The dance school I go to shuts up shop at the end of term so I hoped they would still have some classes to go to throughout the 6-week long summers holidays. I was in luck! There were classes all throughout July and a couple in August so I wouldn't lose the impact of all the hard work I'd put in so far.
The first two classes were lead by my usual teacher. She did a combination of normal work and core technique classes with huge gym balls. I really enjoyed the technique classes as my core is the HUGE thing I need to correct and engage. After so many years of very little activity and a major abdominal surgery scar to contend with, I knew I had my work cut out.
My abdominal scar goes right the way from my right side all the way over to the left. It it a regular battle since my recovery from a very odd teratoma tumour a few years back (long story - very boring). Consequently, any strenuous activity requiring me to engage my middle section is very difficult. Back bends are almost out of the question and any tough core exercises tend to pull at every fibre of the muscle that didn't ever really knit back together properly.
Having said all that - I have definitely improved a significant amount over the last few years. At one point I couldn't even sit up in a chair without collapsing back into it, so to be able to even get back to ballet class at all is a God-given miracle for me!
In the first core-class we were given so many exercises involving placing your feet on the ball, back and shoulders plastered to the floor whilst you lift your bum and hips as high as you can. All this without, of course, rolling off the ball onto the floor in a big sweaty puddle. :-)
I honestly couldn't understand how all these 15/16 year old's managed this with ease and didn't so much as even blink as they steadily drove through each move with their fab abs! I on the other hand, became the sweaty puddle I referred to just now. Just trying to lift my bum off the floor even two centimetres seemed to be sending my feet into a wobbly mess. Each shake trying to counteract the last. I couldn't believe how much effort it actually took to just hold positions I once would have found easy.
However, practice makes perfect, and this is very true! I bought a gym ball (Davina's bright green fitness ball) and carried on the moves at home in-between classes. By the third class I could hold the positions and even attempt some of the arm movements to increase the difficulty. I have to say, I wasn't particularly a fan of the ' just for fun' exercises we were given at the end of the last class. The equivalent to wheelbarrow races in pairs whilst rotating your arms between each move. I couldn't rotate my arms at all! It put so much strain on my abdominal muscles it actually felt like they were tearing! It was all good fun but a bit too much for me by the end! Haha! Especially as the young fit 16 year olds put me to shame. Anyway - I definitely feel like I am making huge improvements!
When practising at home- my partner Mark joins me sometimes as he bought he own ball too! Although - he has commented once or twice that he doesn't want to bother doing the typical ballet move sections because he is only bothered about his core- not his arms or back etc. I tried to explain that it ALL activates your core - you just don't realise but I don't think he would believe it unless he was told by a professional. I know how much core strength it takes just to be able to hold yourself in a sitting position, so believe me, all the movements and adjustments work your core!!
The last couple of classes were taken by Anoushka, who dances in musicals in the west end! She has been in Shrek and 42nd street, which is just fab! Her classes were trying to cater for a variety of abilities that came along and I think she managed it really well, extending some movements for some and simplifying for others. It was a wonderful, lyrical class with lots of 'dancy' sequences which I love. Pas de basque turns, waltz turns and posé coupé turns which left me dancing out of the studios.
Do comment and let me know your experiences with technique class, core workouts or anything you want to really! I would love to hear from some of you out there in the big, wide scary adult ballet world
