Le ballet est begun, y’all.

One thing I’d forgotten: It’s all in French, and I remember most of the terms. Hooray! Not bad for only learning them in other kinds of dance classes…

I had a hard time with relevé, mostly because it felt like the leather pads on the bottom of my shoes were…out of place. I wanted to chuck the shoes and dance barefoot.

I’ve still got leftover good posture from marching, but my strength and balance are all effed up. I have zero strength in my feet and more to lift with them than I did at, say, age 10. This is going to hurt for a little bit.

I am not as stiff as I expected to be today, and I am not sore at all. I think that’s because I did a little treadmill work on Monday and ballet stretched out those muscles in addition to annoying some others.

I am already displeased that we don’t have class next week because of the inauguration. Retraining muscles I haven’t used in almost 20 years is going to take some repetition. I would like to practice at home but the routine is a little fuzzy after only one class…I’m sure the internets can provide enough direction to keep me on track. And I have modern dance on Saturday, so I hope that will keep the momentum going, if not in exactly the same direction.

The teacher is great and seems to generate a good bit of loyalty — there are some repeat students in her class, and I felt the way I’m sure new students felt in Jen Laberge’s classes; after a while, we were certainly an odd little clique. But she teaches in a very loose fashion and has some great tips, like “In ballet, if you’re comfortable, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

Right up my alley, this.

What else I have learned

Do not leave dance clothes in car all day before class. Brrr.