Jim Pickles Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 Update then on my own transition to a new life. Age 45, I was an uptight inhibited scientist, tight body, in denial of my body and of physical activity generally (also medical issues had held me back when younger). Emigrated from the UK to Australia, which was the beginning of a new life. I then discovered it was difficult sitting cross-legged, and decided to do something about it. Started yoga, tried many different styles, learned a lot, but all the time kept coming back to the same hatha yoga teacher. Not much happened to my tight body for a few years. But then I decided, as a scientist, I should experiment and find out ways to overcome my inflexibility. I discovered that by absolutely exhausting the muscles first, they would not pull back so much, so I could stretch them. I started to make progress. The teacher, seeing my keenness, introduced me to Kit's work. Also meanwhile, I decided to live my dreams, and started classical ballet (age 52). One thing led to another, and my dance school started performing dance pieces in concerts - and we found that dance comedy went over well. Not all of us were good dancers, and if you keep the audience laughing they tend to overlook deficiencies in technique. That led to an interest in clowning, and also performing using flexibility. Performed (solo or small group) in local cabarets, on stage at international Contortion Conventions (among the best contortionists in the world; I contributed by adding some light relief and comedy), have been invited onto Britains Got Talent and Austrlalia's Got Talent (didnt do well in either by the way, but that was OK by me). At 78, still stretching (legs better than ever, spine much worse). I've been teaching regular (bi-weekely at first, now weekly) ST classes using Kit's technique, but am not performing so much now (though havent given up). So what is the conclusion? That you can attempt to live your dreams, at any age. Do so! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit_L Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 The forum system's approach to "liking" is pathetic but, old friend, I LIKE this very much! More to come. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Chung Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 23 hours ago, Jim Pickles said: Update then on my own transition to a new life. Age 45, I was an uptight inhibited scientist, tight body, in denial of my body and of physical activity generally (also medical issues had held me back when younger). Emigrated from the UK to Australia, which was the beginning of a new life. I then discovered it was difficult sitting cross-legged, and decided to do something about it. Started yoga, tried many different styles, learned a lot, but all the time kept coming back to the same hatha yoga teacher. Not much happened to my tight body for a few years. But then I decided, as a scientist, I should experiment and find out ways to overcome my inflexibility. I discovered that by absolutely exhausting the muscles first, they would not pull back so much, so I could stretch them. I started to make progress. The teacher, seeing my keenness, introduced me to Kit's work. Also meanwhile, I decided to live my dreams, and started classical ballet (age 52). One thing led to another, and my dance school started performing dance pieces in concerts - and we found that dance comedy went over well. Not all of us were good dancers, and if you keep the audience laughing they tend to overlook deficiencies in technique. That led to an interest in clowning, and also performing using flexibility. Performed (solo or small group) in local cabarets, on stage at international Contortion Conventions (among the best contortionists in the world; I contributed by adding some light relief and comedy), have been invited onto Britains Got Talent and Austrlalia's Got Talent (didnt do well in either by the way, but that was OK by me). At 78, still stretching (legs better than ever, spine much worse). I've been teaching regular (bi-weekely at first, now weekly) ST classes using Kit's technique, but am not performing so much now (though havent given up). So what is the conclusion? That you can attempt to live your dreams, at any age. Do so! I love everything about this post. From denial to acceptance about one's own (stiff) body. What did really surprise me was that even after several years of yoga, your body was still tight (unless the type of Yoga didn't focus on flexibility because in that case, that makes sense). Now, as a 36 year old who got into street style dance within the last year, I admire your willingness to live your dreams, to pursue classical ballet — at age 52! I've taken a couple ballet classes and find the whole environment both inspiring and intimidating, surrounding by many people who've been practicing long before they could even speak. Not only that, you continued on and proceeded to perform too. Bravo! It's fascinating and motivating and admiring to see someone go from "hmm, I'm having challenges sitting crossed leg" to eventually teaching stretch therapy classes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Pickles Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 "both inspiring and intimidating, surrounding by many people who've been practicing long before they could even speak." To learn classical ballet, you have to be able to put up with humiliation. Because if the teacher is good, you will be getting lots of corrections (in front of the whole class, of course). You only know when you've got something right, when they start correcting you on something else. Of course one tries to hide in the crowd. That falls to pieces rather when in the big travelling moves they say "why dont we do it from the corner in twos?" (I know why not!). Then you have to do it in front of everyone else, with everyone looking on. The trick I learned, is to go early, and pair yourself with a good one. Then you hope the class will all be looking at the good one (to learn if possible), not at you. The tendency is to go as late as possible, then you will have two useless ones going together (and nobody to model yourself on if its a complicated sequence). Even worse, if they run out of pairs, you may have to do it on your OWN. No escaping everyones' eyes then. But you do get to hang out with lots of gorgeous young women with perfect bodies in figure-hugging clothing. And they're NICE to you as well! (out of pity, probably). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Chung Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 > Of course one tries to hide in the crowd. Normally don't share my dance related activities here but I feel its relevant to this thread, on the topic of the "great escape." In short, I started dancing last year (age 35) and just this past weekend, participated in a dance battle where you get up on stage in front of a crowd, a random song is played, and then you are asked to dance for 45 seconds: freestyle. No hiding. No where to run. I often make little recap videos for the dance community and here's a 60 second clip in which I included myself participating and actualizing dreams I've had since I was a young boy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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