Going Back to ballet continued...

[LinMM]

Yes I think performing gives all the ballet classes a proper meaning. I enjoyed my time performing with the Chelsea Ballet in the 70's and 80's inspite of some venues being terrifying to perform in....but lots were in Old People's Homes and I know this gave a lot of pleasure to the residents in them. I really enjoy learning repertoire when get the chance but I wish there were more choreographic style classes in general.....where the centre practice takes the form of creating little pieces of choreography instead of being so technique based. Years ago when studying with Roger Tulley in his studio in Kensington he had a lovely choreographic class every Friday with the luxury of a very accomplished pianist(David Ward). This was the highlight of my week....beautiful music but one had to be on ones toes to remember everything....a wonderful experience though and you connected to the people in that class in a different way.

[Michelle_Richer]

Hi Lin

That sounds fantastic, for me a pianist is a luxury, even at the ROH we have the piano in our studio but no pianist. We did have a chinees lady pianist at the BRB workshop a couple of weeks or so ago that was nice. However we have one at the ENB classes which is one of my classes for tomorrow. But I would really love an orchestra though. 

[Fiz]

Don't laugh, but I crossed Stamford off our list of possible towns to move to because I couldn't find a ballet class there!

[LinMM]

Well I bet there are lots of people who have hobbies which are important to them who make decisions about where they live based on whether they can easily practice them....golf as one comes to mind!!! If I absolutely had to move house now I would want there to be a ballet class within at least a 20 mile radius! Ive probably only a couple of years now before knees start being too much of a problem for ballet so would want to make the most of what is available!

[Michelle_Richer]

Fabulus day out today and managed to beg a studio to myself for a hour and a half for practice, its amasing what you can do by talking nicely to people. I travel to most of my classes, generally up to 40 miles away, I would need an exceptional reason to go further. London is an exception as I can do more than one class when I make the visit.

 

Ok about the choice of location, I guess thats true here also, as I live in the centre of a little village but no actual neighbours as it the church yard and the inhabitance there dont complain, however I do have two pubs just across the road. Its very picturesque as we have 400ft of river frontage that overlooks a private park and its really lovely in the spring when all the trees first come out. Its as everthing is brand new with all the different shades of green on the leaves. 

 

I understand your point about your knees, I have the same view, thats why I am fast tracking my ballet tuition, as I dont know how long Ive got before my health and physical condition start to fall. At the moment Im gaining, but Im not sure for how long, so basically Im deturmined to actively live every minute.

[Fiz]

My other older companion in class is having to avoid certain moves as she injures herself quite easily

[LinMM]

Yes injury is always in the back of ones mind at my age(I am in my sixties). You have to let your body be your guide.....i could not do a full plie for 6 months when first did classes again but even at my age it can do with a little pushing on occasions! But I have got more confident as Ive regained strength and am having a go at some quite complex turning jumps now. I used to be anxious about landing from a jump on one leg as my left ankle particularly has never been quite the same since I broke it(running for a bus....not dancing I hasten to add) but even that is feeling much stronger since Ive retaken up ballet. But oh for the days when I could jump more than 2inches off the floor!! Which brings me to something I feel is still in the remit of this particular topic and that is leotards......and the lack of suitable sizes. I realise that most of the dance world is geared to younger people hoping to be ballerinas but am I the only size 16 out there!! I just can't find a leotard to fit that feels comfortable and I don't want to have to order from America (I don't do online banking) and anyway as a matter of principle I feel I should be able to buy in UK. I am quite tall....5ft 8ins but am big boned and probably have roughly even back and leg length......so not the ideal long legged ballet figure....I am 11st exactly at mo but even extra large in all the main ballet shops in London is a size 14!! I can squeeze into some but feel compressed around the shoulders which I hate. Also I do like a standard shape...scoop neck..I think...but no fancy no back no bras types as I don't look good in them anyway. So for the time being have given up on leotards.....thank goodness for Uniglo....as I wear their tops with tunic over tights etc. Anyone else have this problem?

