Disappointed: I absolutely STINK at ballet

[theSurlyMermaid]

Hey all...

I am feeling a little down today...it's hard to explain why. Basically, I wanted to do something fun with my mother and I suggested we take an adult ballet class together. The first class was last night and she absolutely hated it! It didn't help that we were absolutely terrible and spent much of evening laughing at each other. I used to dance ballet as a child and I wasn't bad...but I ended up stopping because it seemed like it was all going very fast and I couldn't see it going anywhere with my back problems (scoliosis). But that was ages ago, and now I can't plie to save my life!

Ever since we moved from NYC, I am just so lost. Granted, I wanted to quit my job there because of constant stress, so in many ways this little break has been good for me, but I wanted to do something like take a class or just something new and different. But everything I try just ends up to be a disappointing experience.

Now I guess I'll try horseback riding lessons. I always wanted to do that as well. The next thread from me will probably be entitled "Help! Am now in traction!"

 

[SRUAlmn]

I teach dance classes and I understand how frustrating it can be when you feel you aren't good at something. That's always me too...the only one who doesn't quite seem to get it. But with dance, it takes time. You can't be good right away, especially if you haven't danced since you were little. Before I started teaching it had been about 9 years since I danced, so it really took me a while to get back in the swing of things. If you really hated it (not just because you think you weren't good at it) then do something else, but if it's only because you don't think you were good I really think you should give it some time and practice. It will make a BIG difference- I promise

 

[pjlla]

How about trying Yoga??....................P

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

It was more than feeling like I wasn't good at it (because I wasn't, but this was an adult beginner class...NO ONE was), it was that my mom's disgust with the whole thing sapped my enjoyment. At the very least, I thought it was comedy gold to see the two of us crashing around the dance studio, but all she could do was sigh loudly every time she got lost (which was alot).

I suppose I could continue on my own, but I thought it would be fun to do something together.

Also, the class was packed...the teacher had no time to correct anyone's mistakes in form. I mean, what I was doing looked NOTHING like what she was doing, but she couldn't tell me what I was doing wrong...although I expect it may have kept her there for the rest of the night!


eta: pjilla, I DO want to do a yoga class! Maybe I'll start looking into those!

 

[holycow]

It's just like I tell my children....it doesn't happen in a day...it takes practice, practise, practise....

Was it really a disappointment? It sounds like you and your mom had a great time...you made a memory! Maybe your expectations were too high and you thought you'd just pick up right where you left off...don't be so hard on yourself!

I say give it another go...give it a few months then decide if you want to do horseback riding lessons!

(PS...I took ice skating lessons a few years ago and had the best time! I was really terrible but it was fun!


HOlycow

just read the part about mom...can't help you there! If it was my mom I wouldn't have even done it with her...she is so - .

 

[snoopy]

I wish we lived in the same neighborhood -- your comment about seeing the "comedy gold" makes me think you are my kind of friend. I love people who can laugh at themselves. I took ballet as a child too, and I shudder at the thought of doing it now - even though I am QUITE sure it would produce HUGE laughs.

What other activities are you and your Mom interested in? Perhaps you can find something that you both like and have a more natural inclination toward. I say keep trying until you find it!

Good luck!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

holycow, yeah, you know I thought my mom would have a fun time with it, but I think I just mis-judged it big time. I mean, I thought it was fun, but she thought it was a waste of time and money. I guess I think 10 or 15 bucks is no big deal if you end up laughing and, as you rightly said, making a memory.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have to commend you for trying something different, having some fun along the way and looking for more interesting things to do. Neat.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

I would love to do it, but I know I wouldn't have had the nerve! Good for you.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Hey, thanks guys! The funny thing is, when I was younger I never wanted to do anything like taking classes or learning new things. But now that I have the opportunity (not working right now) I wanted to do things I couldn't do when I was tied down to an office.

 

[DisneyJules]

I danced ballet for about 5 years. It always takes a while to adjust to something so new. You have to train your body over time how it feels to stand and move a certain way. I just took up the violin (I'm 20) My teacher was telling me it'll take 3 months to become really comfortable holding the violin properly, I guess in other words, it just becomes natural. He says it takes 3 months generally to settle into anything new.
Good-luck, it'll get better!!!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Originally posted by snoopy
I wish we lived in the same neighborhood -- your comment about seeing the "comedy gold" makes me think you are my kind of friend. I love people who can laugh at themselves. I took ballet as a child too, and I shudder at the thought of doing it now - even though I am QUITE sure it would produce HUGE laughs.

What other activities are you and your Mom interested in? Perhaps you can find something that you both like and have a more natural inclination toward. I say keep trying until you find it!

Good luck!

Hey, snoopy, I bet we live REALLY close to each other! You are in Washington D.C? I live in Fairfax, Virginia!!

As for other activities my mom and I are interested in....well, we meet up several times a week to exercise and do Pilates. We often have lunch and just talk. I think the key for my mom is that she doesn't like things to a. cost money or b. require her to drive longer than 10 minutes. That sort of limits us!

eta: DisneyJules, I know you are right...but I'm wondering if the class is so packed you don't get any individual attention, am I ever going to learn the right way to do it? When I danced ballet as a kid, I was in a class with maybe 3 or 4 other girls....the woman who taught it was able to really work with each of us individually. In this class, I felt like I was kicking my legs wildly in a futile attempt to keep up. Then at the end, the teacher would say..."Good." Good?!! On what planet?

But man, it was SO funny!

 

[Sleepy]

I am sorry you feel that way. Ballet is a tough form of dance. I don't know of many who could take it as a child and then pick it back up as an adult quickly. Did you enjoy the barre work during your warm up? That is the most important part of the class. Flexibility will come with time. Just remember the adults in that class have been taking for a while and are use to the instructor. My son has been taking classes for the last 4 years. he is in a local ballet company. he is 12 years old and recently got a new instructor. he was very different from the other teachers and expected everyone to pick up on things quickly. It took my son time, but he adjusted. The important thing was my son had been taking classes for 3 years when that happened, was flexible and already knew body placement and all steps. You are learning all over again. It will take time. I say try the class without mom. Ask for private lessons or go to a ballet school that offers them. Do you take classes at a ballet school or a dance studio or maybe a community center? That makes a difference. Hope you find something you enjoy doing. Being really good at dance takes natural talent, but if you don't get proper training, even the talented person will never be good....and I don't think you will get what you want to achieve where you took classes.

 

[Rajah]

Maybe you could try another form of dance?

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I'm heavily considering just doing the class without mom. My goals for the class were actually pretty modest:

1. to improve posture: This is a big one for me. I have scoliosis and anything to help improve my posture is a good thing.

2. Increase flexibility: As flexibility goes, I'm not too bad, but nowhere near what ballet takes. I do like to exercise and I always feel like I don't adequately stretch and I thought ballet might help with that.

3. To do something I remember liking (and not being too bad at) when I was a kid.

I'm pleased with all the support I'm getting on these boards...to talk to my mom, you'd think I was this crazy person who was just dying to waste money on pointless things. She can really bring you down!!