Tuesday, April 9, 2013

How do you eat an elephant?

Raise your hand if you've already heard this one: "One bite at a time."

Saturday's Beginner II class ended with a long sequence that had several steps in the middle that I just didn't catch. I had the beginning down, but I just couldn't seem to get my weight on the correct foot, and it's damned tough to move the foot you're standing on.

Tuesday evenings are usually date nights, but my girlfriend isn't feeling well so I had the opportunity to catch the Beginner II class this evening for another try at that combo. This time I got farther: the problem sequence starts with a glissade followed by a jeté, and I was finding myself with my weight on the foot that needed to move in the jeté. With that problem addressed, the next two steps (both coupés) came fairly easily. I'm still stuck on the next step, which somehow goes from the second coupé to a little plié and immediately to a dégagé with what had been the standing leg. I can sort-of picture it in my head but my feet don't follow. Then there are two more steps I haven't figured out yet ending in an assemblé, and from there to the end I've got it.

Unlike the Beginner I classes and the Saturday Beginner II class, which consistently have 20 to 26 students, this evening we had 14. That in itself was a bit of a relief. They've also turned on the A/C to cope with the unseasonably warm temps (it was 82F outside when I arrived this evening), and while some of the women were commenting on how cool it was in the classroom, I found it refreshing. I don't think anyone was complaining about being cold by the end of class, though.

So I'm definitely out of my comfort zone again, and fighting to catch up with those at the top of the class. As I said, one bite at a time.

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