[2dancersmum]

LinMM have you tried Papillon leotards.  I know they go up to a size 16.  I've seen them on Porselli website but other places must do them, even if they have to order it from your local ballet shop as most only seem to stock a few sizes.

[LinMM]

Hi thanks have looked on the Porselli website and there is a papillon in the style I like in size 16 which is denoted as xxlarge. In all the other makes there is no xxlarge but just xlarge which is a size 14. I still think it strange that a leotard no matter the size in width should be thought to fit someone of 5ft 2ins and 5ft 8ins say! That leotards don't come in length sizes as well. I've noticed the one I like does have elastacene in so that should help. I'll give Porselli a ring tomorrow. I have tried on though all the largest sized leotards in London, in Freeds, Capezio, Bloch, Dancia International et al and did not feel comfortable in any of them. I do have a similar problem with swimming costumes.....I usually have to buy in a larger size....hence a trifle baggy about the bust so that they stretch up far enough! But thanks for this info.....I think there is a niche in the market there for someone!!

[Fiz]

Tell our Just Ballet friend! She's great at getting difficult to find items, Lin. I had another terrific class last night. She works us into the ground and I love it. A question here, though...I can pirouette for England, but pose turns are another thing altogether! They are so fast and I end up either not stopping or ending up forgetting to go onto the leading foot! I must practice them - again We never do anything more than for one lesson. It's the first time I've done them this year and I haven't yet developed muscle memory for them

[Anna C]

I don't know how Intermezzo sizes compare with other makes, but Dancing in the street seem to sell XXL leos: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intermezzo-3007-Mesh-leotard-Size/dp/B00BJKL4JG

 

Or - if you want to customise your leotard, Wear Moi Uk make an XXL/Size 16 too.

[LinMM]

I thInk with pose turns practice without turning helps a lot at first....it's not easy as you have to almost do a little ronde de jambe movement with the leg you are stepping on to from the finishing position and have to watch the incoming arm isn't behind the shoulder or throwing off balance. I wish I could pirouette for England though!! I'm stuck on one at the moment as when I try two I sort of panic and end up using too much force! Just occasionally a good two comes off but then in the next class all over the place again so I end up back with the one.....for everyone's safety and security!! I would really like to enjoy pirouettes but so far not the case. However Franziska Rosenzweig is doing a course in July in London (Saturday) ....need to check exact date so am hoping enlightenment may result from that day on!!! Her courses cost £40 if you book at least a month before so reasonable. I'm sure she will do some pose turns as well.

Wear moi UK is a new one for me Spannerandpony (I love your dog) so will look into them. I have come across Dancing in the Street but I'm a bit traditional in my leotard wear and some of their designs a bit too revealing for my older bones! I tend to like higher at the back and either long or cap sleeves but I'll give them another look too so thanks. Looks like I could be going from none to three!!

[Anna C]

Thank you! That's our darling old boy who passed away Christmas before last. We have a lunatic Miniature Schnauzer now! :-D

[LinMM]

Sorry to hear about that....but he's still giving pleasure even now ...he just looks like he's laughing so cheers you up immediately! Ive been on the Wear Moi website and have just a few mins ago sent them an email so will see what comes out of that. Thanks again

[Sheila Beelam]

He's gorgeous isn't he! Smiling for the camera

 

LinMM I've sent you a PM with a list of suggested leotards

 

Sheila Beelam

Just Ballet Ltd

www.justballet.co.uk

 

(Could the moderators tell me if under the new rules I need to sign my company name and website on all my postings or just those that mention dancewear - thanks!)

