Chassé All the Way Even When it Makes You Giggle

If you've ever seen me in person you'd know I don't have a body for ballet.🩰

But that didn't stop my college bestie from getting me to join a ballet class with her in Freshman year.

I couldn't get through the first chassé without 🤭 giggling (at myself) and calling it quits.

(In my defense, Bras in the 80's just weren't as supportive as they are today.)

Thirty-plus years later, having worked in dance, founded and operated my own presenting organization, and coaching artists, some of whom are dancers and choreographers –  I've yet to attempt another plié.

That is, until last night.

Last night I walked into a "beginner" I and II Ballet Class for adults. 

My rationale was to benefit my hips (the flexors and soaz's and all the parts in that lower back/groinal-area: IKYK) which have been aching from the arduous task of sitting all day.

But also, and maybe more than that, I wanted to be with other women giggling. I want to have more fun. I want my body to feel better.

Those are the values that motivated me to step into another ballet class after all these years. 

The scenario was exactly as I had remembered it three decades ago.

Except there were just two other women in the class, and they were both around my age — only the instructor was twenty. 

As I attempted a chassé across the floor, I giggled again. 

(Even strapped into a better bra I was no more capable a ballerina than I was back then).

Around the hour marker the thought of walking out did cross my mind.

But you know what?

I didn't.

And as a result the experience was lighthearted and connecting. 

One of the women even switched places with me for each set so I could follow her from behind.

I don't have a future in beginning ballet (no duh)… but my body feels great today.

And that is really good information that I can use to make a different choice I wouldn't have made yesterday.

I'm looking for a barre class for true beginners. (No chassé required). 

What I'm interested in are the subtle and not so subtle edges that we meet in life that keep us from taking risks, from trying something new, and yes, from laughing at ourselves.

The specifics of what keeps us stuck at an edge change over the course of a life. 

But the process of unsticking ourselves never does.

If you are at a growth edge — 

🤭Whether it's creating more joy or pleasure in your life, 

🤭Finding authentic connections with people you haven't met but imagine are out there, 

🤭Taking risks to have adventures you've only dreamed about, or 

🤭Playing bigger in the field you are already working in

 — there is so much information right here, in your stuck place, to help you to find new a way forward.