Had my first class with my new Romeo slippers. Compared to my black Cobras, the Romeos are a joy to turn on. A nice, wide, flat sole to balance on and none of the stickiness. But they're too damn small even with thinner crew socks. I think I'm going to go up a full size, to 10.5M, but I'll hunt around locally a bit more for a pair before buying online.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Motivation
For the last few weeks, after Sunday class my friend and I have wandered down the hall and spent a few minutes peeking through the door while the school prepares for next month's performances of The Nutcracker. She watches with unabashed joy. I, on the other hand, feel pleasure tinged with sadness and regret. See, there's a part of me that wishes I could be in there preparing for a performance.
What would have happened if I'd started ballet back in the mid-1960s, before I was old enough to learn that "boys don't dance, and especially not ballet"? What if I'd taken it more seriously when I did start class in the mid-1980s, and not dropped it a few years later? I highly doubt I would have gone on to a professional career in the former case, and definitely not in the latter, but neither I wouldn't be struggling to learn the basics in my 50s.
So what's the point of struggling through classes now? I'm pretty sure I could manage to have a full life if I never master a pirouette en dehors. And even if I do, will it take me somewhere?
If I wanted to sing on stage I could join a local choir. If I wanted to act I could try out for an amateur theatre company. There are plenty of options for either. But ballet? I know some of the larger schools put on performances, but they all seem to be pre-pro students. Or little kids providing their parents with a lifetime of embarrassing stories to tell. I've never heard of an amateur ballet company for adults. Is there such a thing? Is it even practical?
I don't even feel that driven to dance on stage, but it seems like there should be some purpose to all the work. Something I could achieve that's more than just moving up from the beginner to the intermediate class. Maybe the Royal Academy of Dance approach, with their multitude of levels and exams, isn't as dumb as I thought.
And just to lighten the tone of this posting...
In looking for information on the RAD program structure, I followed a link that listed RAD-registered teachers and studios in the USA. One school's website struck me as rather odd. I'm guessing that someone started with a template of some sort and only partly converted it. Otherwise the following "testimonials" make no sense:
Ok, I take it back. It still makes no sense. But is sure is funny!
What would have happened if I'd started ballet back in the mid-1960s, before I was old enough to learn that "boys don't dance, and especially not ballet"? What if I'd taken it more seriously when I did start class in the mid-1980s, and not dropped it a few years later? I highly doubt I would have gone on to a professional career in the former case, and definitely not in the latter, but neither I wouldn't be struggling to learn the basics in my 50s.
So what's the point of struggling through classes now? I'm pretty sure I could manage to have a full life if I never master a pirouette en dehors. And even if I do, will it take me somewhere?
If I wanted to sing on stage I could join a local choir. If I wanted to act I could try out for an amateur theatre company. There are plenty of options for either. But ballet? I know some of the larger schools put on performances, but they all seem to be pre-pro students. Or little kids providing their parents with a lifetime of embarrassing stories to tell. I've never heard of an amateur ballet company for adults. Is there such a thing? Is it even practical?
I don't even feel that driven to dance on stage, but it seems like there should be some purpose to all the work. Something I could achieve that's more than just moving up from the beginner to the intermediate class. Maybe the Royal Academy of Dance approach, with their multitude of levels and exams, isn't as dumb as I thought.
And just to lighten the tone of this posting...
In looking for information on the RAD program structure, I followed a link that listed RAD-registered teachers and studios in the USA. One school's website struck me as rather odd. I'm guessing that someone started with a template of some sort and only partly converted it. Otherwise the following "testimonials" make no sense:
"Having been out of the workforce 20 years raising my children, Twinbrook School of Ballet gave me the education to re-enter the job market. Thanks to Twinbrook School of Ballet, I landed a job on my second interview. My new employer was very impressed with my diploma from Twinbrook School of Ballet."
I can learn the latest programming languages while taking ballet? Who knew? But how does the "Biochemistry 101" class they offer fit into the RAD curriculum?"Computer technology had passed me by. Thanks to Twinbrook School of Ballet I am now certified in the latest program languages, and got a nice promotion at work."
Ok, I take it back. It still makes no sense. But is sure is funny!
The good and the bad
I got the elastics sewn on my new slippers last night, and I woke up in plenty of time to make it to this morning's Floor Barre class. With the young-uns off for the week it was quieter than I've seen it before. Rather than having to thread my way though knots of students clogging the hallways I was able to walk straight into the empty studio 15 minutes early and warm up.
Testing out my new Romeo slippers I was delighted to find that the larger suede forefoot pad does feel more stable, and turning is easier than before. Attempting a couple turns from seconde I was able to get all of them three quarters around, and a few all the way around, without feeling like I was sticking. Yet I didn't feel like I was going to slip at all. I'd be jumping up and down with excitement except for one thing: with socks on they're just a bit too short. Not as tight as the white Cobras, but tighter than the black Cobras. I'm guessing it's because these are 9.5M rather than 9.5W, and the extra width was being stretched into extra length.
Class itself was good, in a masochistic sort of way. Because of the holiday tomorrow we had a substitute instructor, who turned out to be the same substitute instructor for my Wednesday night class at a different school. She usually teaches at yet another school in the city; yet more proof the world is a small place. She worked us hard, leaving me shaking from exertion at times, no mean feat given that I spent most of the time laying down. I think a lot of that effort went into fighting my own overly-tight hip flexors, quads and hamstrings. Gotta work on that!
