52 Firsts: From Belly Dancing to Ballet

Saturday, 1 March 2014

From Belly Dancing to Ballet

I have to thank my friend Sarah. Not only did she invite me along to one of her favourite weeknight escapes but she also seems to be that friend that whatever we do it involves a bar of some sort. Not of the cocktail variety per se, but of the solid material type .... First it was pole dancing and then came, ballet!

(Sarah looking strong and graceful!)

Not more than a few days after shimming and gyrating did I find myself, (sort of) posture perfect and plié-ing my way to better health...

This is what it's supposed to look like:

This is what I had going on:

And then there were the foot positions...

(First position!)

(Second position!)

(Third! .... I won't even bother with Fourth... Never mind Fifth...)

But that's not the point! It's about strength and movement and fluidity in its own right!

I felt tall and elegant as our instructor (and founder) Suzy, bubbly, full of life and encouragement, Suzy moved us through a barre warmup to upbeat electronic music. A really fun, modern approach; a cool juxtaposition!

As we worked through some positions; up and down and up and down and up...and again.... the image in my mind was of myself as an accomplished ballerina; flexible and graceful and long and lean. After all, that's what I was looking at as I mimicked Suzy's movements! I am a mirror of Suzy!

(Suzy)

(Uhhh.... Not quite, eh?)

That is until I happen to glance at the actual mirror. Don't look! Who cares! I got to prance across the floor! My legs, my core! And the whimsical tales of tutus floating through my head! Never mind the exercise and the fact that my brain loved the challenge. To dance is always to feel free, no matter how awkward. I always forget how much I enjoy it!