Point your tootsies

After missing a week of Ballet at the Barre due to being stuck at work in a boring training course, I was back to it on Wednesday, pink leotard in tow!

This week I was a little nervous about our warm up section because I KNOW I keep turning my head the wrong way and then don’t know which arm I’m supposed to be reaching up and over with. Martin stopped us last time and ran through it again, and I thought it had gone into my brain. Not sure it had! Anyway, I have since practised that bit at home.

This week’s feedback was on my hip alignment (need to keep an eye on that when working the outside leg in say, ronde de jambe) and on the need to remember to point my toes during changement. I love jumps, but I did find this one quite challenging! I think it was the speed of getting in and out of 5th position more than anything. I need to make more use of the barre to get height. Another thing to practice at home!

A helpful article from Dance Spirit Magazine: https://www.dancespirit.com/how-to/ballet/hop_to_it_/

Definition: A changement is when a dancer performs a jump from fifth position with the feet, jumping and changing the foot position in the air so they land with the opposite foot in front. (From Ballet Hub – https://ballethub.com/ballet-term/changement/ )

Leotard Love

Gotta love a leo
Gotta love a leo

I never thought I’d want to wear a leotard to ballet, as nice as they look. I think for many adult beginners, the thought of clingy, revealing clothing is a little unsettling, especially if you are just going to wear it with tights.

But after enrolling on Ballet again this Spring, I decided to order a basic navy one from Move Dancewear and try it out. Well, I am truly converted! The best thing about them, I think, is that they stay in place, so you don’t have to keep pulling your top down when your arms are in the air and so on. However, I haven’t worn mine with tights just yet…I wear capri style LA Gear sweat pants over mine, plus a black wrap cardigan, unless it’s hot.

You would be used to wearing them in formal classes with tights because it enables the teacher to see your lines properly. But in adult beginner classes, teachers tend to be flexible about clothing.

My most recent purchase was another leotard in pink!

 

 

What’s in my Dance Bag?

My dance bag...exploded

My dance bag…exploded…with feline

In my dance bag I keep:

  • Leotard (or top)
  • Ballet/Jazz/Tap shoes/Dance sneakers
  • Ballet wrap cardigan
  • Leggings/capri pants
  • Tracksuit bottoms for the way home
  • Trainers/boots for the way home
  • Deodorant
  • Razor
  • Shower gel
  • Peppermint foot spray
  • Foot balm
  • Moisturiser
  • Water bottle
  • Sports Bra
  • Leg warmers
  • Black socks
  • Towel
  • Wet wipes
  • Hair bands/grips
  • Post-class snacks

Anything missing?