Dreams are Possible

[Guest Rosalin]

I've been visiting these forums almost every day as they are mostly very encouraging and helpful. But today is my first post because I just can't be silent anymore, because something truly wonderful has happened.

 

After having children in my early 20's and having a truly difficult time of it physically, I decided to pursue a dream I've had since a child. And I figured if I didn't start now, then maybe it would be lost forever. Finally, after many years of hard work, and regaining strength even after a c-section with my last child, my instructor gave me the magic words, "You are ready to start pointe work in class now." All my life I wanted to hear that... even if it is only the last five minutes of barre work in my pre-pointe class, I'd be happy as anything to just know I did it.

 

I still have more weight to lose before I do it though. As I'm 29 and my body isn't that of a 15 year old anymore. Having children can do that to you. It is amazing how much of a transformation we go through as women. So I am marking my calendar with a 6 month goal to continue reshaping my body and losing the rest of the weight I gained having kids, with a healthy diet and upstepping my pilates excercise program.

 

Ballet has been extremely motivating. I'm sure my kids miss me every night when I slip out to go to class, but I also think I'm a better mom because not only am I happier, but they'll have a healthier mom too. I'll be around to let you know how those months are passing by and getting closer to the lure of the pink shoes. Thanks everyone. --Rosalin

[Guest moralesr]

Rosalin that is so wonderful. Congratulations. You must be so proud, you've worked very hard and now it's all paying off for you. I have no doubt you'll reach your weight goals too.

 

Your children are very lucky to have a mom like you. You're teaching them a very important lesson about working hard to achieve what they want in life and to never give up on their dreams.

[Victoria Leigh]

Welcome to Ballet Alert! Online, Rosalin, and congratulations on your excellent accomplishments in pursuing your dream! We hope you will continue to participate in the Adult Ballet Students and many other forums here

[BW]

Rosalin, I just had to read your post and I am so glad I did! Wonderful news and very inspiring for everyone! 29 is still very young, so you're really ahead of the game! :cool:

[Guest Rosalin]

Thanks! I'm so glad someone thinks I'm still young. I feel so old since all my classes are with 10 and 15 year olds. And when that's over each night I come home to my even smaller children. Where are all the adults hiding?

 

I know there must be a lot of lurkers who discover this forum and dream about ballet, but never actually do it. You should always try what you dream, otherwise you will spend your whole life wondering 'what if?'

 

And then those lucky enough to get past the first of their fears to take the first step forward. I've seen a lot of that over the years. New students will come in to sign up and ask the director, "Do you think I can do it?"

 

And the response is always the same. "If you truly want to learn, yes you can." This goes for all ages. I think I've seen this question come up a lot in this forum. ;)

 

Rosalin

[Guest Jeujeucda]

Hi Rosalin,

 

"Somebody" thinks you're still young? What are you talking about, you ARE young! Much as we love ballet, its extreme physical requirements define only its own realm, not the "real" world beyond the curtains. We have average life expectancies today of well into the 80s at least, so you're only just getting into full gear for the main road.

 

That's something that bothers me a bit -- the psychological impact of ballet on children who love it. By the time they're in their early teens, dance starts telling them they'd better make up their minds cuz they're getting "old"! But they're not, for goodness sake. They're just beginning to reach beyond childhood. Beginning! And then for those in ballet professionally, they're so dedicated that they have no chance to truly know the real world that their audiences come from. Then when they're in their late 30s, they start to feel pressure to retire cuz they're "old". In reality, they're just reaching their prime. But what happens when they stop dancing? They're often ill-prepared to rejoin the real world. Some finally go to post-secondary. But because they haven't had the chance yet to develop skills and financial security, or they're now "mature" students, they feel out-of-place and thus compound their false mental image of being "old".

 

Anyway. I hope I didn't come off as really negative on ballet, because I absolutely love it and my classes. It's just that this is one of the main reasons my parents refused to let me do it when I was little (besides it being "bad for your feet"). If only this aspect wasn't there, I bet the world of ballet would be considered by a lot more parents.

 

Jeujeucda

[Guest kelseym]

Congratulations! I am also 29 and have recently started pointe work. (I'm new to this forum...). I took some ballet when I was younger, and lots of jazz. Looking back, I wish I would have taken more ballet back then, but it didn't interest me as much as it does now.

