I'm the Black Swan Now

Okay so really I'm just taking ballet again, several times a week actually.

It's part of my self-care, which people often confuse with "baby-gloving". Sometimes it's about continously challenging yourself and achieving a goal you never thought possible. 

For me, it was getting en pointe and following through with ballet. 

In rewatching Black Swan, the Natalie Portman psychodrama classic, which fascinated me, not only as a behavioral science student and Miss Portman fan, but also in respect for the art of classic french ballet. 

I had trained in it previously as a child but ended up going into ballet folklorico (mexican folkloric dancing). In high school, I took lessons for a few months as well, but academics took precedent and I forwent my pursuit of the classes.

One of my 2017 resolutions was to learn a new physical art, I had successfully taken on hiking last

year, pure physical cardio with strength training as well. But there wasn't grace or strength training built into it. That's when I turned to the ballet studio just up the street from me.

I thought it would be a little hard finding a place that would offer adult ballet classes. Being in SoCal I was expecting to be expected to travel to Costa Mesa or some trendy beach town where I'd be greeted by former ballerinas who are now soccer moms in Lululemon pants and gave birth while piouretting en pointe and live broadcasting to their successful social media sites where they inspire thousands across the world......errrr I went on a rant there.

Anyway....

Anaheim Ballet is just up the street from me and they offer adult ballet classes nearly every night Monday through Saturday.

What I love most about my ballet classes is that the fellow students are diverse in age and skill level. Everyone is so welcoming, the teachers are wonderful and personable. I find myself going back day after day not just to refine my skill and get back on my feet, but because the people I see and dance with every night make me happy and encourage me to continue.

My dispositions going into this were definitely based off some convoluted stereotype of the Southern California/Orange County housewife. I acknowledge that I let my fears and insecurities take hold of my apprehension and encourage my slow lazy approach to find and sign up for classes.

I find myself very dedicated to this. So much so I can't go a day without stretching in my room or practicing routines off Pinterest or YouTube.

Heck, I even made a Pinterest board to save all my ideas and tips for ballet. You should check it out!

I'll try and keep up my ballet blogging on here and Instagram. I think it's a fun adventure you all should join me on!