…the hip pain’s gone! Hallelujah! And I didn’t have to do anything at all. See, this is why I don’t like going to doctors. They’re useless.
Anyway, tomorrow is ballet class #2. I wish I could go to more than one class a week. You don’t really see improvements in your form or technique by going one hour every seven days. Plus your body loses all the good effects (flexibility, strength) gained from class two or three days after. Ideally I would like to go twice a week; three times would be even better. And if I want to go on pointe, it’s a requirement that I attend two technique classes a week in addition to the pointe class.
Which brings me to the subject of Flat Shoes.
I’m only 4’10″ tall and high heels have been extensions of my feet for as long as I can remember. I don’t care how uncomfortable they are—the higher the heel, the better. So far I don’t have any of the common negative side-effects (lower-back pain, swollen toes) experienced by long-time high-heel wearers.
Until now.
Again, it was ballet that brought it to the forefront. Last week during class, one of the first niggles of discomfort I felt was my feet getting tired and stiffening up. At first I thought it was the shoes and lack of arch support. But then I noticed it again during hip hop class when I wore dance sneakers. The stiffness went away the more I moved so it’s not a permanent condition, thank god. But still, I’m troubleshooting my feet this week. Since Monday, I’ve been wearing (gasp!) flat shoes.
If you know me, you know how weird this is for me. I own three pairs, one of them courtesy of my sister, and none of them appropriate for winter. Oh wait, I do have a pair of flat boots. Again, this is courtesy of sis. Ballet class is tomorrow and we’ll see how my feet do. I’ve been doing my tendus all this week to strengthen my foot arch and prevent further cramping. That, and the wearing of the flat shoes, should cure the stiffness. Let’s hope.
Okay, for today’s dance movie clip, I give you an iconic scene from the highest grossing dance movie of all time, Saturday Night Fever:
