Table for One: Stage Fright

There I am. I have visions of standing at the barre, admiring myself in a fierce leotard. My legs are lean in their tights. My arms are sculpted.

Then I look in the mirror and realize my 5 foot 3 frame does not lend itself to long legs. Nor will I be flaunting around in anything form fitting.

It’s been nearly 30 years since I put on a pair of ballet slippers. I don’t remember much, except the owner, “Miss Renee”, was a sweet woman. Had she not passed away, I probably would have continued classes until I was at least a pre-teen.

But I did not. Yet this week, I’m going to sissonne en avant to where my daughter attends dance and join a beginners adult ballet class. Seriously, who are we kidding? I am not doing a sissonne. Yet.

I am scared out of my mind to start. For one thing, I’m pretty sure I won’t look like a “dancer” flopping around, 25 pounds overweight, in my leggings. And I'm hardly the picture of grace and elegance.

And yes, you read that correctly. My daughter goes to Lakeshore DreamDance Company. That means she's placed in a class with a higher skill level. 

I could have chosen a different school. But there are so many reasons why I chose to take ballet there. I’m fond of Lakeshore DreamDance’s instructors and its new studio is gorgeous. I want to begin 2013 with something new. I need another creative outlet – blogging isn’t much fun when you have perpetual writer’s block. I’m looking for a way to help improve my balance, posture, and stamina as I am training for another half marathon.  Ballet seems like a natural choice.

How natural? I’m unsure. I think I may be more hip hop than ballet. But I’ll let you know after the first class. And remember, if you see a Mom walking into the school without a child, it’s likely me. Be sure to tell me to “break a leg!”