Thursday, March 23, 2017

Ballet for Beauty, Grace and Alignment.

I have always loved ballet. I took lessons from the age of 4-14. At 15 I was told that I should find another performance art, because whilst I had magnetic stage presence I was becoming too tall and I was developing a very obvious hour glass figure unsuitable for the standards at the time. I was heart broken.
However, I continued to be an avid balletomane and I enjoyed season's tickets to the ballet for several decades. I have been fortunate to see so many fabulous dancers many times. As a youngster I saw Margot Fonteyn - to me the Queen of Beauty and Grace even to this day. I still  love watching film clips of her dancing.
I also continued to collect many books about ballet and, of course, I had (still have😉 ) many ballet themed paper dolls as well as about a dozen multi-jointed ballerina dolls (some with their original costumes and shoes!).
It was with great joy that I discovered Tiekka Tellier and her Everyday Ballet study programs and blog. After all these years (decades), I am having fun dancing again. True, I sometimes do what for me are some  high impact practices on my mini-trampoline! Recently Tiekka's blog was about Happy Healthy Knees. I thought I would share this because I have a sister, a cousin and some friends who are experiencing knee pain. I have occasional pain myself if I am not aware of my alignment. I found this blog very helpful. Also I am practicing my pliés and relevé's regularly.
I hope you will check out Tiekka's blog and perhaps-(if you love ballet) take a lesson or two or become an Everyday Ballet member. Here is the link to the blog
http://www.everydayballet.co/barre-essentials-healthy-happy-knees/
and here is a link to her Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZpxhej9uvM

I am not in any way affiliated with Tiekka Tellier or Everyday Ballet. I am spreading the good news because  ever since I saw her first videos I have been enjoying ballet again and developing my "Poise-Posture-Power"as well as experiencing more Beauty, Grace and Alignment. Everyday Ballet is a major component now  for me to Appreciate Beauty Everyday

13 comments:

Barbara said...

Dear Colleen, I will be calling in at Tiekka’s blog after I leave this comment, but I wanted to say how envious I am of your paper doll collection. I only have a couple of old paper doll books but would love to add more to my collection. There are lots of vintage ones online but many of them are reproduction, which just won’t do. I’m not blogging this week because Terry has been in hospital, home now and doing well, but hope to be back later next week. Barbara

colleen said...

I am glad Terry is doing well now,Barbara. Original paper dolls are so special.It has taken me years to gather originals of my faves- and I do have some reproductions as well. Paper dolls ,unlike books, were usually thrown away when they became worn out,tattered and torn. I still like to PLAY with them- as well as my dolls. I do make copies to play with - some of my originals were very pricey. I look forward to an update on your blog.Thank you so much for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

How sad that you were told to give up ballet. :( I've watched several ballets (on TV) recently and it seems those old standards are changing a little (as they should). I took ballet and tap from 10 to 12 years old and then ballet once again for a brief while in my twenties (so much fun as an adult!). I've just looked at Tiekka's site (wonderful!) and I'm going to pass it along to several women I know with knee problems. One had recently started up tap dancing and was very excited about it until an old knee injury kicked in. Maybe this will help her. Thanks for sharing, Colleen, and happy dancing!

colleen said...

More in common, Marcia! So glad Barbara introduced us! I learned in Tap dance that the knees must be kept loose and slightly bent at all times. the beauty of low impact! no Jumping! tap is that it really does rejuvenate the joints when done properly. I am loving Tiekka's Everyday ballet program. It is beautiful. I am in much better condition since i started practicing. She gives excellent pointers on alignment.

Unknown said...

This is wonderful, Colleen! I go through phases with ballet myself. There are lots of barre ballet videos on YouTube that I've explored. It's a great workout, and it definitely instills a sense of gracefulness that other kinds of exercise might not. I am glad you're following your passions!

Vatsala Shukla said...

I never learned ballet, Colleen, though I did do Kathak in school for many years until a back problem from playing netball put a stop to it because Kathak involves a lot of footwork and that wasn't good for my back. Yet I love dance and did study various forms for many years as a hobby.

I find learning Kathak, ballet or any other dance form gives us a sense of grace which gets transferred to how we carry ourselves and especially our posture.

I do love ballet and have been fortunate to have seen the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet Group perform Swan Lake and many other performances including Spartacus which made me cry - it was so vivid!

colleen said...

Oh,Vironika, it is lovely to meet another who loves barre work and ballet. It really does instill grace and poise.

colleen said...

Vatsala! How fortunate you are to have seen so many performances.Lovely to met another balletomane! Yes, indeed ballet really does improve poise, posture and grace!

Reba Linker said...

Thank you, Colleen, This could be just what I need. I am an avid balletomane as well, also studied extensively, and also have too much of an hourglass figure to be the ideal ballet form. Still adore it, though. Thanks so much for sharing this.

colleen said...

Reba- I can highly recommend Tiekka Tellier's work. She gives very precise instructions about balance and joint care. All those years I never understood about how to place the weight on my feet for pliés and relevés- also her arm work and the ballet cardio! I do the ballet cardio on a mini trampoline-so much fun! Plus great music!

Tanya Ince said...

Coleen, thanks for sharing! I might give home ballet classes a try. I grew up with many ballerina figures around me too, and took basic ballet classes in elementary school. That can be a nice variation for my yoga practice.

colleen said...

Thank you for stopping by, Tanya! You would love Tiekka Tellier's Everyday Ballet- precise instructions, beautiful music ,lovely toning exercises to improve posture, poise, beauty and grace! Plus she will answer questions in the Everyday Ballet Facebook Group

Barbara said...

Dear Colleen, I've missed seeing you on your blog, I hope all is well. Happy Easter, Barbara