the jumps and just looking lost in general. I was short of breath, my knee was yelling at me with every step, my calves burned and threatened to cramp up.
At the end of the class I was sweaty, tired but exhilarated (after all I did complete the 75 minute class). But driving home I became deflated at the knowledge that my coordination is off, my memory lacks, my body not what it used to be and is laughing at me (as well as some of the other women in the class).
I will digest this all as I sleep and I will think about returning. Not because I didn't enjoy the work and exercise, but primarily from feeling fat, stupid and un-coordinated in front of strangers (who are, YES, paying close attention to what others are doing). We will see what my mood changes with this food for thought.
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