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November 12, 2011

Turn Til You Drop

Sometimes you gotta push yourself. Go for it, and try to turn out of your comfort zone. Believe there is a triple or more waiting for you. So what if you turn and crash-land your pirouette? A bruised knee is not the end of the world. And pride´s got nothing to do with it either. Pros fall down all the time. At least that´s what my teacher told me when my nose was close enough to the floor to smell the marley. :)

It just means you want more and tried harder. Good for you!

Practicing piqué turns en manege. Photocollage by Barry Kite.

6 comments:

  1. Maybe it needs some crashing to break those borders?

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  2. Hi Aija,

    I just learned from the lovely Rebecca of
    Tendus Under a Palmtree that whenever someone falls in class or rehearsal, they clap! Because it shows that "they really went for it." Her ballet company (Miami City Ballet) sounds like such a supportive and fun place to dance and work in!

    It´s a shame we don´t do that here in Finland. When I tumbled on the floor, there were some gasps, and someone asked if I was alright and all.. But no claps. Our teacher then told the class that falling down is not a bad thing (unless you get hurt). It means you tried more than before!

    I guess we should be less afraid of taking some risks.

    Thanks Aija for commenting :)

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  3. I keep thinking that the fact of falling down in class is not something to be ashamed of, but something to be proud of. It is a display of your hard effort. If you fall down today, you will be up tomorrow. If there is a dancer who has never fallen in class, it means that they are not doing their best!

    *Claps!*

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  4. Hahhahaa, thanks Nerea! Just did a little reverance here :)

    But you´re right of course. If you´re forever holding back, how can you progress? Not saying that we should go for the fall every class. Not saying I WANT to fall down every class. I mean you try, try and try again. That´s when you´ll actually manage to get it right and stay up! :)

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  5. I've started substitute teaching at a ballet studio here in the US...and after not dancing for over 12 years, I am a little concerned at accidentally falling...lol. Thanks for the great reminder about pride lol!

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  6. Hi Gayla!

    I wouldn´t push myself too far in those first classes, better to do a neat single than fall flat on the first attempted sixtuplet! ;)

    Anyway, I love dancers/teachers who are not afraid to take a risk once in a while, and who can laugh at themselves! :)

    I hope you have a good experience teaching, and dancing again!

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To That Special Ballet Teacher

To that special ballet teacher, who not only teaches you about technique, but helps build your confidence, nurtures your inner artist, ...