a good look in the mirror....

 What I've noticed....when reflecting upon myself is...

 

.... I am in desperate need of .. a tummy small enough to fit into those amazing romantic tutu's hanging on the wall...

----Must focus on developing  a stronger right side... I've sadly discovered that not only is my right leg seriously  "hyper-extended" to a bad degree and "MUST BE WORKED ON ALWAYS!"....I've also discovered I have the fear. Yay! My weaker side holds me back. because I don't trust it to support me in all my movements....When it comes to pointe work.... I am afraid of my right side... that it won't support me... it wont hold up... and I may get injured....

 It seems I tend to "favor" this side in a bad way and this creates bad habits..and horrible muscle memory I must fight constantly (even outside of class - Yes.. it IS that bad. )

..That I've always had a problem with port-de-bras.. and I think I finally realize why..... I can't seem to allow myself  to be "BIG" or take up alot of space.. to be "loud and proud and in yo FACE! " doesn not come easily to me... so the large expression-able arms in port-de-bras.. are an enormous struggle! Why can't I "just take up space" and be comfortable?


If you could be truly honest with yourself ( and yes sometimes the truth hurts.... What would you admit you need to improve? )

Bury me in pointe shoes

I was chattering along the other day, feeling quite hyper after downing a huge cafe mocha with whip cream, topped with chocolate and cinnamon sprinkles...( YUM! ) when Mr. STB and I got onto the subject of our favorite comfy clothes......somewhere in the middle of our sugar and caffeine high I believe I formally requested that when " it's my time," I'd like to be buried in my warmest comfy socks, (did I mention how much I am obsessed with thick wooly socks?? ) also wearing my white and pink fluffy hat  (complete with bunny nose and ears ) and of course... my pretty pointe shoes on my feet.

The conversation wasn't the slightest morbid, in fact it was quite the giggle fest.

Alright, rabbit hat.. maybe not the best choice, it'll probably just clash with my outfit (and would look just silly in the summer time ) but you can never go wrong with a good pair of shoes...amiright?

But, hey, why stop there.......

Ha, ha and you were starting to think I was strange...?

See you next week........?

I think the saddest part about ballet class is just how many people are lost along the way. People come and go from an Adult ballet class so often, you really can't be sure that as you wave goodbye after class....you'll ever see them again.

Attending ballet class week by week is a challenge itself for most adult dancers. Far too often life gets in the way, kids, money, work, or other... ballet gets placed on the back burner... and it's really a sad day to discover yet another classmate won't be coming back.

Well my already small class lost another one. It's tough because you make such good (in class ) friends with your fellow dancers only to discover you wont see them again. Sure there is always facebook (if you ask / or they ask - a conversation that doesn't always comes up as people are rushing into class or out ) but even then it isn't always the same.

Adult ballet dancers are a rare breed. In class we encourage, applaud, become inspired by and even giggle with throughout the many up's and down's of the ballet world. The smaller the class get's the lonelier it almost becomes. (Sure there is more opportunity for private lessons which is gold itself) yet, I look out amongst what's left of the group and I can't help but wonder who I might not see next week...or the week after that....I dunno.... maybe I'm just too sentimental for my own good.

Have you've ever watched the movie The Sandlot, (1993) the movie about the story of a group of best friends told through the eyes of the new kid to the neighborhood. Together they survive a crazy summer full of adventures, hard times, and good which cement their bond..... You may remember the scene at the very end of the movie where they focuses in on them playing their very last baseball game together and one by one each child seems to fade away ( symbolizing their journey forward in their life / growing up, and, leaving their childhood, childhood friends and the baseball diamond behind) until there is only one remaining circling the baseball diamond to score a lonely home run by himself.

Ballet Class is the field in which we practice, the barre is the diamond where we perfect technique, classmates make up the team, and I, the narrator of our story.

Oh Noes!... NOt the TOESSS!

You've heard the rumors... pointe shoes and sandals don't mix. Once you strap these babies on your feet, your pedicure strutting days are OVAH!

"But... this only applies to professional dancers"... .say Whaa? Sure maybe..... If you strap those little piggies up in all kinds of softness...foot undeez, toe tape barriers, toe spaces, moleskin or "any other" magically strange combinations ( bubble wrap.. whatthewhat!?! )......anything to... finally......PLEASE..... just.... KILL THE PAIN ALREADY! GAAAH!





