Hurts So Good

You know those things you do to yourself that are painful, but make you feel better afterwards? Maybe not so much painful, but uncomfortable? Like getting pressure point massage therapy, where it feels like the masseuse's hands are knifes, but once you get off the table it's like you've been transported into a new body. Or like cracking our necks, backs, hips, toes, everything, anything, just to get a little bit of pain relief. The good pain, that's the stuff I'm talking about. Welcome to Ballet II with Jessica Zeller. I don't think I've ever worked harder in my life. That frappe combination...are you kidding me Jessica? You're killing me. I love it. I work so hard in this class that my entire body is literally aching in every combination, my muscles are actually screaming, and I'm dripping sweat like an overweight man in a sauna. But it all feels so good. After class each day I feel rejuvenated, more awake, and happier.

When I think back to my old studio and my former teachers, I wonder if I had been lazy compared to today. Would I be better now if I had worked this hard then? Of course I would be. Maybe I needed other teachers using different analogies, and awesome Michael freaking Wall on piano and whatever the hell else he's playing to get myself in gear. (Shout out to all you amazing musicians- it's a blessing to have you all in class.) I know how hard I'm capable of working now, because Jessica pushed me there. That's something that will stick with me for the rest of my dancing career.

I love that in class Jessica tells us to go farther than we think we can, to keep reaching for that something extra. I've found this to be especially helpful, and it's something that I think about a lot now even in other technique classes. Whenever she says it, it reminds me of a quote that I like to refer to on the days where I feel defeated, or feel like I can't try any harder:

"Much good work is lost for the lack of a little more." -Edward H. Harriman

Thanks for kicking me in the ass Jessica, I needed it.