A week or so ago, I told Gary I had taken up ballet.
Yes, it was absolutely a blessing send from Heaven that he was not eating anything at the time.
He’d have choked and died a quick but humorous death, as he pictured his plump, uncoordinated wife attempting ballet.
His mouth was, thankfully, empty.
His face, however, was not, as he attempted and failed to hide his expression of amused disbelief.
I thumped him.
And then I told him it was ballet for the over fifties. He could not hide his mirth anymore, and guffawed right into my face 🤨
Now, I’m not actually over fifty. At 46, I’m heading there but I’m not there yet. But if any kind of ballet was going to suit me, it would be ballet for the elderly.
So, today I started my day with a walk with Harv (our black, somewhat intellectually challenged lab), and quickly followed it up with a short ballet lesson (for the over fifties).
I’ve been at it for a couple of weeks. Twice a day.
I’m still on lesson two.
Lesson one was all about first, second and so on positions. I now know these off by heart, and, even if I do say so myself, have wonderfully balletic positions.
Don’t be too impressed. I think I’m doing astoundingly well if I manage to stay upright.
I may have lower expectations than the ballet teacher…
It’s lesson two which has me completely confounded.
It’s called ‘Finding Your Centre’.
The only thing I find is my confusion.
You’re meant to rock back and forth, until all of the parts of your feet are in contact with the floor. Then you gradually move up your body, pulling in your bottom and then your tummy.
It’s here I become unstuck. I pull in my bottom just fine. But as soon as I pull in my tummy, my bottom simultaneously pops out again. I’ve had five children, people! That does something to a girl’s abdominals. It’s like my abdos (as they are now affectionately known) are attached by a piece of string to my glutes. I pull in one, and the other pops out.
Finding my centre is nearby impossible with all this muscular too-ing and fro-ing.
And don’t get me started on my head, which always seems to protrude forward, a bit like a chicken.
And we all know chickens don’t do ballet.
Maybe I should take a hint…
But noooooo, today I attempted lesson three. A short lesson about pliers plies (pleeeaise). You know what? I cracked this one on my first attempt! I now know my positions (arms and feet) and I know how to plie.
It’s not pretty. It’s not elegant. But it is plie-esc.
I am balleting…but still none the wiser with regards to finding my centre 🙈
I’m not going to write about my weight too often, because let’s face it, you’d probably all get very bored, very quickly. However, when a month has a fifth Friday in it, I shall regale you with tales of my wibbly, wobbly weightloss. And let me assure you that there will be much wibbling and wobbling and probably very little weightlossing…but a girl can try, right? 🤨
I feel your struggle. I am actually older than you–54. Because of the physical demand of my job (Yes, I still homeschool as well.) I have begun following some 30 minute videos, just to get moving. I hope to build some stamina. I get a chance to get my heart rate up and sweat a bit. It requires a little coordination, which some days is a challenge. 😉
Hi Elizabeth 👋, it’s lovely to hear from you ❤️
Well done you for homeschooling and working! I have increased respect for those who juggle both since I went back to studying. I hear you with regards to coordination! Things definitely get a little less balanced as one ages 😬. Are your videos on YouTube? Would you be willing to share?
Have a great day today, and don’t work too hard xx
When I was in high school I wanted to start taking tap, jazz and ballet but my dance teacher didn’t have any beginners classes in my age bracket so she suggested her “adult” class. I ended up only taking tap and jazz since that’s the only beginner classes she had and while I was much younger than most of the other ladies we had a great time. We had 4 friends all near retirement a few fully white haired and gray and it was just the best. We weren’t the most coordinated but we worked together and supported one another and I still think of those ladies and what a great time we had dancing together. Keep it up. As long as you’re having fun, and moving, and learning it’s all good.
Hello 👋
yes, it’s funny, as one gets older one cares far less about what other people think. I would never have had the courage to ballet when I was younger because in my head it was ludicrous that someone of my size dance something which is traditionally thought of for much slimmer (and better coordinated) women than me. I am having a lot of fun, giggling away to myself as I attempt positions I’m fairly certain my body wasn’t designed for ❤️. Do you still dance now?