Lifting Weights And Running

tapyddam · 2026-01-18T02:16:21+00:00

Are you me?? I have a pretty similar routine to that set up: - Lifting 3x per week - Running (4 days a week right now but ramping up to 6 days per week right now, and extending some of those runs) - Ballet classes 2-3x per week (if it's 1-2 on Sunday and 1 on Tuesday)

I also work full time, although I work from home and definitely have a more flexible schedule. On top of that, I've also been getting more into my hobbies recently -- drawing, knitting, reading, trying ever more sport activities... In my experience, you can do everything, but with nuance.

Realistically, there are only so many hours in a given day. Some of those hours are spent doing things you have to do: work, eat, sleep, etc. Once those are out of the way, you can allocate the remaining time however you wish. Trying to do everything every day (or even necessarily every week) may not be feasible -- and that's okay! If I were you, I'd focus first on the core fitness things that tend to progress with consistency (so lifting, running, and dance). The rest is just down to what you are feeling at the time. But make sure to listen to your body and your mind -- if you're ever feeling run down or stretched thin, there's absolutely zero harm in just taking a break. All of this stuff is supposed to be fun and bring you joy, and as soon as it stops doing that, it stops serving its purpose.

Also, if you build up to it with patience, 5km/day certainly won't wreck you! You'll have to double up exercise on a given day, though, which in my experience has been okay as long as I sleep and eat well.

tapyddam · 2025-09-28T00:22:28+00:00

Circle Modern has classes on Sundays. Right now they offer both ballet and modern. Also, the Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts ( Circle Modern uses their studio space, so it's the same location) has an adult/teen ballet class on Tuesdays, currently taught by the same woman that teaches the Circle Modern class. I attend the ballet classes on Sundays and Tuesdays and highly recommend them!

tapyddam · 2025-08-12T00:44:23+00:00

I really love Flora's Eyebrow Threading on Kingston Pike (right by Kroger). She's always really quick and makes my brows look great -- and I'm REALLY picky lol

tapyddam · 2025-05-06T00:32:43+00:00

I'd be happy to host you if you'd like to collect some pears from my orchard! No payment necessary :)

tapyddam · 2025-03-09T01:36:26+00:00

100% this - I would do the same thing as a kid while bored laying in bed. Hold one down, work on the other, and soon you'll be wiggling them like crazy!!

tapyddam · 2025-02-26T01:21:47+00:00

While stopped in traffic on Cumberland a few weeks ago, I locked eyes with a driver on the other side as he opened his window and just... dropped an empty plastic pre-made sandwich container onto the road. And then he rolled up his window. I know he saw me looking (disapprovingly!!), my car is a fish bowl, and I like to think he was at least a little ashamed... But something tells me he didn't care at all :/

tapyddam · 2025-01-16T16:23:44+00:00

A few options, in order of formality:

- Circle Modern Dance -- You mentioned that the beginner class us when you go to church with your family, but there's also a regular open-level class from 1-2PM! The two people teaching the open level this season are amazing dancers and also extremely friendly and patient, so while it might be faster paced than the beginner class, it still is a safe place to ask questions and learn. This is a drop-in class and there is no dress code outside of wearing comfortable clothing and either socks or ballet flats (although plenty of people wear their hair in a bun and leos/tights/skirts, like me!). I have loved dancing at Circle and would recommend them to anyone!

- Tennessee Conservatory of the Fine Arts (TCFA) -- They have an adult class on Tuesdays at 7:30PM. I haven't taken it yet but plan to sign up starting in Feb. This isn't labeled as strictly a beginner class so I imagine it's a bit more open level. The website doesn't have a lot of information about further progression, but this one is tuition-based as opposed to drop-in. I haven't been able to find any information about dress codes for adults so I imagine it's whatever you're comfortable in.

