10 ballet classes in 5 weeks ~ May 17th marked the last day of my beginner ballet workshop at Joffrey Ballet School. Going in to this, I have to admit I was a little nervous. I’m a 36 year old mother of three, that tests software for a living, take guitar lessons during lunch, attempt to cook dinner every night, planning my wedding, and run a nonprofit organization. Could I really afford to take two ballet classes a week? Not just financially, but did I really have any more time in the week that could be devoted to pliés, rond dé jambe, and tendu? Not really, but with the support of my family, every Monday (8:30 -10pm) and Friday (7 – 8:30pm) evening for 5 weeks, I did just that.
Every night going into class, I felt like this:
Ashley of Dance Theatre of Harlem - image found on Google
However leaving class was more like…
I took a drop in class for beginners this week, since I was able to score 5 classes for $39 on Amazon Local and left out feeling more like this:
I probably should have enrolled in the Beginner Ballet Workshop Part II, but my wedding is in 7 weeks, so penny pinching is a MUST!
I won’t quit though. I want to really work at this even though I know I won’t ever grace anyone’s stage to perform. I want to commit myself to the things that I love; outside of caring for my family. There’s a part of me that feels fulfilled whenever I get the chance to indulge in some “me” time. There’s also some guilt laced with fear inside of me as well, but once Marina (Joffrey’s pianist) begans to play, I lose myself. At the barré, my mind stops, no more going over my to do list or planning out dinner for the week. Inhale. My arms instantly go to first position. Exhale. On Marina’s cue and Jessica’s lead, my arms open up to second. The hard part is over (getting to class), now to follow through with “energy” as Jessica says.
Next class on Tuesday!
