I’m one of those people in the ballet community who studied ballet intensively as a child and teenager before life got in the way. I completed nearly all the old RAD vocational examinations and performed in many shows in my native Belfast but on moving to the other side of the country I never found a teacher that fitted; unfortunately I let that weaken my passion for ballet and one day I stopped going altogether. I took up yoga which I still practice, but nothing beats a gruelling session at the barre followed by a demanding centre practice. I love when you see your ribs heaving in the mirror because you’re out of breath after repertoire work and you can glimpse tomorrow’s sore legs.
More
than 10 years later my
friend told me about an amazing Teacher who had begun teaching in
Galway (west of Ireland) and that I should give her a try. So I went
to the attic and re-discovered my box of old ballet gear that I had
not worn since my mid twenties. Some items I was glad to discard
like the 80s inspired shiny pink spandex leggings with the stirrup
foot (you know you owned them too so no judgement please) but others
I knew I could still wear like my old royal blue RAD examination
leotards. I’d look semi-respectable in that.
It
was a strange feeling before class that day; a mixture of the
familiar combined with apprehension. Pulling on the black leggings
and blue leotard to then realise I’d look far from semi-respectable
as I had left the house with only one ballet shoe and the shoe I had
with me was a old Gamba Delco with a hole in the toe. I tried to
remember what warm up rituals I used to go through before class
started and realised with dismay that my turn out and flexibility had
disappeared.
60
minutes later and I was hooked again. I told my Teacher that I was
so frustrated because I couldn’t do what I used to be able to
achieve in terms of strength and flexibility. She said to me (and
I’ll change the geography so everyone can understand): If you want
to travel to New York you’re going to have to start in California
because that’s where you are now. It doesn’t matter that you
used to be in Illinois. A hard pill to swallow, but over the weeks I
was surprised how much I improved and my muscle memory kicked in. I
wouldn’t say I have reached New York yet, but I do believe I have
surpassed llinois - so I’ll keep dancing.
- Ciara Greenwood
BIO
BIO
Ciara Greenwood completed nearly all the old vocational RAD examinations in Belfast at the Laura Walker School of ballet. Laura celebrated the 25th anniversary of her ballet school in June 2014 with a ballet gala in the Grand Opera House in Belfast and Ciara returned to her old school to dance Aurora’s wedding solo from Sleeping Beauty. She now dances on a part time basis and is principal dancer with Ballet Áthas in Galway under the Artistic Director Sharon Vandermerwe.
That's really amazing lots of children also take interest in this activity .
ReplyDeletereally great work out .
its increasing day by day lots of people start to take interest in ballet dance .
Ballet business | \A\Rachel Withers
Become a ballet instructor | Where can I go to a ballet fitness class
Wow, I really look up to you. I absolutely love to hear stories from adult ballerinas like you. Just the courage that it takes to pursue such a physically demanding hobby alone is very impressive! Passionate, mature, experienced ballerinas will always inspire me to push myself and to continue ballet. Well done. I am sending good vibes your way.
ReplyDeleteNever give up, or stop dancing.
yes I have great respect for the fact that my teacher makes a point of not only imparting his knowledge of ballet as a skills i m much inspire this kind of event.
ReplyDeleteSet Up A Ballet Fitness Business in UK | Ballet instructor in UK