Going "old school"

I was working at home today and really didn't feel like driving 40 minutes each way to class. So I decided to check out my old ballet studio, the one I started at back in the spring of 2011. It's about 5 minutes from my house, or 10 if I hit all the lights. Most of the folk I knew there were gone, save one woman who helps teach kids classes during the day and still takes the adult ballet class.

This was the first time I'd been on a wood floor in close to three years, and I'd forgotten how slippery it is. I dampened the suede pads of my shoes just a bit to make them stick better and that seemed to be all I needed. Clearly my balance has improved (let's hope so!).

I'm used to 90 minute classes, and this one was only scheduled for 50 minutes. The barre combinations were incredibly simple compared to what I'm used to, and my tendus and dégagés were snappy and in sync with the music and I didn't screw up the patterns. On the other hand, trying to stand on one foot on demi-pointe for 4+ minutes straight while doing tendus and frappés with the other is more than I can do. I also attempted the first barre stretches I've done in years, and I think I managed to avoid tearing anything.

The problem with such a short class is that a nice, 35 minute barre warm-up leaves only 15 minutes for anything else. We did all of three exercises in the center. The first was like a series of half chaînés crossed with pliés in second; easier to do than to explain. The second was grand battement devant across the floor. The third was the same as the second except that it went front, side, back with little turns between so the leg continued in the same direction as the body rotated.

And that was about it.

I guess I got some exercise, and it was kinda fun to not be struggling to remember a long combination. But I don't think it'll become a regular thing.