Let's Go, Body!.. Come ON! I ain't even playin'!

This year, which is my last year at OSU, is dedicated to reworking my body. My body has a history and while a lot of it is good, there is a need for versatility that needs to be met head on. In my composition classes, I am focusing on how I can choreograph various themes and elements. In my contemporary class, I am working on becoming more grounded and kinesthetically internal. However, in ballet, my focus is being placed on a skeletal-muscular plane. I have recently found a place that is closer to correct alignment and muscle use, so I am trying to push the envelope and really create new muscle memory. This is extremely difficult because my body doesn't have its old crutches to fall back on. My balance is a little wobbly, my turns have been reduced to singles, and my confidence is draining. However, I know that this struggle needs to occur in order for me to move one step closer to a friendship with ballet. I love the term "graceful strain", but let's be real... Ballet is an unforgiving beast. It shows you where you are weak and keeps poking that spot with a hot fireplace poker. Ending on a good note though, ever since I have been working with this new musculoskeletal process, I find myself sweating and hurting (the good way) a lot more in class!