Giving it 100%

Last week, our ballet class went by so fast even though it was an hour and forty-five minutes long. On Monday, Lauryn and I hosted an instructor in the studio who’s passion and expertise will continue our education in movement while simultaneously managing and balancing our egos. Irina shared warm ups, refinements, themes and cues first shared to us by our favourite and former teachers. While she did not directly encourage us to reach our eye to the ‘Skye’, cues for efficient movement and executing exercises with emotion were everywhere.

As we finished the class, Irina asked us to list the key points of the exercises we had learned. I volunteered a cue, “hands in front with the palms facing in. Always” Lauryn continued adding, “shoulders stay down like a waterfall. When the leg is moving to the front , heel first — to the back it’s the toes leading the way.” Irina pleasantly agreed. Then Lauryn said, “that’s enough questions Irina, get out while you still can. Ian will never let you leave.” As she packed up her things, Irina further encouraged us to write down our thoughts, and then left us with the days most poignant quotation.

“You don’t use 100% of your muscles 100% of the time”

In our practice we believe that there is no bad posture or position. The knees deserve to be encouraged to be placed over the toes, and the implementation of a fold in the right place is better than a strict hip hinge in another. As Irina knows, it is the when, and the where to implement specific skills to benefit your strength and to coordinate function safely, and succinctly . 

Did you know that the brain isn’t a muscle? While we may not use all the muscles in every movement, engage your brain one hundred percent of the time. Exercise with intention and purpose — that’s the pointe.

Take care,

Lauryn and Ian