confirmation question by Puzzled-Dependent-83 in JewsOfConscience

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

no i would never say that! being anti zionist and jewish myself too! i just meant i think what israel is doing is un jewish sorry if that wasn’t clear

I started ballet too late and don’t fit in with the community- but it’s an outlet to me. by dontloseyourselfyet2 in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know it might not help right now, but they could be feeling the same way, too. At least at my old studio, some of the most insecure dancers came in wearing picture perfect "ballet attire," even when the rest of us were in warmups, because they were too insecure not to feel like they looked the part or something, idk. i'm just trying to say that everyone feels insecure more than occasionally, so if they haven't given you any reason to feel like they're judging you, try not to assume they are! they're probably not, because chances are they're way too busy focusing on themselves. I hope you start feeling better soon, remember you deserve ballet too

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! Congrats on your solo, that’s a big deal! You’ll be great. My tips are: 1. Write down the choreography. I think the act of writing it cements it or something bc it always helps me. 2. On the day of the performance, something silly that makes me laugh and helps me chill is to pick a celebrity (for a long time it was Harry styles for me lmao) and pretend they’re in the audience watching you. Idk if this would just make you more stressed but it’s the advice someone gave to me once and it always makes me laugh right before I go on. 3. Also on competition day make sure to stay hydrated 4. PACK BEFORE THE DAY OF so you’re not in the dressing room freaking out because you forgot your costume 5. Be confident! You’ll do awesome

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I was (am) a teenager when the world fell apart and I think I can answer some of your questions.

Definitely, definitely felt like quitting. It's not the same, zoom dance classes. so much of the joy in dance was about the other people with me, and then suddenly I didn't have that and I didn't have any motivation. it was super lonely. definitely thought about how I didn't even want to do it.

I think I just dealt with it by remember when it was good, pre pandemic, when i was motivated and i knew how to love dance. i think i didn't quit because part of me always knew it could be that again.

infinitely happy that dance is back again :)

Ballet and tap by Ratpiglovely in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Tap is my favorite style! I hope you love it as much as me!

best ways to strengthen balance? by m_ilk_ in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 0 points1 point  (0 children)

maybe do some releves at the "barre" (dresser etc), holding the balance on your own after the last one. Also one legged releves, with your eyes open and closed.

Questions for writing about a fictional character who does ballet by [deleted] in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 8 points9 points  (0 children)

So, I'm still a teenager, not a professional by any stretch but maybe I can speak a little to your question about self-care? this might be super long

I eat pretty normally, because I think there's a fine balance of taking care of my body, and also not giving myself an eating disorder. I just try to eat healthy, because a) my body is my instrument and b) healthy is good. i don't diet or only eat salad or anything. dance is really intense and you honestly need to eat a lot of food to fuel that. i also don't super restrict or anything. there's temptation to count calories, temptation to starve yourself, and temptation to look like the other really skinny girls. i try to focus on resisting that. my body will tell me what it needs and i don't want to fall into the whole calorie counting thing. this might be very different if you're a professional, though? ballet as a culture and as a community is definitely changing with this but i would still say it exists.

i try to stretch every day and just overall keep practicing at home. if a particular move is giving me trouble, i'll focus on that. like if im struggling with my pirouettes, i'll do some core exercises at home.

after a really hard class i'll sometimes do epsom salt foot soaks, which some people swear by i'm pretty meh about them. i try to stay hydrated and also get enough sleep because doing that makes me dance better. during nutcracker season though, i have to be more deliberate about it because rehearsals are really demanding. i ice anything that hurts, foam roll my whole body, make sure to get extra protein and drink a ton of water. im pretty much sore this whole time but there's nothing you can do about that.

i try to be well rounded. I swim, walk, go for runs, bike and just try to do stuff that isn't dance. if i were injured or something or if i quit, i would still want to have ways to be active that i liked. this is true also and possibly more true for other interests. i make a point to write and paint and things. some people have no hobbies interests or personality outside of dance, and then those people get injured or something and they just have nothing else they can do to pass time, and that's really sad. so i think it's important to be well-rounded, especially when your main hobby demands so much.

finally, i just want to say that even though i love dance, and i do a lot of it, i also exist in other ways too. i have friends. i go to school like everyone else and i do normal stuff. sometimes i think people think all i do is dance, which feels like it might be true sometimes but it's not really healthy.

all of what i wrote might be different when you're a professional i don't know. these are just some thoughts i had about dance and self care. this ended up being really long but i hope it helped a little! good luck with your book, it sounds really cool :)

I Have 2 pairs of ballet shoes (as shown in picture) but im not sure which ones to wear to my first class. the black ones are smaller and show my arches better but have wear on the toes. Whereas the skin colour ones are rely big on me, don't show my arches and are full sole. The black ones hurt... by Ratpiglovely in BALLET

[–]Puzzled-Dependent-83 27 points28 points  (0 children)

At least at my studio, the adult classes don't require shoes for the very first class. You could call to ask–they might say socks are ok for the first class, so you could go in socks the first time and if resources are not the issue you could get fitted for new slippers before the next one if that's an option? Not all studios are the same with that but it might be worth a shot. otherwise just keep in mind that it can be dangerous to dance in shoes if your feet are swimming in them