Juliet is Back

It was a nice surprise this morning when Juliet was warming up as we have not had her for the past 3 weeks. She has been rehearsing for the Ballet Lorent tour so other teachers have been stepping in to cover (Rose and Mona). I really have enjoyed Juliet’s classes in second year and I achieved quite high marks too. This has made me think I am going to try to achieve higher marks this year!

For the past week or so my right ankle/foot has been playing up but it has not caused me as much hassel as it has done this morning. I struggled walking to dance but I did not want to sit out on the first of Juliet’s classes so I just grinned and bared it.  I felt as if I did the class to the best as I could, however with foot exercises and rises I could not perform these without being in a pain. This did put a bit of a ‘downer’ on the class because I was in a different frame of mind.

Today we concentrated on Cunningham technique. I did notice today a lot of things I could improve on. I do not know if that is because I was in different frame of mind and was not on my game but more things stood out to me than normal! We began with an exercise focusing on upper back curves. Instead of rebounding back up, I need to deepen my curve each time with the small pulses. Also when performing a high release I need to elongate my neck and not ‘crunch’ and shorten it at the back. I think I need to pay attention to my arms as much as I do my legs. My second position began to get sloppier and sloppier as the exercise continue. I need to use my back to keep my arms in a strong second. Whilst performing foot exercises I tend to go into a blur as I am concentrating so much on what my feet and legs are doing. I need to have focus and performance as well even though it is just in the studio.

I don’t think my brain was working today! When we began to travel and use the space more I felt was not there, especially the triplet exercise! I think I need to practice this exercise for next week!

Juliet gave the class some very good advice: always have the right frame of mind. Say to yourself “I can do this exercise”. This will sets you up for good performance even if get the movement wrong.

This week I will take it easy on my foot so I don’t strain it even further. Lets hope my ankle will not get worse!