On a whim, I took Ballet 1 this semester.
I thought it would be a fun, easy class that would relieve some stress. I was right with it being fun and relaxing, but ballet is so not easy! Reflecting back on the semester, I see some changes within myself.
1. You can't force your turnout. Well you can, but you really shouldn't!
A ballet dancer's turnout is dependent on how deeply curved their hip joints are, so you only have as deep a turnout as your hip joint. Over turning out can actually really hurt!
2. I am only really as flexible as I am.
Yes, you can make yourself a little more flexible with stretching, which I have! But if you aren't as flexible as some in your class, THAT IS OKAY! Everyone is different!
3. My self-confidence has improved!
Not as radically as I would've liked, but it has! The other day I left the dance studio in my leotard, which I NEVER would've done at the beginning of the semester.
4. Ballet really is 80% mental, 20% physical.
Whether it's comparing myself to other dancers or psyching myself out of a jump, I immediately become unable to do a move I was just doing before I thought about what I look like.
5. I can hold my leg up above my hips...
But only with the help of the bar. MAN DOES IT HURT!
Yep. Can't do that. NOPE!
6. Everything hurts.
I hadn't thought about the physical toll ballet would have on my body. There have been days where I cannot walk the day after doing jumps. It's rough.
7. Leotards take getting used to.
Yes, we all look like hot messes, but at least we are doing it all together. I've noticed myself fidgeting a lot less with my leotard as the semester has gone on though!
8. I have no idea what's going on half the time.
9. I leave my stress at the door.
Or at least, I try to.
10. Lastly, and most importantly, I learned ballet!
While I am not taking ballet again next semester, I'm really happy that I took the class. Yes, it has been exhausting, but it's been so worth it.
And the only reason I'm not taking ballet next semester, is because I'm taking jazz dance instead!