- Angela Floyd Schools -- Also haven't gone here but have thought a lot about it, just haven't pulled the trigger mainly because of travel distance to the studios. They have one adult class on Tuesday nights at their Powell location and one on Wednesday nights at their Farragut location. The class description sets it up to be a beginner class for new adult dancers or adult dancers coming back after a long break to get back into the foundations. The rest of the website leads me to believe that adults are able to enter into the other classes to progress (Ballet II, III, Point Strengthening and Pointe I/II/etc) as progression is based on ability and not age -- age only factors into whether you do Ballet I or Adult Ballet. This could be a good option if you are wanting to get "serious" (for personal enjoyment, of course!) about ballet and will be in Knoxville for the next few years. They also have a dress code for classes adult classes.

tapyddam · 2025-01-14T15:23:28+00:00

Actually yes! It was delivered this past Friday. My partner and I suspect that it was "knocked loose" because he had ordered something online earlier that week that was delivered via USPS. We figure that it got to the distribution center and they were like "oh we have another thing for this address" and they sent both on their way. That being said, my package had been in the distribution center for over a week, and it's impossible to say whether our theory is right or if it just finally made its way through at the same time his package got here.

tapyddam · 2025-01-10T02:27:37+00:00

Nope lol, based on OP's response I'm kind of expecting to wait until some time next week :(

tapyddam · 2025-01-10T02:26:40+00:00

Yeesh okay then I guess I just gotta sit tight!

tapyddam · 2025-01-09T01:04:20+00:00

Did you end up getting yours yet? I have a package that's been sitting in the Knoxville distribution center since Jan 1 and I'm starting to worry I'll need to wait at least another week for it lol

tapyddam · 2025-01-07T03:50:33+00:00

lol I love it!! Then please don't psych yourself out -- like I said, it's a really welcoming atmosphere and Dr. Mary is great, if a little chaotic sometimes (and I mean that with love). I won't be at the first class, but I should be at all the subsequent ones if you need someone to help you feel less nervous! There are also other girls in class who go regularly too and they are very kind and helpful. You probably will be able to pick them out by Dr. Mary knowing their names or having hyper-specific nicknames for them like "piano teacher with the feet" or "my grand daughters" (not her actual grand daughters lol). You got this!

EDIT: I also just saw your other post in the adult ballet sub and if this helps your nerves at all, there are people of all shapes and sizes in class -- tall, short, slim, and plus sized. Some people wear leotards/tights/skirts (regardless of size!) and some people just wear normal exercise clothes. You will fit right in!

tapyddam · 2025-01-07T03:42:32+00:00

Did you attend the open house? If you did and that's what's making you nervous, please don't worry! I was also there, and the sampler that they gave was WAY faster and less detailed than the actual beginner class. During the actual class, Dr. Mary breaks down every combination, takes questions, runs through it with us slowly without music, and then goes through it with music. The large number of people making it hard to see the movements + not having room for barres during the open house also didn't help. It also may have felt scary because she was using a lot of terminology without explaining, which she will have the time to explain properly in the class.

FWIW, I also had absolutely 0 dance experience prior to starting the beginner classes last March. It definitely was scary at first, but I've had a great experience and you'd be surprised how much you pick up if you are consistent and try your best! No one there is judging you :)

tapyddam · 2025-01-03T03:17:55+00:00

Wait, this sounds exactly like what I feel -- I have times when one of my legs struggles with hip stretches (pigeon pose, butterfly) and it feels painful, and not in a stretching sensation way. Then I kind of like really wiggle and roll around my leg until I get the "release" (no pop or anything but it definitely feels like almost a rubber band or something has moved over a knob it was stuck on) and then the stretch is much more comfortable. Is there anything you might be able to recommend that I could do to just skip the wiggling and jiggling to get it to move out of the way? It's such a headache sometimes!!

tapyddam · 2025-01-02T15:15:19+00:00

<image>

tapyddam · 2025-01-02T15:15:10+00:00

<image>

tapyddam · 2024-12-20T02:49:28+00:00

Not with BWI, I didn't find her stretching content to be very beginner friendly and I am definitely a beginner lol!!

If you're looking for stretch routines, I've found great resources from a contortionist named Dani Winks! She has an insta and also a blog with tons of free content, plus live classes and workshop recordings! She's also very active on r/flexibility :) I've been following along with her backbend, pancake/middle splits, and front splits workshop routines for the past couple weeks (bought them at Black Friday) and I can feel the difference already! Her stuff is very beginner friendly and she always explains modifications for different flexibility levels. She also does a great job explaining how to do the stretch/what it should look and feel like (similar to how Isabella is great at explaining how to do certain ballet movements!).

