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*~*BEFORE CLASS
~WHAT TO WEAR?
*most studios have a dress code. Basically, it's black or navy blue leotard, white or pink tights, and ballet shoes. No jewelry, at least not necklaces (they could fly up into your face) or large hoop earrings (same reason). Leg wamers ARE acceptable for barre work, but take them off as soon as your legs are warm. (Exceptions will be made for injuries, of course.) Shrugs and other warmies are fine too, as long as they're tight. Every teacher is different, so if it's your first class, hold off on brightly colored leotards and skirts until you see what other students are wearing and what the teacher wants.
~HOW TO DO MY HAIR?
*most teachers will want your hair to be up, out of your face, and neat. What does that mean? BUN.
~HOW DO I PHYSICALLY PREPARE MYSELF?
*eat a snack before class, but a SNACK, not a meal. Time it roughly 15 minutes before so you won't have food bouncing around in your stomach during class. If timing is impossible for you (it is for me,) then grab something healthy, like a carrot or a banana, before you run out the door.
DO NOT - let me say that again - DO NOT eat a meal before class! It is a biiig mistake, trust me!
Your teacher will probably let you know if she wants you to warm up before class. If she doesn't mention it, you probably shouldn't, as you'll be doing a full barre. However if it is close to performance time and you're going to be working on your dance all class, arrive at the studio several minutes early to stretch.
Remember : Never stretch when you're cold! Warm up your muscles by doing a few jumping jacks (I do fifteen), echappes, or other jumps before dropping into splits.
~HOW DO I MENTALLY PREPARE MYSELF?
*Be ready to work. If you want to get better, it's gonna take sweat and hard work.
Don't goof off. You can talk to your friends before or after class, but class time is dance time. It will always be better for you in the long run if the only one who's talking is the teacher.
If you've been having a bad day, don't let it show in dance class!! Leave all your problems at the door. If you have too, take a deep breath and clear your mind before entering the studio. If you're worrying about other things, your dancing will show it. Besides...a good, hard class always makes me feel better!
Always give 110%. Teachers love students who give their all, no matter what. That's right -- it doesn't matter if you're the best or worst in the class - if they see you trying, they will always help you and like you all the same.
Never compare yourself to other girls in your class. Everyone has different bodies, different levels of experience, different abilities, AND, believe it or not! - different problems. It's not fair to you or other girls for you to compare yourself to them and place yourself above or below them. Maybe you're wishing for her arches, but she's probably dying for your pirouettes!
Always ask questions! Confused? Having troubles? So ask! Your teacher will be glad you did, and you will, too.
*~*THE CLASS
~BEGINNING - at the barre
*Class begins at the barre, a long wooden rod runs down one (or more) walls of the classroom. The barre is there to help the student maintain maximum turnout, and to help you balance. THE BARRE IS NOT THERE to be leaned upon or used as a crutch. (Believe it or not!) You should only rest a few fingers on it, and use it for balance and balance alone.
What to do at the barre
Barre is the time to concentrate on technique. Whatever you do at the barre will translate into center, so pay attention! Bad turnout? Work those glutes! Bad balance? Take your hand off the barre occasionaly to check where you are. If you fall back or forwards, adjust!
What not to do at the barre
Do not rest your elbow on the barre. Bad for thine balance and posture, ballerinas! Be sure to move your arm at the barre...do not let your elbow get behind you. Don't stand too far away, or too close, to the barre. Your hand should be in front of you, your upper arm slightly away from your body, so your arm forms an "L".
~STRETCHING
*Stretching is as vital a part of class as any other. It can be regarded as a warm-up, but really it comes after the initial warming up. You don't stretch when you're cold! Can you say, pulled muscle?
What to do when stretching
Breathe, and breathe DEEP. Relax into those muscles so they'll remember the position! Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. To stretch, do all 3 splits, frog stretch, calf stretch, quad stretch, back stretch, and butt stretch.
What not to do when stretching
Don't overstretch! That's when you stretch like a maniac and eventually pull something. And don't push yourself farther than you can go -- it should hurt, but don't force yourself.
~CENTER
*Center is the main part of your class. That's where you learn new dance steps, relearn old steps, and work on new choreography. "Center" basically means that you're using the rest of the room, not the barre.
What to do in center. Use the mirror -- it's there for a purpose. Get used to your body. It's what the audience is going to see. Don't you want to have them see you as beautiful? Tilt your head. Double-check your posture, see if you look great or just plain stupid, if you're in sync with the rest of the class. However, don't keep your eyes GLUED on the mirror. Use your head, and look away sometimes. Don't want to look zombified, now do we?
Corps is, without a doubt, the hardest part of ballet. Soloists, true, have more talent, but staying in sync and lookin' great while blending into the background is by no means easy. Try not to be off the beat, and add your own little flair to your dances, but don't sweat it if you're not perfect. No one is.
~REVERENCE
*Class is over. So can we just leave? No, of course not!! Most teachers will have a reverence. It's when they thank you and you thank them, and be all formal and cursey, etc. (Cgeck my basic steps page, if it's up, for info on how to curtsey correctly.) Reverences can include mini-combinations, curtseys, and applause.
*~*AFTER CLASS.
TAKE A HOT BATH, EAT A FULL MEAL, and CHILL! :)
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