Real World Lessons I’ve Learned in Ballet Class
What I've learned after one year back returning to ballet as an adult - after 25 years out of the studio.
Ballet is really fucking hard.
I don’t know how I did it as a kid. 4 days week at the dance studio by the time I was a young teen - meanwhile now a single class in my mid-thirties at an hour and 15mins one a week sometimes kills my lower back (in a good way most of the time - if you know, you know) for the following couple days.
Life lessons I’ve learned in class that you should also use in the real world with me:
It’s freeing to not give a single fuck - I am for the first time in my life dancing only for me - not for my family who is paying, not for some teacher, or for some “dream” of being a professional. But just for me.
Hobbies really are actually important - so find something that you like to do whether you’re good or not. That’s why you practice or take classes. You don’t have to be great at first. It’s okay to fail, just keep trying. Art is subjective anyway.
I love standing at the front during center floor - even I mess up - who cares, I don’t. - I give you permission to suck if that’s what you need (we can suck at at our hobbies together). <3
I’m still really fast at picking up and remembering combinations - this maybe isn’t too surprising to anyone who has met me and seen me remember and juggle things like event planning or appointment reminders. All the tiny detail - I thrive on that.
I’ve made new (dance) friends - I’ve yet to take them up on it because I’m a sweaty mess but I have been invited out after class. Maybe one day lol.
My body doesn’t hurt ALL THE TIME - (putting aside the slight discomfort the day after class every week) It was getting so bad last year, that I would take ibuprofen as soon as I got up, and then like a clock during the day just so my knees would be okay-ish. The joys of being hypermobile and having joint instability.
I can feel (and see) my flexibility coming back - I’ve always been flexible but some of what I’d lost has returned. The perk of hypermobility, especially as kid, was natural flexibility, open hips, a bendy back and shoulders. Building muscle as a way to re-strengthen the joints that need some extra support as been so incredibly helpful.
Reclaiming my childhood... or something like that.
I don’t have plans to stop any time soon.
I’ve quite enjoyed getting back into the studio, except this time for fun. Last time, when I was kid/teen - I was expected to be good … all the time. I was one of the oldest at the studio with the little ones looking up to me and watching. My family watching (and paying). The instructors too.
Now I’m just another face in the crowd and no one really knows who I am there and it’s kind of great in it’s own way. The beginner adult classes don’t do any performances so they are literally no pressure - just fun.
This makes me want to start taking cello lessons again, or find a local amateur ensemble to play in.