When I was still training I went through this mental block with pointe shoes. Basically, I disliked my feet in pointe shoes so much that I dreaded putting them on. My whole life I didn’t have flexible feet, I had strong feet. In high school, I was so envious of girls (and guys!) with banana feet (that’s a technical term in the dance world, lol). I felt like I was on the losing end of Darwin’s natural selection, you know, a member of the species left behind, that goes extinct due to the lack of the desired phenotype variation. I would sit under the radiator stretching my feet or put them under the sofa. They slowly progressed and looked pretty good barefoot or in soft shoes but I never achieved the look I wanted them to be in pointe shoes. So while I preferred dancing in pointe shoes, and was able to do a lot of difficult steps because of my “strong” feet I was never fully happy with them.
Last week in class, the teacher was demonstrating the next exercise in class, which was a combination of pique turns from the corner, and pique turns just feel so much better in pointe shoes! I ran to my bag with little time to think and laced the old pointe shoes up! I did a little warm up while waiting in line for the other students to go. My feet felt tight and while I was pointing my hardest I’m sure the look of them was not A+ quality. But, I was moving with energy across the room and while my feet felt all sorts of awkward new/ old feelings, inside, in my heart I felt so free, and excited, and happy!
Competition:
When it comes to pursuits like dance, it’s so easy to get down on yourself about your progress and natural ability, constantly comparing yourself to others. Thoughts like trying to get your leg higher than the girl in front of you or more pirouettes than one next to you are so common throughout class. In some cases, peer competition can be a great motivation, and sometimes it can get negative. However the older I get the more I realize I do a much better service to myself if I “compete” with who I was yesterday. That keeps my energy focused on myself and my personal growth.
Different Goals:
Coming back to my dance training in a less stressful way allows me to set different goals now. While I used to feel rushed to achieve certain acrobatic goals (while sacrificing technique and placement), I now can calmly strive to have better placement and work my way up. There are certain things about my body now, less turn-out, so-so feet (ugghh lol), that just don’t bother me to the point of crippling frustration. Feeling the floor in my tendu’s is more important than hitting the 180-degree turn-out etc. This approach is definitely a healthier approach for both the body and mind.
Images by Christine Lee
The photos made me click on the link, the writing made me stay 🙂 Great message girl, inspiring and relatable. Will keep this in mind during my next workout session! Would love to see you dance IRL soon 🙂
I love this! I used to dance and miss it so much. I’m so happy to see you are sticking with it!
Maggie @ Polished Closets
How pretty!! I was classically trained in ballet for 16 years! It was my life and I loved my pointe shoes, it is so true about how your goals of dance can change.
Oh wow! Where did you dance? <3
This outfit is so cute! Love how you styled it!
@samanthabowers_
http://www.thefitbrunette.com
Thank you!
Girl you are STUNNING in these photos!! Beautiful post!
xo Lacey
Thank you 🙂
these photos are gorgeous and you’re amazing! Love this post!
Thank you so much darling!
Oh, my goodness! This is absolutely beautiful! The dress, your form, the concept! Please, style more looks around your dance talent! My daughter used to dance ballet for six years and it has given her the best foundation for life!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Thank you so much! Yes I am wanting to do more mixes of ballet and fashion <3 Ballet is SUCH a great foundation for musicality, posture, discipline, work ethic and intro into the classical arts! Always worth it!
Pointe shoes are so hard! I did it for years and it definitely takes a toll on your feet. But I love your beautiful maxi!
April | http://www.thebluehydrangeas.com
Thanks so much! Yes it does! But I can’t think of a shoe that makes me happier ( even though its a love hate relationship lol)
OH MY GOD! I am in LOVE all these shots! I wish I could stand on my toes like that! Gorgeous!
Thank you so much dear! Ahhh it comes with a price of not very sandal friendly toes! lol
This post is so beautiful! I love the goals and that dress is stunning!
These picks are beautiful! I have taken ballet since I was 3 years old! Loved how you incorporated it !
These are beautiful photos! I love how you showed this dress in such a unique way. Your story is so relatable to both dance (which I used to do, too!) and life! Thank you for being so open!
~Hillary
http://www.styleinasmalltown.com
Thank you so much dear! It feels great to talk and share about dance! How long did you dance for?