I take 2 pointe classes a week. I love pointe. I actually feel myself working alot harder while on pointe, mores so  then when ( sadly ) on the floor. Why? Well to put it simply... you just can't fake it on pointe. There is no way around not using your muscles properly ( something I commonly forget to engage in soft shoes) There are no short cuts with these bad boys. They can and WILL hurt you hardcore if you don't step up and recognize!

I've had my moments of absolute panic, you know... the kind that forms knots in your stomach, the kind that has adrenaline pumping  so violently through your veins you'd swear your heart might burst from your chest, all the while you are still trying to casually shrug off the horror of what just happened... to the rest of the class.  - What..??     That horrific ankle sickle that had you holding your breath in fear was.... nothin! Pssh... I planned that from the getgo! .. sheesh! Pain??? HA!  You tool! ........ Please....( "trembles silently" )


Okay well maybe not THAT extreme... but I did fail to use my muscles and this did leave me terrified after a sickling incident twice.

Fear + Adults + Pointe = BAD

The greatest thing about youth is being fearless. They can accomplish anything....." jump across two buildings??? SURE! - I can do that Shh...T....... " with my eyes closed, while txting Biatch!!


Adults however... as they age  ( so it seems ) begin to grow ever fearful.  - Yo know that super crazy Wild roller coaster that made your friends puke and you psyched?! - Well as each year passes.. you realize just how slightly scarier the ride seems to get...( I call shenanigans)  until well.. you wonder how you ever liked it at all??  Only crazy people could like this.. which CLEARLY you ARE NOT!



Fear can be a bad thing, especially on pointe when you need to fully exert yourself... if you hold back from fear you can cause more harm then good, and, may not progress as quickly as you would if you accepted the fear and became determined to trust yourself.. your technique and your teachers.


Er... so..... back to my main point of this thread... (wow where was I going with this... ) I took a good look at my toes the other day while switching from my soft shoes to pointe shoes.... and all I could think was EGAD! My toe nails are terrible! Some of my toes almost look like they have layers?? ( Is that even normal ?? ) My big toe has a semi-broken toe-nail. ( My nails are rather weak ) and I guess just slight pressure on a nail not cut properly seems to break it slightly. Not that it hurt.. my nails are too weak to feel pain or anything .....the hard callus built up under the big toe.. and minor toughening of skin on the tops of my toes... just made me do a double take. UGH! My feet look horrible!

In my defense I have NOT been taking of my feet... They are the last things on my mind especially now with winter and all those amazing comfy socks ( my weakness  ---  Seriously, think of your favourite comfort food.... and now picture it's an equivalent in sock form    zomg! Baked macaroni and cheesey soft socks....H E A V E N...) I LOVE comfy socks, and my toes can be lost in these fluffy-kins for days. Out of sight out of mind. 

But WOW! I really need to start taking a moment to appreciate the hard work my feet go through, and the toll standing completely on your tip toes can take on your limbs. ( especially more painful if your technique isn't great or you're wearing bad shoes.......i.e knuckling/bunions/ etc)


Take care of your tootsies... you need them... and they need you.

1. 
   

Prizes!

You're looking at one of the selected winners of a Halloween Contest Giveaway fellow Blogger Rori Roars  http://roriroars.wordpress.com/ offered in October.


Yay! Prizes! I won the Ballet Beautiful Classical 60min Workout made by Mary Helen Bowers - You know ... she helped whip Natalie Portman into shape for her role in The Black Swan (awesome movie btw ) Before this contest I didn't even know this workout series existed... wow how out of the loop am I ?? Gee, what other amazing gems are out there that I am missing out on.. huh?!

Anyways, Yay! So I got this in DVD in the mail a couple weeks back, but I wasn't able to try it out until the other day. ( Complete with personalized note from Rori - Aww, nice touch <3 )

 Hmm... what's that? You can't read it? Ha! Too bad! It's not for you! Teehee

 So it's been a hectic couple weeks, between work, ballet class and having company in town  - I just couldn't muster the energy or space to try it out.

This DVD has quite a few exercises which are all done on the floor... (too easy right? WRONG! ) Each exercise is specific to a certain body part - Legs, Abs, Arms, etc.. and are done in 4 sets of 8, increasing in difficulty.

She does offer beginner poses as well for those that are just starting, and simple stretches.