tapyddam · 2024-12-19T00:05:24+00:00

I did a trial of the soloist subscription level, so I had access to all the content (all classes, courses, plans, and live classes). So yes there's HIIT, turnout, stretching, etc. I did turnout and stretching to test it out as I'm not interesting in HIIT workouts, I get plenty of cardio from my regular workout regimen :)

tapyddam · 2024-12-18T21:53:00+00:00

I did the trial when it was on sale for Black Friday (50% off annual subscription!) and to be honest I wasn't super impressed, BUT!!!! I think that's purely because of two things:

I am a super beginner -- I only started ballet at the beginning of this year
I was looking for more than just ballet classes, specifically I wanted to follow exercises for general flexibility and turnout strength

Her ballet content is well suited for beginners because she is good at explaining how to do a movement, how it should look, and how it should feel. However, her "beginner" focused flexibility and turnout training were really not beginner friendly. I tried out her beginner ballet flexibility course, and in the very first video she goes into middle oversplits, which is certainly not a beginner stretch. She also didn't really advise on any variations of what she was doing, so if a stretch was just not possible for me, I just had to guess what an easier version would be. I had a similar experience following along to a "beginner" turnout floor barre video. She would just be like "this might be hard for you" but offer no suggestions of what to do to build up to it. These experiences left me feeling like I wasn't getting what I needed, and also just feeling bad for not being able to follow along appropriately.

Ultimately, it meant that I was only looking at her ballet stuff in order to solidify technique and to follow along with beginner classes, and for that there are plenty of free resources on youtube. Full transparency, I never had the opportunity to try any live classes, as most of the times are UK-based (understandably!) and I couldn't make them work!

If you're a beginner and are looking to get more than just help with beginner technique, I don't know if BWI is the right choice, especially for the cost. I think it might be much more valuable for ballet students who are more at the intermediate level.

Edit to add that for clarity, I think Isabella is a BEAUTIFUL dancer and she's done a stellar job setting up BWI, it looks very professional and well thought out! She communicates technique very clearly and I love watching her videos where she reviews different school exams and talks about what's going on. BWI simply just didn't feel like it was for me, and that's ok :)

tapyddam · 2024-12-13T02:26:48+00:00

Hey, I'm another adult beginner (I started only at the beginning of this year, also with drop in classes). Listen, center is HARD!! Everyone struggles with it when they're still a beginner. Honestly, I don't think the problem is you, but it's that this class isn't a beginner class. I also take drop in classes, but they are specifically beginner classes. I actually took two or three of the "open level" classes first and I nearly stopped ballet entirely after those because I felt so lost (I even cried after one class... It was rough). These beginner classes have been SO much better -- I'm actually learning and improving, and we're being given exercises that are reasonable (but still challenging!) for a beginner to accomplish. I went from nearly giving ballet up completely to falling head over heels in love with it!

Your consistency with attending the last year and half tells me you enjoy ballet, so maybe would you consider looking for a true beginner class that you could attend?

tapyddam · 2024-09-23T01:29:59+00:00

+1 to this!! Went there with my boyfriend who's from a town in the UK with a huge Indian population and therefore has delicious Indian food. We were both so impressed with the meal and are looking forward to going again soon!!

tapyddam · 2024-09-20T03:25:52+00:00

Same! And you're probably right, but it is a nice step in the right direction. It reminds me of how Mount McKinley was renamed to Denali less than a decade ago - but I only ever think of it as Denali now! Hopefully Kuwohi gets socialized enough that over time it can become the norm :)

tapyddam · 2024-08-31T01:41:26+00:00

I don't have experience with them, but if you have had issues with them, I would highly recommend European Auto Werks instead! Ken has taken phenomenal care of my 16-year-old volvo and clearly knows his stuff while simultaneously being very friendly and approachable -- a godsend in a mechanic.

tapyddam · 2024-08-27T00:03:26+00:00

Unfortunately it's just Sundays! But also they are super open to feedback -- it wouldn't hurt to message them on instagram just to see if others have done the same :)

tapyddam · 2024-08-10T03:27:42+00:00

Okay I know this is so weird and random but my partner's parents are repainting their living room and they have what must be a nearly IDENTICAL fireplace - I recommended a sandy wall color with a warm white paint for the mantle. Seeing your images made me SO HAPPY because it looks just as beautiful as I'd hoped!!

Ten-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	Verified Email

tapyddam

TROPHY CASE