Learning to Pirouette

Evolution of a Pirouette

Photo –陈文 via Flikr

Every storm yields something good, even if, while you’re riding it out, it seems devastating. Your world might be turned upside down for awhile, but eventually it rights itself, even if the landscape is unrecognizable for a bit.

Frankly, you often need your world upended so you’ll get off your duff and move. Storms happen, and the devastation is more widespread when you become too complacent and fail to continue evolving. Let’s face it. You can’t sit on that mushroom reading fairy tales forever.

COVID created a storm neither I, nor anyone else was prepared for. It shook the world’s of everyone on Earth. I doubt anyone escaped unscathed as the virus raged, traveling from country to country unchecked until vaccines started hitting the market. As the world slowly emerges from lock downs, many things have changed, and what was considered normal 16 months ago is dramatically different today.

A Journey Begins With A Single Plie

One of the changes I made near the beginning of the lock down was to replace

Photo – Shari via Flikr

my thrice-weekly gym visits with Zoom ballet classes. Admittedly, I waited about a month before recognizing I’d better find something else; I had to literally move it or lose it. I started off slowly, taking two classes a week in the evenings. Ultimately, I added the Friday afternoon class as well.

It’s been a long journey during which I’ve gained strength, flexibility, and balance, but I still have a long way to go. When I started out, balancing on one leg, even flat-footed wasn’t happening. Slowly, but surely, I grew stronger, and became more aware of what my body was doing, until I’m successful more often than not these days. Balancing on my toes, even on both feet was another challenge I faced, and though it, too is not perfect, I’m learning where and what to adjust to keep me lifted and balanced.

My biggest hurdle so far is the pirouette. The first step (I soon learned) was being able to hold a passe while on my toes long enough for the turn to happen. There are so many things that go into preparing to do a turn. I was completely clueless when I began. It isn’t just balancing on the toes of one foot while turning; a monumental task, especially given my less-than-svelte physique. You have to put a number of things together including momentum, balance, and holding all your body parts in the proper position. There are days it’s a tossup whether my brain or my body is more fried at the end of a 90-minute class.

Improvements in Every Area

I’ve noticed changes in my body, my life, and in everything I do since undertaking the thrice-weekly ballet classes. My balance is better, and despite a nasty bout of arthritis in one knee which has taken up permanent residence in both these days, I’m both more flexible and more resilient.

I admit, there are days I hurt all over after one of the tougher classes (I’m the only rank beginner in the group, so although I modify like crazy, the classes are tough and challenging), but within a day or two, the aches are gone. Sounds crazy, I know, but my body recovers more quickly whether it’s overwork, or my arthritic knees.

Knowing I’ll be moving and pushing my body to its limits at least three days a week is a powerful motivator if something keeps hurting. I am more likely to get on the floor and stretch, or use my Miracle Balls to work out the kinks in my shoulders and neck than I used to be, if for no other reason than I’ll be working those muscles again, and am more successful when I’m not in pain.

All Dancing Benefits from Ballet

Even my line dancing has benefited from the changes. I was dancing on a tennis court in sneakers a few weeks ago, and as long as I kept the mantra “Turns go up!” in my brain, I didn’t have to modify the dances to save my knees. I’m learning by taking my turns up instead of trying to torque my body around, the turns are smoother, and my knees less stressed no matter how rough the surface under my feet.

Though I hadn’t done a two-step in over a year, I was more relaxed, and up on the balls of my feet thanks to the added strength I’d acquired from 16 months of ballet. Where I used to struggle to stay off my heels while dancing, it’s becoming second nature, and makes me move more smoothly while two-stepping or line dancing. Even my West Coast Swing seemed more effortless than it used to.

I think the biggest change of all has been an absence of back pain which used to be my constant companion. Between the improved posture, flexibility in my knees and calves which allows me to squat instead of bend, and regular stretching, my back is happier than it’s been in years. Best of all, I’m more in touch with my body, and have a better idea of how to give it what it needs when something is tight or painful.

Proof is in the Small Improvements

Though I may not master the pirouette before Zoom ballet classes end, I’ve gained so much from the experience, and, the weight gods willing, my body image will improve enough to allow me to put on a leotard and continue the classes in person. Meanwhile, I’m finally able to add gym workouts and strength training back into my schedule.

Though I may have to start with lighter weights, I know the ballet has helped prevent muscles from going slack from lack of use. Truth be told, I’ve never done anything that used every, single muscle in my body in ways I didn’t even know they could be used.

COVID caused many changes in my life and lifestyle, but adding ballet has been one of the biggest blessings to come out of the long months of lock down.

 

Grateful for the Changes

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for circumstances which allowed me to re-discover ballet as an adult.
2. I’m grateful for my tendency to resist stagnation far more than my brain wants to resist change.
3. I’m grateful for changes in my life; both the ones I chose, and the ones that were forced on me.
4. I’m grateful for new opportunities to keep myself healthy, resilient, and strong.
5. I’m grateful for abundance; independence, health, balance, flexibility, strength, well-being, inspiration, motivation, dedication, self-love, friendship, love, joy, happiness, harmony, peace, philanthropy, and prosperity.

Namaste

 

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.

If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook as Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author