Svetlana from lumiere ballet

Well It is Saturday ..D-day sort of speaking. As promised , I showed up a little before 2:30.
I brought pictures of some toetap dancers ,and my art work . Sort of a ice breaker and Svetlana seemed interested in seeing them . When we spoke the week before. As we waited for the studio . I opened my portfolio and let her view the art work . She said I had a real understanding for the physics of the dance. Svetlana had to speak to the mothers of the group for a few minutes .Before she entered the studio with me . So, I went ahead As I entered the main studio . I came across a grey floor material . Some sort of floating floor with a echo . I know because when my shoes hit it . My stomach muscles tightened when it resounded into the mirrored room.I started to sweat... a coldish sweat. There was some benches by a wall before the main studio . I moved towards a started to remove my shoes and socks. At the moment Svetlana came in. Saying you can wear socks for today. I want to see your shoes . I opened my bag and showed her my blochs pointes and slippers. The slippers was new I still had not worn them . She picked up on that as soon as the hit her hand . I told her I don't even know how to do a tondu.. Oh why did I say that!
We moved towards the main studio She said Face the bar . I grabbed it like it was a life line . I rolled up my pants . Then followed her into first position Then she starts a 4 /4 down beat count . With each movement of her foot .. What .. I in trouble ! All I have to do for now is follow. She was teaching a tondu in 4/4 time.All the todus when she was done with them .She stopped at which I thought ,we was all done ...wrong! It was time for the pointe shoes and releves! I did not catch it at first because she rolled the R. When she said, you say it releve. A lump in my throat formed. OMG! In first from flat to demi to pointe back to flat,.. Then in second. I have been with physical trainers for 45 minutes .. and I have got to say . They never raised my heart beat like she did. I was sweating for real! She moved me through so many things today to see my alignment. It is still a blurr. We moved back to the area of the benches and, talked a bit.
I asked her ..you wanted to see my alignment. What did you find out .? She answered I was pleasantly surprised. She looked at me and said I am not going to charge you for to day.Come back next Saturday same time . I replied I could kiss you..thank you.
I have a TEACHER! Wa hoo! Damn I hope I remember all the steps.!

A Teacher maybe?

To all my friend who read the previous blog.
Well I done a few stupid thing in my day . That one is in the top ten so far..
I had a dear friend for many years now. She has never scolded me in anything until yesterday.
Also, I never had a future teacher tell me don't do anything else on your own . That what I here for.
To keep a promise to a dear friend . I went to seek another teacher . Svetlana from lumiere ballet was suggested. A Russian teacher it was thought that the male teacher would have .Taught me due to him being a male Russian trained dancer . It was thought he would have understood my complex set of problems.
I arrived in deer park about noon. Entered to studio , and was addressed by a woman behind a desk. I heard her talking to another dancer about getting a foot doctor. When she addressed me ,I suggested my cousin Alan Brey . Gave her his name and where he was . I said maybe I should tell you a little about myself before, I get rejected. I told her about my first encounter in elementary school with dance and ,how my mom did not want her child in tights.Told her about the previous teacher , my pointe shoes and, how I prep my feet for pointe work . At that point, she said you do not need to do all that. That the third ballet dancer that said that to me . She made me an appointment for next Saturday at 2:30 my time. She wants to see my alignment. I still don't know what she means. I told her I was trying to do a Echeppe. She said without missing a beat ...your not ready for that yet. I told her I don't understand the ballet terms . She whipped back that what I am here for. I show you...you do! Call me Friday to remind me .

At that point I left . Sweating... and I did not really know why?!
Damn My knee is really numb. My Physical Therapist is really going to lay into me on Monday for that stunt!

lost Teach

Today I called Nora for my two week review. She said she could not do it this week .Due to getting ready for a performance . To call her the middle of next week for the appointment. I said ok. Then the shoe dropped! She started with I don't really know where your going with this . I don't have a Adult pointe class I can put you in. Can you go to the city? There are a lot more options there . I look up to see if I can find you any .
I don't have the fund to travel back and forth nor do I have the time . Sigh She was perfect! I made a promise to a friend. That I would not do pointe work with out a teacher .
DAMN IT ALL!! I was having a blast! Even with the pain. I guess I'll dissasemble the ballet bar,and put away the shoes . Damn it . Sigh!!!

Two Pink Shoes

I knew my entering the world of pointe work .Was a long process . The lady that has given me a chance . Is Nora from the Ballet Center in Old Bethpage NY. A really dear a sweet woman to meet. When I introduced myself she was a bit taken . Sort of like my first intro to one of my dearest friends. When She had gotten over the shock . Then understood I had gotten a pair of pointes. From Pirouette and how she had fitted me .She wanted to see me with them. Today at 3:30 pm was the appointed time . I arrived early just to give a good impression .

There is no fooling a pro! In all reality I was not going to try. I lost a lot of knowledge after my stroke . So it is fair to say I am again a Ballet new born. She told me that most dancers Marked there shoes left of right after there broken in . Me I just started them that way. Nora looked at the shoes and the pads .Also she looked at the way I attached the elastic and ribbons. Before she let me put them on my feet . I really admire her for her carefulness. She asked me to go to the bar. Put my feet into first position . Then roll onto pointe . The minute I did . She said ,you need to learn more about ballet! See ya can not fool a pro! I was not getting over the box properly. So, She gave me three exercises to do .

One was the first position to a plie to a roll then roll down.

Second was a modified Battement tendu . The modification was at the end where the foot points. At that point I was to flex the foot upward then back down and ,go to the next part of the movement.

The third is a well To me look like a sideways runner stretch. You start out in first roll onto pointe and push one foot over the box then roll back down . I don't know what it is call yet two times made my left foot look better and my right calf scream.She got annoyed a little .Because I was looking down to see what I was doing wrong. Nora wanted me to have my ears over my shoulders. I don't know why yet she said it makes a difference.

Could any one tell me why it makes a difference?

She said to walk around the house with my shoes on . If I don't want to get them dirty , put some socks over them .

Also to get a ballet bar at 44 inches which is a good height for me . Well looks like I going down to the hardware store and building one.

She said to do them for two weeks and give her a call . I guess to see how I doing ...maybe to give me somemore excerise's to do. I really can not wait!

Well that my blog about my first baby step into pointe