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| Nikolay Krusser via Dust jacket |
I always wanted to do ballet growing up. I'd go to watch the ballet with my dad and my heart would just about burst when the orchestra struck up and the dancers came on stage. I never gave it a go though. I knew I'd never be a dancer like that, and decided I was just to old to even try. I've since learned however that that is bollocks! Ok half bollocks...I really never will be a dancer like the ones I saw at the ballet, I dedicated my life in a different direction, but you really never are too old to enjoy something for your self and get better at something just for the pleasure of learning something different, self improvement, and yeah maybe executing a perfect pirouette at age 50. Because although we might think by the time we're 50 neither we nor anyone else will care, we'd be wrong. I remember at 18 picking up skateboarding and thinking about how I'd be like, 25 before I'd be any good, and ZOMG so old!
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| My new ballet shoes |
So yeah, for a few years now I made a whole bouquet of excuses, too old, too fat, too unfit, too uncoordinated, but in the end like I say, you really are never too old, and all the rest, just showing up and trying will take them out of the equation. Getting over embarrassment can be hard, but once you take that leap over that one hurdle, who knows what you might be able to enjoy! Me? We'll I'm now a 32 year old beginner ballerina with a great "front attitude" struggling to figure out how to "make my knees point that way". Better than a 32 year old girl signing "I wish I'd tried that".
I'm SO glad you decided to try it again! Pointe shoes are magical, and it's first when you actually start dancing in them you realize it's so much difficult - and painful - than you thought it was when you were little, watching the pretty ballerinas soar across the stage...Ballet used to be my only reason to live. Then, when I was 24, I injured myself so bad I had to be locked up in my parents home, with chronic pain, for about 6 years. Since last summer I've been able to LIVE again though - and now I'm starting to get my old ballet-muscles back! Never thought I'd be able to dance - or even walk - again, but two Saturdays from now I'll be back on stage for the first time in over 7 years! AAAAAAHHHH!!!! I'm not sure I'll ever be able to dance like I used to, but I decided to start doing burlesque instead, and incorporate the ballet I can still do, into it. So soon I'll be able to add "ballet-stripper" to my CV! ;D And I'm also 32 years old right now. Let's keep the dream alive! And you're NEVER to old to start taking ballet lessons! :) <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteWow I'm so sorry to hear about your injury, I can't even imagine what that must have been like. So glad to hear you're back dancing again though and back on stage! how exciting! best of luck for your show, I'll keep my eyes peeled for updates.
DeleteThis is wonderful, you'll have to keep us posted on your progress!
ReplyDeleteI never took ballet classes as a child, though I dearly longed to. Beginner Adult classes is something I have been looking into. Was really happy to learn that such classes exist in my city, something I plan on doing in the future :)
You so should! I was stoked that there was a class so close to where I live. I'll keep you updated with how it goes. Right now I'm still a bit sore from the 1st class >___<
DeleteI too have wanted to be in ballet. For some reason, I was consistently told I was a "quitter" because I didn't want to do softball or gymnastics after a season of each (I gave them a try, and I didn't get any equipment for either, but I made to feel like I was a money waster). Ballet was too expensive, and therefore out of the question. "We're afraid you'll just end up quitting that." my parent's told me.
ReplyDeleteAs a result, I often feel like I should just quit things "while I am ahead" I fully believe parents create slight self-fulfilling prophecies in their kids. Especially if the child holds any hope or dreams in which they are pursuing something.
TODAY I saw an article in Fitness Magazine about a Ballet DVD workout, a picture of a ballerina, and now your post. I think it's time to stop being discouraged...I am going to find a way to do ballet too!
Thank you, for the last push!
It's funny how things like this from when we are little stick in our brains so much even as adults. I'm still scared of singing after being separated off into the bad singers group in school at age 5. I'm glad this daft little post helped you decide to ahead with it too, you'll have to let me know how it goes!
Deletehats off to you for having the courage to explore and try and love what you do
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really wish I had done it sooner, but having so much fun!
DeleteBravo! That't what I call LIVING!
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