Long gone, but still here!

It's been ages since my last post, but it doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about writing. There would have been Many subjects for posts, but I had just a bit too much to do right before Christmas - and lots to sleep during holidays! :D Schools = work continued couple of weeks ago, so did the dance classes. I've found new energy to do things and really wanted to write.

So, here we are :)

Today the boost for posting was the finals of Prix de Lausanne. I watched it online, though the streaming wasn't too good... During classical variations it was pausing every 10 seconds, really annoying. But the contemporary ones I saw just fine and dandy. Which was nice, as there were couple of dancers who'd chosen Jorma Elo's work (he's Finnish). And in 2 of them the music was by none other than Jean Sibelius, our greatest composer (if you ask me... :D). Too bad it was only a very short bit, but I can tell you it was from the finale (3rd movement) of his violin concerto. One of my favorites. I urge anyone to listen to the whole piece, here's one Excellent version by our Radio Symphony Orchestra and Leonidas Kavakos as the soloist (the finale starts at 27.40 or so).

*** If someone's interested, I recommend also the version played by Pekka Kuusisto. *** 

I've been going to my regular classes now, Friday evening + Saturday morning + Sunday early evening (jazz) + Monday evening. And about 2 weeks ago I took one additional (tourist) class at Footlight (Helsinki) again, such a joy... :) Madame Greve was her "usual" delightful self, if I can say that as I go there so seldom. 

The class started with a short warm-up for legs and ankles, facing the barre. And as we started, Madame M-P was there behind me, giving some fine-tuning corrections! I really did my best the whole 75 minutes, still got corrections - and enjoyed every bit of them. There was one slightly embarrassing moment for me, though -> tendus. Madame represents the French school and I do know that she wants her students to Cross The Legs, I mean Really Cross them. My other teachers are more of Russian school, so no crossing there. I wasn't that sharp when we started and - well, we did the first degage tendu to the front and then the music stopped. Madame kindly reminded us all that we do cross our legs. I knew it was my fault, as I didn't THINK when the routine started. So stupid!! :D She did give me a small look before putting the music on again. 

But from that on it was all okay. Stomach in, shoulders down. One correction for my hand to stay a bit lower in front (as most of the routines were done with one hand on barre, the other in the basic position (not first or second)). As we had one leg on the barre a la seconde, Madame came and wanted me to Point my ankle and toes, as we did  a cambre to the side. "Strech! Point more! Good, good! That's better, look how beautiful!" And I was smiling.... :) There were other compliments too, in different routines, as she had given a correction and I did my best to fulfill it (good! very good!). 

The only thing I didn't hear during the class was "Strech your knees!" But she did say that I should have a bit of space between my heels (in 1st position), because of my knees are like that. And That was something new to me. 

As the routines were new / unfamiliar to me, I had to pay attention all the time very carefully. And I did feel it in my brains afterwards :D Only one set I remembered doing also in December (the last time I took this class) and it was a pirouette exercise in the center. Tendu a la seconde, plie in 2nd position, up to retire (working leg) - tendu to the back, plie in 4th position, up to retire - tendu a la seconde etc. again, but this time retire with releve (supporting leg) - same thing to the back, with releve in the end. It was a good basic exercise, just the kind I need to get a grip on my turns. 

Some small jumps and then a loooovely reverence, all together with Madame. Her hands are just so lovely... And the feet and legs and the whole dancer. I like my regular teachers a Lot, but Madame has that spark from the big world, which gives the classes something extra. 

To close this jeremiad, I put together a tiny collage of what I've been wearing for class in January. I found this mint green, long-sleeved t-shirt from H&M, perfect for training. Tight, but not too much. Fabric feels nice to the skin. In February, maybe pink for Valentine's day? :D 

Made it in Polyvore -> http://www.polyvore.com/ballet_outfit_for_classes_in/set?id=71052536

Now it's time for some cold remedies, got sick on Wednesday evening and it's been getting worse day by day. Yesterday I managed to take a class, no chance today. Or tomorrow. Or Monday... :( But luckily there's a lot of ballet online, so my mind can work :)