Boston Ballet had a sampler of their adult summer intensive program today. For the elementary class, there were so many people we were able to use studio 7! I loved every moment being able to dance in such an amazing space. For the variations class, we had to move back downstairs, though. We learned a part from Raymonda (act three). Then they had a lecture about Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. My legs were so tired I had trouble getting to the T after. I would really be interested in doing their intensive, but it's not at the location downtown. Going all the way out to Newton in time for class every day would be impossible. Hopefully, they will offer other adult variation classes at their downtown location in the future.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays I have to go to a different studio. I have been having trouble at barre, picking up some of the combinations. Everything is done at a faster pace, with no time for questions. A few weeks ago, I searched the internet for advice. This article kept popping up. I tried to apply a few of the ideas in class. I realized a key part for me though, is to only mark the combination with my hands. That way I can keep my gaze on the instructor, or the classmate he is having demonstrate what he is saying. If I try to mark with my feet, I end up looking in the mirror, trying to turnout or point my foot more. Honestly, I think that the best thing you can do is keep going to that instructor's class. That way you can eventually pick up the specific patterns they favor. Just this week I finally figured out one he favors all the time either for tendus, degages, or grand battements: four front, four side, two back, two side, front, side, back, four inside. Then reverse it, starting back. That is how I break it apart in my head also. I assume the outside leg, and only specify if I have to work my inside leg. If there is only one, I only say in my head the direction. Now that the pattern is clear to me, if cambres, balances, or lunges are added, I have an easier time remembering everything. So unfortunately for me, there isn't any quick and easy solution: just keep going to class and moving! How do you remember tough combinations? Well, the thousands of runners did a brilliant job running their race! My marathon day was a lovely mix of sleeping in, brunch, renting studio space to tap, then ballet. A perfect day off! Between the rain and people fearing the T on such a busy day, it was a small class which enabled us to have an especially fun class full of exercises everyone likes the best.
What is your favorite combination to do across the floor? I'm not very original. I love a good tombe pas de bourree, glissade, grand jete. We were able to end with that one. Broadway Dance Center just sent me an e-mail saying they miss me there, offering a discount code. I spend a week in the summer doing back to back classes making my own sort of summer intensive in New York City. While we still have thirty degree weather, I have to say I miss them too. I love Boston, but there isn't the same amount of classes available here!
Does anyone else have to deal with really stiff ankles? I've torn ligaments in my right ankle twice, but both of them can act up. I find it especially seems worse when it's rainy or cold. Last night I had back to back classes after work. I was going to put on pointe shoes for the second class, but no matter what I seemed to do, my ankles still wouldn't loosen up. One of the downsides of being an adult dancer is sometimes I have to face the fact that something isn't going to work for me on a particular night.
Most of the time I can overcome any tightness. The thing that works the best for me is to keep them warm, and to warm up slowly. I keep my Bloch warm up booties on for the first few exercises, if it's an extremely bad day. A part of me wants to go up on pointe during the first combination, or even before. I have to hold myself back and slowly work myself through pliés and foot exercises. I also use a theraband right when I wake up in the morning, and also again before class (which is at night during the week), if I have time. The book Gaynor has is wonderful if you need ideas how to use one. The band their book came with broke pretty quickly however. I use a very wide, extra long one now. LG also made me realize I tend to circle my ankles if I'm sitting reading to him. He's started doing it along with me a few weeks ago saying, "toe!" and pointing to our feet! If you struggle with this, do you have a different way to increase flexibility? Pointe was cancelled today, allowing me a little time to sort through and try to organize some of my ballet things (and start this blog!). I realized I'm once again on the last leg of my canvas flats that I use for ballet and most modern classes. I use Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers. This is my third pair, and I love these shoes, especially when they are this broken in and comfortable. The only drawback is none of the local dance shops around here sell them, so I always have to order online. This makes me always put it off. I also realized I have about thirty pairs of legwarmers, and I wear probably about five of them. Why is that? I've decided to get back into writing daily. My day revolves around babies, and dance, so I've decided to combine those two passions here!
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AuthorNanny in Boston by day, dancer by night. ArchivesCategories |