Pique Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Hi guys--Glad I found this place! I (like a million others) took ballet as a very young child. The teacher, well known in my area for decades, was VERY serious and VERY scary (big stick that the tapped your butt and tummy with, lots of criticism and very little positive reinforcement, etc). I took from age 6-9 and then couldn't hack it anymore--she just stressed me out too much, LOL! But I never stopped loving ballet and following it. I read all the dance novels, own all the dance movies, attend performances when I can, etc. I took adult classes for a while during college and grad school. But I haven't taken any classes for more than 20 years. Having recently lost a bunch of weight, I'm inspired in my late 40s to try again! So I'm starting adult classes! I had planned to start in the Fall, but I may go to a class tomorrow--trying to find out if that's OK. I have the clothes and I'm ready to go! Anyway, just wanted to say hi. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions. My immediate query is this: My canvas split-sole shoes came w/ criss-cross elastics that are NOT sewn on at the back. I know where the front part of the elastic should go but I'm not sure exactly where I put the BACK part? Just hold them on and find a good spot? Or is there a landmark somewhere? Thanks! (These are by Bodywrappers--I wanted Blochs but the store didn't have canvas Blochs and I figured these were fine for starters--I was afraid to order online w/out knowing what size I would wear). Quote Link to comment
Hamorah Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Welcome - hope you have fun! Try folding down the back of the shoe and sewing the elastics on each side where the fold reaches. This is so difficult to explain clearly, hope you get what I mean! I use this method for sewing single elastics, so if it seems too far forward because the elastics are crossed, then move them a little further back, but not too much. Do not sew the front elastics too far forward - that is a real no-no! Quote Link to comment
Balletlove Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 Welcome Pique, I hope that you are able to go to class and that you have a WONDERFUL time and love it as much as I do.... My Sansha canvas shoes come with the elastic attached at the back and it is 1 inch (2,5cm) from the centre back of the shoe. I would then attach the front piece of the crossed elastic about 2 inches (5cm) from the centre front of the shoe where the drawstring is. Quote Link to comment
Pique Posted July 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) My Sansha canvas shoes come with the elastic attached at the back and it is 1 inch (2,5cm) from the centre back of the shoe. I would then attach the front piece of the crossed elastic about 2 inches (5cm) from the centre front of the shoe where the drawstring is. I probably put it about there. They are comfy and stays on nicely so hopefully I did it right, LOL. Mine had a card in there saying that their shoes fit so perfectly that you don't need elastic, so try w/out first--I assume that's why they didn't attach the back pieces the way most do w/ canvas shoes? Anyway, I am happy to have the elastic and wasn't about to go to class w/out it and then find out I needed it! So I sewed it on. So excited about tonight!! Edited July 14, 2011 by Pique Quote Link to comment
mermaid7176 Posted July 15, 2011 Report Share Posted July 15, 2011 Hope you had a good class. Having recently returned to dance as an adult myself, I know how exciting that first class can be and hope that you enjoyed it! Quote Link to comment
Pique Posted July 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) OMG it was GREAT!!!! It's summer (and these classes are offered through a university (non-degree) program), so it was a tiny class. One of the girls was clearly advanced but taking this class b/c of an injury and the other was certainly beyond me, but I kept up pretty well at the barre. When we did center work I fell apart--I am just not used to both moving AND thinking that quickly at the same time, LOL, and I didn't keep up w/ the combinations. But the teacher (used to dance w/ local very good pro company until she was injured) told me to just keep moving and it will eventually get better. So I did--didn't get better YET, but practice makes perfect. I knew my flexibility isn't what it once was, but OMG I can hardly get my leg up. <sigh> I'm in extremely good shape for 48, but given that I never developed real turnout (since I quit so young), and now I'm no longer a spring chicken, I guess it's just a fact that I will never be able to get a my leg up much above my knee. It was great having so few people b/c everyone got individual attention. She corrected my tendu and when I tried again she said it was "Gorgeous!" Amazing how far that will take you, LOL! She also told me I have great feet (which I knew from my dancer friends who have always envied my feet, but even so it was nice to hear). I'm sure it's hard for such an accomplished and beautiful dancer (I've seen her in several performances and stayed after class to watch the advanced class, which she took) to have to teach folks like me, but she takes everyone seriously and is a stickler for correct work. I think I lucked out! Once the Fall semester starts I think I'll take 2 classes a week--this one and ballet basics. There is only 1 beginning ballet class offered a week and I'd like 2--the basics class is more remedial, but let's face it, I need that, LOL. 90% of my ballet "training" (if you can even call it that) took place between ages 7-9, so it's been a REAAALLLY long time. The positions and steps DO come back, but through a fog, and since I was so little when I did most of my learning, I wasn't really learning too much stuff at that poin anyway. My later classes were when I was an adult but were short-lived. Anyway, it was great! I'm not sore today but expect to be in agony by tomorrow, LOL. Edited July 15, 2011 by Pique Quote Link to comment
olddude Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Just a "welcome" note here. I've been dancing for nearly 8 years now, and I've seen a good many late re-starters. They all think they are starting at the beginning and have no remnant of their young training, but they all pass me by in a year or two - that early muscle memory really counts for a lot, and I regret that I'll never have that. By the way, I started at 56 (after losing some weight <sheepish grin>) with no dance background at all. Ever. Trust me, if I can do this then anyone can! I took class for more than a year before someone told me it was not only possible but OK to take more than one class a week. That second class made a huge difference, so bravo for stepping up to the plate! Quote Link to comment
Redbookish Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 I kept up pretty well at the barre. When we did center work I fell apart--I am just not used to both moving AND thinking that quickly at the same time[edit] Anyway, it was great! I'm not sore today but expect to be in agony by tomorrow, LOL. Sounds great! And welcome to BT4D. You've found a community here who understand exactly what you are doing! enjoy the journey. About the next day soreness: it's generally the day after the day after, in my experience. So make sure you do some gentle exercise -- swimming, a vigorous walk, or such like -- the day after, and that will stop the agony the second day after. Quote Link to comment
Pique Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 About the next day soreness: it's generally the day after the day after, in my experience. So make sure you do some gentle exercise -- swimming, a vigorous walk, or such like -- the day after, and that will stop the agony the second day after. It really wasn't too bad! I was expecting more, since my main exercise is riding and that uses entirely different muscles from ballet. I had some stiffness in my thighs (plie!) and calves (releve!) but otherwise not too bad! Can't wait until the fall classes start so I can do this 2X a week, b/c I know it's not much help to let a whole week go by. I tried to practice a little on my own but couldn't remember any of the combinations. <sigh> Quote Link to comment
Redbookish Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 When you're learning (almost) from the beginning again, it's probably better not to practice in between, so that you don't accidentally develop bad habits. But you can cross train, stretch, do Pilates or yoga, or maybe the NYCB Workout tape.. If you do a trawl through this Adult forum, you'll see a number of really useful discussions about cross-training that's good for ballet. Quote Link to comment
Pique Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 During the year one of the ballet instructors teaches pilates, but not right now, so I may take it at the gym until Fall. It's also free at the gym and expensive (relatively speaking) from the ballet instructor, so maybe it's "good enough" at the gym? I've never taken pilates and have nothing to compare it to but I can give it a try and see if it seems good. Quote Link to comment
EricaHart Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 I've seen several YouTube tutorial videos on this, for those who would like to SEE what is being explained. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.