[Anna C]

Just having your signature under your posts is fine Sheila, I wouldn't think you need to add it manually on your posts. :-)

 

Edited to add yes, he was a smiley dog who did laugh :-) The schnauzer does the odd little smile but never laughs; he often looks like the penguin in Wallace & Gromit's "wrong trousers" - that unblinking stare. :-D

[Michelle_Richer]

Spannerandpony: Thank you for mentioning “Dancing in the street”, they are relatively local to me, I rang them this afternoon as I’m usually looking around for XXL leotards as I’m big busted. Usually I go to Dance Direct where you can have any colour providing it’s black; it’s the only colour in XXL. I have tried various others in XL but they squash my boobs and I don’t look a pretty site, otherwise they fit OK everywhere else.
Last night at the Angles Theatre ballet class we were presented with our (partly made) show dresses, we checked them for sizing which was spot on, and then they were pinned for length so they can be finished off. However we are all going to were white strappy leotards underneath, hence my phone call to dancing in the street. All being well I shall pop over tomorrow and see their range of XXL white leotards as they do have a few.

 

Sizing of Dance Direct new range of Tutu’s XL is 16-18 and XXL is 20-22, I can vouch for the XL as I bought a couple basically to check the sizing as they are relatively low cost.

 

I also have to be fare with Sheila (Just Ballet) as she is fantastic in fining things, and getting sizes from suppliers that are not shown on her website. I have ordered two of her Professional Tutu’s as a custom size, so they are made to order and to my measurements.

 

Fiz: You may like to know we were doing Posé turns across the room, corner to corner at Peterborough tonight as well as a few pirouette’s in the centre. I agree with the problem that occurs in many classes where you only get to do one or two turns, you never really learn to spot or navigate correctly. I only found that out when I was trying a little practice with travelling turns at one of my Salsa venues, when everyone was off the dance floor towards the end of the evening just chatting. I bravely put on my ballet slippers and tried a series of turns (10-20); this was to a slow salsa rhythm that was playing at the time. This is where I really learned to spot and to navigate in an almost straight line.

 

That’s my last ballet class of the week now except Saturday morning (Grantham). 

 

Lin: I think we are of a similar age, but I have never grown up.

Edited April 25, 2013 by Michelle_Richer

[LinMM]

I think it's more about how comfortable you feel in your body generally Michelle. You would think somebody doing ballet would be very confident in this respect but I never have been so always a bit of a modest dresser really even when younger. Unlike my mother who was much bolder!! Where I have changed is not being so shy to express myself in the dance (in relation to the music) which I was more worried about when younger but now I just go for it more but I won't be the one in the briefest bikini on the beach!!

[Michelle_Richer]

 Lin: I don’t think I would feel comfortable in the briefest of bikini on the beech, but when friends are over and we are in my hot-tub then I have no problem in a bikini of any type.

 

I guess my romance with dance is relatively new, which all came about after my partner died in 2005 and suddenly life was very different. I admit apart from work I did not know how to socialise; it was a freighting new world that I had never experienced before. Little by little I found my confidence and with the help of one of the girls at work, I joined a fitness class and eventually a salsa dance class. Once I started dancing salsa my confidence and social life grew dramatically. I also became more daring in the things I would wear at Salsa dances especially as they have a real party atmosphere. The dresses are definitely not the sort of things you would be seen in the supermarket with Ha ha.

 

About a year ago I finished work, mainly to spend quality time with my little dog Chino (see my posting on Dog Show news) for what little bit of time we had left together. While we were out one day in May, we came across a notice on our village hall door “Adult Ballet class ring Nicky”, and the rest is history. The ballet bug dug very quickly and very deep, I’m now up to 10 ballet sessions a week and 4 related fitness classes plus various workshops and summer schools.

 

Oh and I still dance and sometimes teach Salsa and the other dances that go along with salsa.

Edited April 25, 2013 by Michelle_Richer

[2dancersmum]

Not got much detail on these as they were just given a brief mention in an email from RAD.

June 30th - Cambridge - 2 hour PDD workshop on Romeo & Juliet - adults  £30 - afternoon but canot remember times

There is also an adults day in the week of Dance Generation workshops held at the MAC in Birmingham, week beginning 22nd July. 

It includes pilates, ballet, repertoire.

