Ballet

Well, I tried another new physical activity this week. On Wednesday, I took a ballet class at my gym. Now, believe it or not- I actually practiced ballet as a child. I think I was probably about five when my mom decided that I should enroll in ballet classes. Or perhaps I was the one who had insisted that I wanted to be a dancer. Either way, it sometimes makes me question how anyone could have been even slightly surprised when I came out several years later. "Hello??? When I was five, I wanted to become a ballet dancer- the signs have been there all along!" LOL. Anyways, by the time I was six or seven, I had already moved on to my next endeavor.

Needless to say, I've become a bit rusty over the past twenty years. Frankly, I felt like some hefty football player prancing around in a tutu! The instructor was this little old lady, who, at first, I would have never imagined to be a ballet dancer. But then during the warm-up when she told us to stretch our legs UP, my leg lifted about 90° while hers was well extended above her head! I nearly exclaimed "Holy crap lady! How'd you do that???"

I certainly didn't expect to be great at ballet straight off the bat; however, I do consider myself to very in shape and quite a bit more coordinated than the average Joe. I must say however, that it's much harder than it looks and way more difficult than I remember. I felt like a dog walking on it's hind legs. I did my best to keep up and overall I think I made a good effort. I didn't feel like I lacked strength, or endurance; from the weight-lifting or even a cardiovascular perspective, ballet isn't that difficult of a workout. What it does require however (which I certainly fell short of), is an immense degree of balance, flexibility, coordination and technique. I'm really glad that I tried something new, but alas, I do not think I'm going to pursue becoming the newest member of the American Ballet Theatre. And so, just like when I was five- I'm moving on to my next endeavor!