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Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved ballet. Watching the girls gracefully glide across the ground, spinning, twirling and floating like magical creatures out of a fairy tale… it just filled my heart with joy. When I was five, my mother enrolled me in ballet and I continued to dance for many years. I remember the first time I got my pointe shoes at twelve years old. It was a badge of honor. A rite of passage. A mark of my accomplishment.
Most of the other girls wore lambs wool to cushion their toes. Not me. I liked the way the hard, wooden boards touched my feet. Made me feel grounded. In touch with my shoes. Sure it hurt. Yes, it rubbed the skin raw. But I felt connected to each and every step. To ballet. I’ve always been a strange girl, I suppose.
Over the years, I drifted from this beautiful art. New pastimes replaced old. Studies began to take up much of my time, and soon my precious slippers were sitting alone and forgotten on a shelf. It would be many years before I would rediscover my love for them.
Time passed so swiftly. I hadn’t danced in so long, yet I yearned to feel the magic that ballet always filled me with. But I was too old now, wasn’t I? It was past my time. I couldn’t go back… could I? My love for the art never really faded. I just got busy. I was able to still watch and appreciate from the audience. I watched Odile’s 32 fouette’s and wondered if I could even do one anymore. I watched Aurora’s Rose Adaigo and wondered if I could even form a proper attitude after so long. But I gathered up my courage and returned to that world. I marched into class again, clumsy, out of shape and unbalanced. I chose to craft myself once again.
Ballet is a beautiful artistic form of expression that can be enjoyed and performed by people of any age. It’s foundation was formed in King Louis XIV’s court in 17th century France. King Louis, often referred to as “the Sun King” was a flamboyant man and art enthusiast. He established a dance school which would later come to be known as the Paris Opera Ballet.
The art grew and developed through the years. Eventually, the 19th century produced some of the most beloved and well known classics that are still performed today. These were the days of legends of the ballet world – Petipa, Taglioni, Tchaikovsky.
Ballet has continued to grow and change through the years. New choreographers continue to reinvent the old, forming new additions to company repertoires, and new ideas and designs. Yet, we are still able to watch the romantic classics of old as well. It is a form of storytelling that has stood the test of time. It is never too late to go back, my friends. Just as it’s never too late to follow dreams.
So I returned to that bright and shining world of dewdrops, swans, and clockwork dolls. I currently attend weekly sessions of adult ballet classes and I am delighted to have returned to it.
If you have an interest in ballet but are nervous either from being too out of practice or never having danced a step, I urge you to look into adult ballet classes in your area. Ballet is a wonderful way to exercise and feel beautiful at the same time. It’s hard work, but it is well worth it. People of all ages, sizes and levels of experience are in my class and we all dance for ourselves. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t lift your leg as high as everyone else, or can’t hold your balance as long. Ballet takes a lot of time and practice. My advice would be to make time to stretch before class and try to make time to get some stretching done outside of class as well. After time, you will slowly learn the steps, your body will get stronger and leaner, and your confidence will grow. Remember, you can’t dance for anyone else but yourself, and that makes the dance all your own and that much more lovely.
February 6th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I recently discovered your blog and just have to let you know how lovely it is. It’s one of my favourites!
I completely related to this post because I too have a strong love for Ballet. Growing up, I had always wanted to do it, but I felt that I was too old to start. Finally, a fortnight before my fifteenth birthday, I realised that enough was enough and I signed up for classes.
Even though I was the worst one in my class and other girls my age were in the Company, I had such a wonderful time! Over the next three and a half years, I got my first pair or pointe shoes and performed in Coppelia, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Swan Lake. Some of my fondest memories were spent in a pair of ballet slippers!
Unfortunately, I had to give up my new found love about nine months ago to come to University, but as soon as I have the opportunity, I’m going to dance again. Thank you for inspiring me and reminding me about one of my greatest joys; I realise now that it’s too precious to ever sacrifice. <3
February 7th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Dear Princess Camille,
I am so happy you have found my little wonderland, and furthermore, thank you so much for sharing your story. I hope you return to the ballet world after your studies. If your school has a dance major, you may want to look into a dance class for non-majors. My college had a dance program and offered class for non-majors, which I took. It was a great way to help scratch the itch. Good luck in school and remember to follow your heart! <3