Hi lovelies! I hope that you all are having a great week so far! Sorry about yesterday’s tease and short post- I got home from book club a little too late to write a full post… oh and a book club review will be coming next week!

As you know, I was sad initially about quitting my Yoga Works membership as I really enjoyed taking classes there. However, once I realized that I was unable to make any of the class times I knew I had to find something else. Rather than jumping into another long-term commitment, I decided to play the field a bit. So when I saw a recent Groupon-type deal for ballet classes, I took the plunge.

Nevermind the fact that I hadn’t taken ballet since I was a little girl…

Proof as to why I don't wear blush anymore

But despite my lack of experience, I decided to give it a try. So I went out and bought ballet shoes (not the toe shoes my younger self so badly wanted) and suited up in my lululemon. Side note: In adult classes most students wear tight yoga gear- not tights and leotards… I was glad I found that out before class!

As I walked into the studio I started feeling a little nervous about this new workout as I watched the advance class twirl and leap with their enviable perfect posture. But I took a deep breath and walked into my own beginner’s class. The class started with bar work and for me the most difficult portion was finding my turnout. Though I remembered the ballet positions from childhood, I wasn’t counting on the fact that it was so much harder to achieve them now! One thing I struggle with in group classes is comparing myself to others but my instructor informed me that turnout is different for everyone and the important thing is that your body feels comfortable in the positions. Then we started your everyday plies. Easy right? Well if you are doing them wrong, then they are. However, when done right, a plie comes from the thighs, not just a bending of the knee. And trust me, you can feel a difference.

The hour and a half class focused on a variety of concepts that if I explained them to you, would seem so basic and simple. However, just like in yoga, when done correctly, those simple moves can make you feel the most burn. My instructor explained that it is important to master those moves so that when more moves are added to them, you don’t have to think about how to do a perfect releve. This is especially crucial because with ballet you are already thinking about so many things: long neck, sucked-in stomach, tucked butt, graceful fingers, etc!

When the class was over I was sad and realized something fantastic- I had been concentrating on ballet the entire 90 minutes and my mind hadn’t wandered once! I love when a workout is a little escape from reality. As I got home that evening, I felt sore but I was not prepared for the soreness I felt the next day. I figured that since I am in heels all day my calves could handle it, but instead of walking with ease in my 5 inch heels like I normally do, I found myself wobbling. And despite my sore body, I’m already making a conscious effort to improve my posture. Not only will it help me in class but it will help my constantly sore shoulders and back. (Oh and look 10 lbs thinner  which I think is definitely worth mentioning!) I feel like I learned so much and am really excited to continue taking classes… plus my instructor said if I stick with it, she can coach me to get on point… which made my 10-year-old self squeal. But don’t worry, I kept that to myself.

Questions:

-Did you take ballet or any dance classes as a child?

-Have you ever taken traditional disciple dance classes rather than fitness oriented ones?

-What new workout are you loving? Or hating?