I began ballet recently, as I mentioned. I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I believe that I’ve mentioned in the past that ballet is incorporated in Middle Eastern dance in some sense; a lot of dancers are trained in ballet from their childhood or some similar time, so they often use balletic terms (releve`, for instance) to describe what we’re doing. Ballet has also been recommended as a way to increase gracefulness and carriage.

I’m not a huge ballet fance, truth be told. However, I am game for trying new things and improving my dance on a whole. That’s why I’m taking ballet. I found ballet isn’t completely foreign. Some of the exercises we’ve done (plies in difference positions) remind me of strength exercises I’ve done in Bharatanatyam and Odissi. The armwork is similar to that of the Middle Eastern classes.

I enjoyed my ballet class; as of today, this isn’t something that I’m passionate about. Since I immediately clicked with other dance forms, I don’t expect to have that happen with ballet. However, I’m going to continue. While ballet may not be a love of mine, I did like it and I can see how it’s going to be useful. My ankles are weaker than they had been, and the exercises we did will definitely strengthen them. I like that the exercises are simple enough (at least now) I can refine my arms and hands. The exercises were also relaxing but challenging, if only because I lack the strength.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS