Ten Things Tuesday 2 ~

Ten Things That Probably Frustrate Every Dancer ~

1. Bad Turn Days

Is the momentum off and you have enough force to do ten pirouettes on your triple or is your center off kilter? What's going on with bad turn days? Sometimes we just can't turn properly. 

2. Speaking of center, The Adagi-no More Pretty Please

Please don't make us do adagio in the center again, we've already done it three times. Ok, maybe the fourth time I'll get that grande plié perfectly...

3. The Pointe Shoe That's Gone From Perfectly Broken In To - Banana Foot

A lot of dancers love what I call the banana foot over the dead box and super dead/taken out shank, but to me it just looks well, banana foot. 

4. The Dreaded Missed Rehearsal

What did I miss? Oh, I'm on the other side and must reverse everything? Ok, my brain loves reversing, oh we're facing the wall now too... Cool. 😉

5. The Super Star 

Yes, some of you may be the super star, but the rest of us will be working on all those fine details we've been given throughout the day's lesson and we'll look fabulous next class. To quote the amazing Barishnikov, "I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself". I love this quote, it inspires me to delve within during class and pay less attention to what other's are doing and focus on how to improve my own dancing (without giving up thinking I'll never dance as good as them).

6. The Pointe Shoe That Doesn't Quite Ever Wear In Correctly

There's the banana foot dead shoe then there's the pair of pointe shoes that never quite wears in. I have had a few pairs that the shank was pliable in but never really formed to the foot, and a pair that the box stayed super, super hard (barely able to demi pointe, yes even after dampening it) on both pairs the platform still died. These shoes will forever remain mysteriously stiff.

7. How About The Ill Fitted Shoes In General

They feel lovely in the store, these will work out nicely you think to yourself... And then you get them to class. Oh boy, something is not right, and it is aweful. Trying to focus on combinations while your feet are odd or in pain is the absolute worst! I also enjoy the canvas slippers whose lining balls up under the ball of the foot, so nice, haha!

8. The New Tights That While Stretching At Barre Snag

No further explanation need. 😒

9. The I Didn't Know It Would Be This Dangerously Low Cut Leo

Well endowed or not, this can be an issue, I'll just take my backbend as slight as possible today...I have accidentally flashed my pas de Deux class many years ago due to this very issue. No sweetheart or v-cut leotards at pas anymore. 😳

10. Being Unable To Dance Due To Any Factors

The absolute most frustrating annoyance is being unable to dance. Be it that day, month, months or most terrifyingly years. There is nothing worse than not dancing! So, take all the frustrations of dance and remember the joy that dance brings. The next class you take be sure to enjoy yourself and remember that you are blessed to able to dance. Make the movements count, work on corrections, take constructive criticism as a positive (the teacher wants you to be the best dancer you can be, and telling you what to fix will do just that) and don't forget to smile.