 

Sorry the details are sketchy but both are organised through the RAD. Katie Hart is the contact I believe.

[LinMM]

Thanks for the info on the dance events.Normally I would have been keen on the Cambridge one as I have friends there and cold stay etc but unfortunately clashes with a college reunion event up in Haworth so could not make it but its always useful to know theses things. Lin I think you are amazing 10 classes a week....I can just about cope with four at the mo. Sorry to hear about your partner it must have been incredibly difficult adjusting I know I would find it hard if anything happened to mine(he had to have an op last week and I was all in a dither with that...he's fine now though) Your salsa sounds fun though. I've done a bit of Zumba to loosen up the body more and that was great fun too .....nearly did me in trying to,keep up though as much more aerobic than ballet. I've just recently retired....hence time to write on ballet forums! And I still find it strange not being in such a rigid routine. I don't have a dog but I did think of dog walking as something I would quite like to do..perhaps someone who can no longer get out to take their dog for a walk but I will get round to finding out about this. Meanwhile the ballet seems to be slowly absorbing more time and I think as you feel more improvement then you do tend to,want to do more. But take care of those knees

[LinMM]

Hi Michelle maybe I'll get your name right this time!! Sorry about above post obviously not sure who I am today!!! I had a look at your dog post but not used to using forums yet and didn't look at dates at first so didn't realise your dog has since died as well till I went to the posts. What a difficult few years you have had. I'm posting this here because its a while since that doggy topic has had any contributions....and that's what I mean about understanding the Forum fully.....can you just carry on with a past topic if nothing recent on etc!! Your dog looked so lovely too. I got carried away with my likes too reading all the doggy stories so can't like anyone else's posts today!! Anyone's pet dying is just heartbreaking. I haven't had a dog since I was a child(Jack Russell) but a much beloved cat who was half Siamese and half tonkinese so a real talker died a couple of years ago. Toscar was 18 and a half and we were both heartbroken. We had him privately cremated down in the woods at Raystede an animal rescue centre not far from Lewes and his ashes are still in the cupboard surrounded by hundreds of animal toys I used to use in teaching(my now ex job). We bought a tree for him still in the pot in the garden and am now torn between putting his ashes with the tree or leaving them in the cupboard with all the animals!! But now am retired am thinking of a the possibility of a dog...hence the dog walking idea initially. I am happy to continue this line under the old doggy topic if that's appropriate as I realise not exactly about Back to Ballet but didn't want not to comment about your post Michelle. Perhaps the Moderators can help here.

[Jan McNulty]

Hi Lin, yes it is quite acceptable to revive old topics if that seems to be the most obvious place for you comments.

[LinMM]

I really don't know what's the matter with me today...perhaps because Ive had a very bad cold this week...after managing to get through the whole of winter without one...but went back to the Dog Show post and seen a very recent post there so will carry on with further pet comments on that forum and not this one!! But a ballet comment for here: I am committing myself to Franziskas day courses May 18th July 13th and last one in September...started with her February one and have a one to one with her next week.......something Ive never done before with ballet. So those plus the Chelsea Ballet summer school and possibly the Brighton summer school (if they don't clash) are probably enough for the time being. But next (academic) year will be much more aware of all these lovely ballet workshops going on for adults which I had no idea so many about. I am still tempted by the Swan Lake one if its not full yet but have a close friend over from Australia with her DD 13+ (who is hoping to do one of the summer schools...she has been offered ENB but they are waiting to hear from the one up in Yorkshire before making final decision) so don't want to find I have no time to be with them as only see every two years or so. Off to ballet tonight grade 6 BBO....and then tomorrow the rather more challenging ballet collective class....in the industrial estate in Portslade!! Happy dancing everyone.....just thought may meet up with you Michelle on the July pirouette course of Franziskas!

[LinMM]

Just to add that will soon be in possession of first leotard for 22 years thanks to JustBallet. Also had a reply from Wear Moi UK and they can apparently make a leotard to own measurements(not sure of the cost of that yet) so thanks to all who have helped with this!