What I love about this DVD is that it cuts straight to the chase. It's like it gets right down to it... you work hard on each body part and each exercise targets that area to make results. I also love how she is always reminding you to keep your tummy muscles working (which I always forget) and that within seconds you literally feel the burn. Trust me, it burns bad!

The only thing I don't like about this DVD (but I can't really complain - it's a simple fix ) is that it almost seems backwards. You start on the floor with all these exercises and then at the end there is a small cardio series. I've learned my lesson though.. I didn't bother to warm up at all before starting this video... so next time I think I will just play the cardio part FIRST.. then go back to the floor exercises.


Overall this DVD kicked my ass! I am sooo sore... I could hardly keep up. My legs were dead within mins, but I really appreciate how this DVD gets right to the point and gets the job done! I am very weak in my legs and abs and I am very excited to (once the pain goes away - lol ) incorporate this DVD into my weekly workout.


Thanks again Rori! <3

Ballet Tights Revealed

Pink ballet tights....... OMG the horror! Actually ballet tights serve a purpose. First, they are a soft pink colour which goes well with almost every outfit.......

Let's Talk... Pointe Shoes...

Pointe shoes are an amazing part of every Ballet Dancer's life. We all wish.. dream about, and work hard for that final nod or approval that we are finally ready! It's a huge deal... and trust me all the work it takes to achieving such an amazing goal (although the process can be very hard) in the end pays off. After all the effort, you can fully enjoy your reward... that rewarding, yet, PAINFUL pointe shoe experience.

No turns today

Ugh! Pirouettes...just not happening today! Whhhhyyyyyy?!?!?!?!     /Sadface

I love pirouettes... I practice on my way to the kitchen, I practice while cooking in the kitchen... I practice between combinations in class when the teacher is busy grabbing music.

Today, the pirouettes were gone...vanished... poof! I fell out of my releve... I couldn't spot... ugh it was a mess, but my teacher was very supportive (as always ) .."next time." We all have our off days.

On a positive note however, I have decided that I am not pushing my highest demi pointe.... I'm sure I could try harder with that one, and there's always room for more toe-ball-heel. At least the jumps were easier though. Yay! Small steps.... Ah well time to go practice!

Ballerina Dove

I have a pet dove, (laughing dove) nothing at all like those big fat pigeons you find in the street sucking up bread tossed at them like vacuums. He is quite the character. He gets in these moods though, like split personalities. One moment he's attacking you with his wing boxing fighting style or dive bombing your head while cackling wildly, and other times he is just a big softie cooing away to get pet. He loves to snuggle.

After a very close call with my pointe shoes (scraping bird poop off pink satin is not what I had planned for the day) I had the greatest idea ever. Doves in pointe shoes and tutu's!.... wait! I'm not those kinds of people that would ever dress up my dog or cat (well I did one time for Halloween a very long time ago - but it wasn't my dog and it wasn't my idea- I just helped )

I searched everywhere online for a picture someone MUST have done this before right?? But all I could find was a bunch of dogs, cats, and parrots.  Lol, poor thing!

 

 Oh yeah and this cute rat... in a tutu! Awwww.

Ballet Class Clothing and Insecurities

 Continued from last post.... There were some ideas I wanted to expand upon.....


So after all the bloating issues, and tights problem.. why do I continue to wear them? And not just throw on some yoga pants or shorts and a tank top?

Battle of the Bloat

Remember that not so fun topic I mentioned a few days ago..... well here it is, Bloating. There is nothing fun about being or feeling bloated, ESPECIALLY when you are just about to squeeze into the tiny leotard that magnifies every line and wrinkle under the damn thing. Let's not forget either, those dreaded muffin rolls from the waist bands of your tights (some brands are worse then others) that unless you are stick thin (which I'm totally not!) cuts into your tummy at the softest part until you manage to position it high enough on the torso that it "holds everything in."

IN YOUR FACE!!!!

I was in pointe class the other day... we were all lined up along the barre when the teacher came around to make her adjustments. When it was my turn, it started as usual with... pull up those hamstrings.. long.. long.. use those muscles, thighs! up.. up!..up! Good... now pointe through the foot.. more! more!

And then...for the briefest moment my feet actually felt like they were really starting to lengthen in my shoes, all ten toes super straight, my arches pushing hard through my ankles and my legs working so hard that they started to tremble a bit from all the effort......when all of a sudden........ my feet inside my pointe shoes felt like they started to bend the the shoes so much that I was pushing over my box...like way over...like almost.... all-the-way-over-over....Roger, Roger.