After class I visited a new (to me) dancewear store near the school. They advertise carrying the Romeo slippers, and I was hoping they might have them in a larger size. They did have a 10M, but only in black. I tried them on just to check and they were definitely more comfortable, but might still be a bit snug. I asked about a 10.5M, but the next size they had was an 11.5M which was way too large. Before I buy yet another pair online I want to see if these stretch at all (they're canvas, not leather, so I'm not hopeful). I also want to try some thinner socks — these were crew socks with fairly thick padding. Fortunately these are $20 slippers, not $60 pointes!
Testing out my new Romeo slippers I was delighted to find that the larger suede forefoot pad does feel more stable, and turning is easier than before. Attempting a couple turns from seconde I was able to get all of them three quarters around, and a few all the way around, without feeling like I was sticking. Yet I didn't feel like I was going to slip at all. I'd be jumping up and down with excitement except for one thing: with socks on they're just a bit too short. Not as tight as the white Cobras, but tighter than the black Cobras. I'm guessing it's because these are 9.5M rather than 9.5W, and the extra width was being stretched into extra length.
Class itself was good, in a masochistic sort of way. Because of the holiday tomorrow we had a substitute instructor, who turned out to be the same substitute instructor for my Wednesday night class at a different school. She usually teaches at yet another school in the city; yet more proof the world is a small place. She worked us hard, leaving me shaking from exertion at times, no mean feat given that I spent most of the time laying down. I think a lot of that effort went into fighting my own overly-tight hip flexors, quads and hamstrings. Gotta work on that!
After class I visited a new (to me) dancewear store near the school. They advertise carrying the Romeo slippers, and I was hoping they might have them in a larger size. They did have a 10M, but only in black. I tried them on just to check and they were definitely more comfortable, but might still be a bit snug. I asked about a 10.5M, but the next size they had was an 11.5M which was way too large. Before I buy yet another pair online I want to see if these stretch at all (they're canvas, not leather, so I'm not hopeful). I also want to try some thinner socks — these were crew socks with fairly thick padding. Fortunately these are $20 slippers, not $60 pointes!
Monday, November 19, 2012
New Capezio Romeo slippers
As I wrote in my posting Sticky floors, sticky shoes, I decided I needed a new pair of shoes for use on the Marley floors found in the more ballet-focused studios where I've started taking classes. I wanted to get a new pair of Capezio Cobras, just like the ones I had.
In the mean time, though, Capezio has discontinued the Cobras.
Is this starting to sound like one of those "hunting for the perfect pointe shoe" blog entries? Ladies, I empathize with you. I don't have nearly the same difficulties, but it's getting hard to find a local dancewear store that stocks gear for men. I could probably go to New York City and find them, but the cost of the trip will buy a lot of $20 mistakes.
Last week, with some trepidation, I ordered a pair of Capezio Romeo slippers, which appear to have replaced the Cobra. They showed up in the mail today. Here's a comparison of the two.
Floor Barre
A while ago I came across a mention of this thing called Floor Barre®. As it was described, it's kind of like barre exercises done while laying on the floor. It's someone's registered trademark, hence the ®, which means only certified instructors can teach it. I filed it away in my mental warehouse of useless trivia.
I'm off work this week, and two of the three classes I'd normally take are canceled due to the US Thanksgiving holiday. Looking at the class schedules at the various studios I discovered that one of them offers a Floor Barre class Monday and Wednesday this week. So rather than sleeping in this morning, I got up and went to class.
As it turns out, the class is exactly as advertised. The focus is on training the body to take on proper alignment while in a position where you're not fighting for balance, and mostly not fighting gravity, and a comfortably slow pace. I sort-of expected it to be hokey, but it's surprisingly good. The instructor was very good, and as the new (and only) guy I got my fair share of attention (if not more). This instructor is very hands-on, and not shy to encourage you to take the proper position by gently moving your foot, leg or arm.
There are a few mental challenges you might not expect, like how to do an échappé while laying on your side (why she didn't just say "move to seconde" I don't understand). A lesser problem was when she said "arms to third" — I'm still learning port de bras and third isn't an arm position I knew — but that was resolved easily enough.
The instructor and one of the regular students told me I did really well for a first time. I may try to get down here for the Wednesday class too. Shame it's only offered mid-day on weekdays at a location that's impractically far from work.
I'd catalog all the various new places I've discovered can ache after class except that I got Shanghaied into a Stretch class that started shortly after Floor Barre finished. That created a whole new set of aches overlaid on the first, so it'd be hard to separate them.
I'm off work this week, and two of the three classes I'd normally take are canceled due to the US Thanksgiving holiday. Looking at the class schedules at the various studios I discovered that one of them offers a Floor Barre class Monday and Wednesday this week. So rather than sleeping in this morning, I got up and went to class.
As it turns out, the class is exactly as advertised. The focus is on training the body to take on proper alignment while in a position where you're not fighting for balance, and mostly not fighting gravity, and a comfortably slow pace. I sort-of expected it to be hokey, but it's surprisingly good. The instructor was very good, and as the new (and only) guy I got my fair share of attention (if not more). This instructor is very hands-on, and not shy to encourage you to take the proper position by gently moving your foot, leg or arm.
There are a few mental challenges you might not expect, like how to do an échappé while laying on your side (why she didn't just say "move to seconde" I don't understand). A lesser problem was when she said "arms to third" — I'm still learning port de bras and third isn't an arm position I knew — but that was resolved easily enough.
The instructor and one of the regular students told me I did really well for a first time. I may try to get down here for the Wednesday class too. Shame it's only offered mid-day on weekdays at a location that's impractically far from work.
I'd catalog all the various new places I've discovered can ache after class except that I got Shanghaied into a Stretch class that started shortly after Floor Barre finished. That created a whole new set of aches overlaid on the first, so it'd be hard to separate them.
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