Nowhere to Practice!!

[Guest ReverentDancer]

In-between classes I always want to work really hard on the technical problems I have in some exercises (sometimes not just pliés, tendus and that kind of thing, but the travelling exercises like grand allegro too). Unfortunately, a good amount of space is really hard to come by in our house, so I have had to make do with the deck on our front veranda (which is really small). With this in mind, I just wondered where other people practiced their dancing in the hope that I can find somewhere decent.

 

BY THE WAY: in case any of you are worried that I am working on the problems without supervision, it’s okay, because I have an older sister that also dances and offers help whenever I need.

 

ReverentDancer

[Mel Johnson]

Hello, ReverentDancer and welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers. You're touching on reasons why practice at home is usually not very productive, particularly for center practice. Ballet is designed to be performed in spaces without much obstruction; most people don't have that at home. Similarly, the surface of the floor is not often conducive for ballet. Surfaced and worse, waxed floors can spoil the shoes you work in for ballet. And of course, unless you live at Versailles, no mirrored walls! If you want to practice work on your own, try to find some studio time that your teacher isn't otherwise using, and use that. It's good that your sister is willing to help you, of course assuming that she's already mastered (not merely accomplished) the technical level you're trying for. RAD Intermediate is a significant level, and deserves proper supervision.

[Guest ReverentDancer]

Thank-you for your advice. I will try to negotiate a time with my teacher that I can come in and practice without disturbing any other classes (I’m thinking Saturday or Sunday…). Also, my sister has completed the RAD Advanced I examination with Distinction, and so I feel more than safe letting her help me.

 

ReverentDancer