I had never managed to push through my shoes quite like that before, but I am pretty sure I did exactly what my teacher wanted me to for all of about 30 seconds...but it was a great 30 seconds!

( a VERY extreme example of the kind of sensation I felt for the brief moment)

Maybe thats just what "getting over the box" actually feels like... ??? I have no idea, but it was awesome! I didn't get a chance to take a look at it, to see what I was actually doing... so I decided to pull out the camera.

Ugh! You are never quite prepared to see just how bad you look.... then you actually see yourself. It's terrible! Not that I ever thought it would look even close to graceful... but the errors in technique are so abundant, it's almost depressing.

Well... I didn't manage to get that same feeling again in my pointe shoes.... but I noticed the many things I need to improve on... (thank gawd I only stuck with plies and some releves on pointe)


Need more leg strength. My teachers have already told me that I really need to improve my leg strength.. that it is affecting my pirouettes, my releves, my extensions, flexibility......etc... etc.. She gave me an exercise so, hopefully that will help.

I need to work on my feet ALOT more. Must push the arch through the ankle more! more! more! Time to break out the thera-bands.

Neck and head... Gaaaaah! This is horrible.. to much neck pushing forward. Must keep my ears back.

Lets see..... Aaack! Is that a dropped elbow?!?! Eeeeeck! And that tummy it just hangs out!  /facepalm

Bruises and pink tights

I am always bruised. I don't think there has been a straight week where I was free of bruises. Out of nowhere there would always seem to be a new one pop up somewhere on my body.

My legs are always speckled in bruises, some weeks they can range in sizes from quarters all the way up to the size of my palm. Which is pretty big, and very obvious especially since they are always so dark purple/blue.

Last week, literally within 2 days.. I managed to get 3 very large and obvious bruises all on the same leg. The first one was when I tripped over my garbage can. I didn't realize it was right in the middle of the hall after being emptied and somebody didn't bother to put it back. (>.<) This little can packs a punch, it's one of those ones with a heavy weighted bottom. I kicked my shin into it so hard knocking it over and onto the carpet... at least it was empty, heh. Then... I got a large palm sized bruise on my thigh from trying to unsuccessfully maneouver my new bed into placed and bumped into the cupboards handle and then... after my nice new bed was just made I ended up smacking the right side of my outer shin on the corner of the bed post! Gaaaaah!! And that one still hurts!

Shhheeeesh!

Pink tights do nothing to cover these bad boys. I can only imagine what my teachers are thinking. I've heard there are creams out there that are suppose to help, I've also heard that increasing vitamin C might help....so, I dunno, maybe I'll have to pop into the drug store and give it a shot.

Fingers crossed!

"You know you're a dancer when....."

I've seen these kinds of threads before... all over ballet and dance related forums or blogs. As amusing as they were to read, I never thought anything could ever really apply to me.

After all.. a dancer.. I am not.

Yet, the other day I had to snicker at myself...


So here I was working one day... it was a pretty long day, which started rather early (so much for my get up and stretch plans! >.< ) Being the "last minute" type of person that I am (why can't I ever be on time??? I really.. REALLY... try.. but no matter how early I wake up or leave.. I'm always at least 2-3 mins behing) WHY!!!!?!?!?!

er... so yeah.. I had to rush off to work... so  I didn't have time to eat... or make my mental checklist of the rooms/house  ((i.e do I have this... and this.. and this...???? did I turn off this...  and this...??)) and much like all the other times I never get the chance to mentally check off my list... I of course forgot quite a few things... one of the those items was water.

Well... I work with alot of people that never seem to drink water. I don't understand it because I am always thirsty (I am not diabetic as far as I know O,o) but still.. talking to people...(so many people... ) just kills your mouth, drains it out.. I MUST have water, erm... (and gum).. BUT thats another obsession I will get into later....

Luckily while digging through my purse I realize I have enough change to buy a drink from the vending machine (over-priced- bottle-of-water btw...) so up from my desk I leapt and bolted to the machine down the hall.


5 mins or so later I am digging through the filth of my purse... scraping old gum off coins.. palming each coins total.... adding it up.... $1.50..... $1.55....Oooo a quarter!!!.... $1.80.....$1.90.... AH HA...$2.00!!!  Yep water costs $2.00 here. you can forget about that O.J.  That will cost ya up to Two-fitty! But, hey! have this chocolate bar with all the extra fat.. for $1.25..... Like really?? Really.

