I arrive to Bikram Ballet with moments to spare. The parking sitch is getting tougher because the new boxing ring gym has opened half a block away - and people that really can kick my ass - are also looking for parking.
Avoiding parking drama aside, I rush in, sign up and line up at the barre behind a newbie. Legs and the Swan are in class - long and skinny surrounding me - but I've just decided that I'm just more graceful than the both of them. And more important, it's not about them - it's about me in this moment.
Miss M is still subbing for MDB. I take a deep sigh and settle in first position. And then I notice that the newbie isn't wearing any shoes or socks.
Side Bar: Ok, now I know we didn't know everything...
Menty: And we still don't.
Side Bar: Dually noted, but we knew about ballet slippers.
Menty: Finally - us - 1, ballet - 0!!
The plie combinations don't require a lot of footwork, so the newbie is safe there, but the moment we move into tendus....it gets interesting. The tendu combination requires two tendus, one coupe, one passe in first, fifth and second. Newbie is totally having issues and I'm sure I'm missing WTF face, but I keep my eyes up and on ethereal.
The degage combination is just a faster version of the tendu combination. We move into rond de jambes and frappes - and I was pretty sure the newbie wasn't going to do that part right. I couldn't even remotely imagine striking the floor with my barefoot.
We stretch and hit the battements and tonight it's easier to fling my leg through the air. Wheeeeee!!!
When we move to the floor for our kinda adagio, it's nice, neat and clean -so of course, I screw it up. I have at least two more times to save it - and the last time it was as close to perfect as I can get at any moment in time.
And now - it's jumping time!! I manage to stay on the floor and on my feet instead of going to the barre. We jump in first four times, then changement four times, then echappe twice - right side, then left side. Miss M makes us do it again - apparently she also believes jumping keeps you young.
Side Bar: Assuming that's true - we should be turning 20 on our upcoming birthday.
Menty: Amen, sister!
When we move to the side for traveling combinations, I stay away from both the Swan and Legs. The Swan prefers to go first or last. Legs will typically go last - I prefer to go in the middle. I want to watch it first, then try it. However, I'm also of the opinion that teachers typically watch the first and the last more closely - the middle sorta falls to the wayside anyway - unless you are great.
We do two piques, then two pique turns and then we practice lifting the leg in the front and back while turning while alternating - it sounds complicated - trust me- IT IS!
Side Bar: One goal - stay on feet.
Menty: How about two goals?
Side Bar: What's the other?
Menty: Ass over legs!
Side Bar: Two goals....
I don't have an epic fail, but it's touch and go on that second goal....
We finish with hops and skips across the floor and bow to our instructor for her patience and ability to control her laughter.
Legs wanders over and tells me how she thinks she can jump really high, but when she looks in the mirror she's less than 6 inches off the ground. I laugh. I know the feeling.
Miss M overhears us and tells me that she thinks I get up high enough, but what she notices most about me is my carriage. She says I have great upper body placement and I have great stage presence.
Now who doesn't love a compliment? Whheeeeeeeee!!!
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