[Michelle_Richer]

2dancersmum: What does "PDD" mean in “June 30th - Cambridge - 2 hour PDD workshop on Romeo & Juliet - adults £30”, I know I shouldn’t be looking at doing this one, but just maybe, I can squeeeze it in.

 

Lin: OK about meeting me at Franziskas Pirouette Workshop, you will also see me at the Chelsea Ballet summer school and I think I will also do Franziskas September Workshop too.

 

If you are looking for long Leotards, I went to “Dancing in the Street” today and tried a few on. They have one called “KIKI”, it was too long for me in the equivalent of a size 18 for my bust, in the end I went down to there size 5 which is equivalent to a 14, that fits OK, the one I bought is white and thin straps with high back. I also bought two other white ones with thicker straps, one in cotton, the other in lycra (maryrose and rosemary), they we OK with their size 7.

 

Don’t forget there are two options for “Swan Lake”, both LAB and City Academy are doing them, and both are based on Act 2. Im doing both.

[HAIRBELLES]

Could it mean Pas de Deux Michelle ? 

[Michelle_Richer]

Wow, you was up bright an early.

 

OK that figures, but where are they going to get all the guy's from. When we did Swan lake there was 2 Guys and 20 Girls, that seem to be common in all form of dance, even my Salsa suffers from that to a lesser extent.

[taxi4ballet]

They might rope in a few of their regular male students - I know Tring has done this whenever dd has done a PDD workshop there.

[2dancersmum]

Michelle - my email was not very clear and I think I may have misread the PDTD following the teachers name and attached it as PDD to the next word workshop as there was no punctuation or breaks in the message I received.  Checking the RAD website it describes it as a repertoire workshop and has the application form and all other details.  Look under training and then adults.  Sorry for any confusion.

[LinMM]

It seems to be a while now since Ive woken up without a pain or a muddle somewhere! Yes I have muddled those two swan lake ones up as I thought there was only one anyway!! I think it's the City Academy one I sent the email to and I think that one is only two days. Haven't looked at the LAB one but if its longer than two days probably won't consider this year. I'm looking forward to my individual session with Franziska on Wednesday.....Ive never done an individual before but it's a chance to go over things that are really bothering you and get some advice on alignment and placing etc. it's not far from where I stay when inLondon so that's good too. Well pose turns must be de rigeur this week as we did them to end class today too! The studio in Portslade is huge so lots of room. I'm better on the right side than the left(where more likely to get dizzy or go of course) but not too bad today.....I prefer pose and soutenus turns to pirouettes.......though pirouettes in the middle of an enchainement like today...to Vivaldi's Autumn...are better than doing what I call dry exercise pirouettes as in a BBO or RAD grade class. I must get my act together about the Chelsea Ballet Summer School as haven't paid yet and I know Louise has just sold her house so need to check where to send etc. How are you going to organise Michelle.....are you doing all the classes everyday or mix and matching so to speak.....it's making up my mind about this which is delaying things. Since I did the Masterclass last week I think I would like to do Richards pm class but could I cope with a morning one as well? Decisions decisions I'll update on the leotard situation at a later date but thanks for you suggestions anyway.

[Michelle_Richer]

Hi Lin

The LAB course is for a whole week with our performance on the Friday night.

 

As for Chelsea Ballet Summer School Im doing the Pilates, Level 1 and Level 2 every day and the first day of the Beginners Pointe class. I had a word with Louise as I didn’t intend to start pointe work this year, but I was very curious so she recommended I do the first class with an option to do the rest of the beginners pointe if I feel up to it. So that’s how we have left it. I will leave the fourth floor at Pineapple at 3pm as that’s where Chelsea are situated and do the 3 pm Pineapple Ballet class in studio 11, If they are not on break I will also include my ROH classes and ENB too.

[Fiz]

Not jealous at all, she lied!