Errr.. so anyways mid through, when I hit about the $1.80 mark I suddenly realized that while standing in front of this over priced vending machine, as I was digging for change, I had without realizing it,...managed to prop my purse up onto a very balanced and turned out attitude devant leg,  I couldn't believe it! And just like most amazing dreams,  as soon It's realized it..."I suddenly awoke" I lost all my balance, and I couldn't restore it. ..  I had to resort to propping up my purse against the machine itself. My amazing balance fading into mist much like your favourite dream vanishes behind those sandy eyes upon wakening.

Ahh sigh. "You know you're a dance when...."   

In my dance bag

I had to do some serious cleaning the other day, and, came across my dance bag. I've seen youtube videos of bloggers posting about what's in their dance bags, and was always like ...Ahhh... hmm... oohhh... and never for a second really even considered my own bag as being anything worth mentioning.

Yet, the other day I just had to go through my bag( it was getting pretty full and it was laundry day) As I was pulling this and that out of it, sifting through what was dirty, what was clean, and, Oh that's where that went...and... how did that get in there.. moments....I figurered that perhaps its these items from those moment that make a dance bag what it is.... or is it?

Anyways, It's not like I planned and purposely placed these items in there out of experience, or necessity. I really just threw these things in there while picking up laundry, stashing away odds and ends, or lazily tossing things "out of sight/will deal with them latter" objects.

Okay so, first off, im still very much a noob so, I'm proabably missing out on a ton of items "every dancer should carry" but when it came down to my net blog topic entry for today, it was either this or some topic not quite as fun.... so I picked fun FTW!

..and..ah 5...6...7...8!

When I was first told to start counting... back in the early beginner days, you know those days were you think you know it all.. ballet hard? ha! Forgetaboutit! Those super early days when "you just know you're a "natural" and really haven't figured out just what you were getting yourself into...

Ah c'mon I'm sure most of us were there at one time.. one of my classmates even admitted it out loud a few weeks ago. It's really kinda funny, the process of learning ballet. From know it all.. to knowing absolutely nothing so quickly, I'm sure it might be some of the reason why there are so many adults dropping out after a class or two. It's a shame really... I always thought the hardest part was just gathering the courage to walk into that first class...

Anyways, so yeah... I put it off... counting that is. I would let the music lead me... or my memory should hold up just fine.. and it did... back when it was easy. When there wasn't alot really going on, and following the movements of the bunhead in front of you was the simplest solution.

But now, it's just not possible.. and when I finally gave up trying to remember combinations and actually started counting each step, everything seemed to click. Why I waited so long to give in, I'll never know. But it really, really does work.

As soon as I started counting my movements in class, and listening to the music, I finally saw it.. it smacked me so hard in the face ... PATTERNS! There are patterns to the exercises! How did I never see this before?! Where have I been all these months? It's the same studio room... the same ole wooden barre, but the movements are so much clearer. 

It's the weirdest of sensations. Another of my classmates said... one day it will just "click."

Lazy Sunday on a Tuesday

I know what I should be doing.... I know I should be up and practicing yesterdays ballet class, the steps, the beats, that pirouette I didn't complete, and that combination of steps I shuffled awkwardly through.

It is my day off afterall, and I was looking forward to spending time at my barre (Mr. STB made me a very nice portable barre) and then finish up with some stretching (those splits aren't going to split themselves) But I just can't get myself out of bed... and away from this computer.

Perhaps a good inspiring quote can wake me up... or give a boost to someone else.

“The start is what stops most people.”

- Don Shula

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”

- Jerry Rice

Hard or Soft

Ahh... pointe shoes. You love em.. you hate em... you cut, sew, scratch, glue, break in, dry out...

Hate them what??! You're probably asking yourself is that even possible?? Well, my very first pair... yep, hated them. They were way too hard, the vamp far too long, and the width insanely narrow. I tried extra padding, less padding, crushing the box, and bending them.

Although the ones in the store seemed to fit really well and were comfortable, the ones I got sent home with were a nightmare. Besides the aching pain on the tops of my toes, the bunion area burning, and the lack of proper placement on the platform, these shoes probably could have killed me!


Fast forward to my current pair. First glance they probably look way too soft, and I probably look like my toes are clawing, or I'm not pulling up and out of my shoes, but honestly I love them!

