For the first time since the 22nd of last month, I managed to get to class. This was the "Level 1" class at the Raleigh School of Ballet, which presented not huge challenges but may have been just what I needed after almost a month off the floor. I came close to skipping it, as the siren call of my hotel bed was strong, but I'm glad I didn't.
I was a bit surprised to find that the instructor remembered me, given that I haven't been there but once before, and that was a couple months ago. Then again, male ballet students aren't exactly common in these parts. Yet there was another man in tonight's class! I'll admit to a twinge of competitiveness, and I think I may be a bit better. But both of us were pretty clearly near the top of the class tonight.
I was a bit hesitant to attempt even a simple pirouette en dehor tonight, not wanting to totally botch it from lack of practice. But when I tried it, it worked quite well in both directions. I even attempted a few fouette turns, and they worked better than I remember from class last month. Hmmm... Gonna have to ponder possible explanations for that sometime.
I was a bit surprised to find that the instructor remembered me, given that I haven't been there but once before, and that was a couple months ago. Then again, male ballet students aren't exactly common in these parts. Yet there was another man in tonight's class! I'll admit to a twinge of competitiveness, and I think I may be a bit better. But both of us were pretty clearly near the top of the class tonight.
I was a bit hesitant to attempt even a simple pirouette en dehor tonight, not wanting to totally botch it from lack of practice. But when I tried it, it worked quite well in both directions. I even attempted a few fouette turns, and they worked better than I remember from class last month. Hmmm... Gonna have to ponder possible explanations for that sometime.
My hypothesis is that a bit of a layoff gives the body a chance to rest up AND the mind a chance to reset from any anxieties and bad patterns that have been building up...then coming back feels like a bit of a fresh start and sometimes things work better (like pirouettes!). I'm glad you had a good class!
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