 

Keep up the great work. I just love the lure of the satiny pink shoes, too!! It's like a dream come true for me!

[balletowoman]

Isn't it wonderful that we can share our passion for ballet?

I seem to bore everyone I meet with ballet, ballet and more ballet...

 

At least here, we can indulge without the disadvantage of finding a tired audience... Let's have a group hug

 

And well done you

[Guest Rosalin]

Thanks all. Yes, I know I could talk about ballet all day long. My husband just smiles when I talk. And when I try to talk to my daughter about it, she's not interested. To her ballet is boring because it makes no noise. I even bought her little girl ballet books just so I could have someone to talk to about it, but guess where they end up? The bottom of her book pile.

 

I think it is kind of funny. So glad you are all here. Rosalin

 

ps. Kelseym, can you write up a big spiel about your first day on pointe in class? I'd really enjoy reading it.

[Guest Rosalin]

I have to post this too because Jeujeu reminded me of the very basic reason why I wasn't allowed to do ballet at a young age either. Parents can be so funny sometimes. I think you were fairly lucky, because your reason is somewhat applicable to the truth of what really happens.

 

My parents? They were devout religious baptists back then and ballet was seen as evil because the girls were practically naked in a leotard and tights, oh my. Forget the fact that this is more covered up than a swimsuit for the beach! My older sister wanted to take tap lessons, but when my parents went to a recital to see what the local studio was like, my father was upset about the costumes and the wiggling of their butts on stage. Apparently it wasn't fit for a lady.

 

I really wish I was more educated back then. So many royal families had their children study, and even I remember somewhere reading where one instructor considered all her students royalty, because ballet was a royal art and didn't allow her students to wear t-shirts and chew bubblegum.

 

I remember being so happy to see ballet as a requirement for my major the first year I went to college. I never stopped dancing after that. It's been 10 years already since that first class. My parents aren't baptists anymore, and have really mellowed out. Was this a 70's thing? So even people change. They've come to just about every show I've performed in since then to show their support too.

 

Rosalin

[Guest azure]

I am wondering if I may be one of the oldest people to start ballet from scratch at 50. I know I have been taking classes on and off for 3 years now and I am only really just beginning to put things "together" SOMETIMES!!! I don't have a weight problem which is something people seem to mention on these boards alot but I must have every other kind of problem! Seems to me weight would be alot easier to contend with than the other limiting factors. Such as memory, co-ordination of arms with legs, turn out, flexibility and general stiffness. I have recently started yoga which is helping somewhat with the latter.

Ballet is certainly a challenge .....pirouettes and other turning steps are just so difficult and I do flail around ALOT!! However, sometimes I do manage to string together several steps in center or across the floor all be it that they are probably off the music and not well executed, and then I feel so PROUD. I try to not compare myself with anyone else in class which is difficult but then I never see anyone that is a true OLD adult beginner and it is silly of me to look at 20 and 30 year olds I guess.

I just LOVE GOING TO BALLET CLASS and just wish so much I had been able to do this when I was young. It makes me so happy ...what I also wish is that I lived in a large city where I could go to loads of ballet classes particularly where there would be a live accompanist. That would be so exciting.

Anyway it is nice to share this since most of my friends think I am somewhat odd starting ballet so late in life!! I would love to have a goal such as younger dancers do like going on point but I think my goal has to be that I stay fit enough to be able to do this FOREVER!!

[Guest Rosalin]

Azure, I am so proud of you! My mother in law recently turned 60 and after her birthday party was over, she pulled me aside and told me her secret to staying so young. And you have already found it.

 

My mother in law is very beautiful, hyp for her age in fashion, extremely active in so many activities I can never get her to babysit for me. But she said the secret was to always keep up with the things young people do. Never stop being interested in the new gadgets that come out, and never stop learning. Don't reminisce about the past, but make new memories and stretch forward to the future.

 

It is possible to become more coordinated with visual techniques in class. Some of my favorites are when our instructor shouts out, "Bouquet of Roses in your right arm! Roses in your left arm!" and this makes the correct arm and head movements come together when we're moving our feet. I must be lucky because my technique classes are with ten year olds and this really works with them, the hands of the clock, the teacup on your ankle for turnout... Someone should start a new thread for all the really cool things teachers use. I think they work for adults too.

 

Keep up the great work, Azure!

[Guest mic31]

wow congratulations....this is why I always look forward to any time that I can spend on this site.