I love, love, love, love soft shoes! I don't understand it, but bloch feels incredibly soft to me. These shoes were broken/molded to my feet literally within seconds of wearing them. My right foot is stronger then my left, and I am pretty sure I broke the shank in an odd way that I had to switch it to my left foot. (much weaker) Yet I love them!

Yes they are super soft, and take a bit extra work rising to full pointe from flat, but I can feel the floor in them.. I can feel the platform and where to balance, and I can concentrate on really lengthening through my foot in these shoes.

I'm going to be so sad when they die... I'm crossing my fingers they last for at least a few months.

I don't really know if wearing a softer shoe is a bad or good thing when it comes to learning how to dance on pointe... but I know I REALLY prefer the very soft and broken in feel of shoes and despise the hard ones.

The feet of the first girl in this picture feel alot like (and I think) look similar to mine. Where the toes almost seem to bend and the the rest of the foot "sits" in the shoe. Maybe it's just the shoe.....

It all adds up

Well another ballet class under my belt. I left my class feeling renewed, with a bounce in my step, a huge smile on my face, and with more energy then when I went in. I jogged briskly to the car and plopped into the seat with a sigh. I felt very happy and content as I thought back on all the steps we went through in class., all the challenges, the "felt like you could die jumps" the "leg muscles slowly turning ever so mushy during adage," and that amazingly rewarding feeling of almost nailing an exercise.

I actually had some control in my pirouettes prep today, which felt awesome! I've been trying to work on them outside of class. This week I only managed to practice them for about 20mins on Tues, last week I spent 4x 20mins, and I could feel myself getting slightly closer to gaining that strength, and  the power to ."...propel... UP...and.. HOLD..HOLD...now come down with control not because you HAVE to.. but because you WANT to!" I actually was able to hold today my releve, with foot in passe alot longer then I thought and my grin must have been as wide as the room in that moment. hehee :)

If only I could take classes every day, I think I would be on cloud 9.

Alright enough of all that! Now down to business!

Notes:
push more toe-ball-heel
use those stomach muscles (they are in there somewhere)
more hamstrings! pull up, up up!
Lower arms during back bends...
Try to remember port de bra.. (I really don't understand why I always forget these)
and of course... count, count count count.... 


Oooo long list. :)

Side note.. some of the girls in my class today were wearing the most amazing warmups. I wish I could wear them too, but I have the worst luck finding any in my size. Yet, now I am wondering what in my closet don't I wear anymore... hmm maybe it's time to get creative??? hmmm......

YAY PICTURE TIME!

Wow, I'm back, how do I work this again?!

It's been almost a year since my last post. I really don't have anything to say for myself. Starting a blog takes alot of time and I can appreciate the amount of hard work that goes into it. I'm hoping to really dedicate at least 10mins a day to this blog...that is if I can remember my way around this place.


Well, it's been over a year and I am still happily pursuing my ballet obsession. Hard to believe when I look back that I've already gone through over a year of classes, actually pushed through each term, as well as, sweat buckets through barrework on some of the hottest days of summer. It was worth it though, ery drop of sweat, every foot cramp, and all those aching muscles.

I've picked up another pointe class this year which is very exciting. The other day I noticed a small bruise on the side of my foot after pointe class, Mr. STB rolled his eyes and sighed as I proudly pointed out my battle wound.

Pointe work is always incredibly hard. I just can't seem to get the strength needed (or the courage) of hoping from plie on one leg directly up and onto both fully stretched pointed feet. Aaagh, this is the toughest part so far in my pointework!

Barrework is getting a little easier... Ha! Did I really just type that?! I am the worst when it comes to barrework! I just can't seem to figure out how to use my arms separate from what my legs are doing and it really shows. My leg extensions, cambre back needs work, and my flexibility is miles away. This is actually much of the reason I decided to get back to this blog, a place to focus on my weaknesses, plan of attack and view my progress.

I am determined to gain more, retain more, and improve more then I have last year.. fingers crossed :/

Alright, so here goes:
This week my goals are:
-Stretch at least 3x / week  (I will have to find some good stretches/stretch routine somewhere)
-practice what I find mostly challenging at home (balancing in releve with foot in passe & hold)
 Why are pirouettes so much harder from 5th then any other position anyways!! T.T
 -core work at least 3x week


Today isn't exactly the start of the week, but, I'm going to treat it that way anyways :P