Contemporary tip: Need to get used to flexed feet
 

I’ve done my fair share of dancing as a kid, but Contemporary wasn’t one of them (it wasn’t being offered at the studio I danced at yet). It’s a style I was apprehensive to tackle, mainly because watching dancers fling themselves across the room without fear freaked me out a little. It looked like it hurt and I bruise easily.

It’s taken three, maybe four, years to work up the courage to take the class and you know what? It’s not as intimidating as I initially thought. Coming from a ballet background helped but the overall feeling and movement of this style is completely different.  

I rushed into class, stressed about not making it on time and didn’t have time to mentally prepare for the class. Luckily I didn't need to because the warm up got me to relax as we worked on moving the body with our breath and getting used to the idea of contracting.

As we practiced turns across the floor, I had trouble finding my balance. For example, I found it challenging to turn in a parallel position as my body contracted inward and my knees were bent (or grounded). I was used to ballet where the back was always upright and there was the feeling of constant pulling up.

If there’s one thing that stood out, it was that this dance style really does let you feel more and be free. Instead of being constricted. Your leg can be pointed, but you have to imagine that extension is going past your foot and when you rock or change weight from one side to the next, it’s because your body has nowhere else to go.

For example the choreographed piece we were given was to Adele’s "Someone Like You". It’s such a beautiful, slow piece that your body can’t help but move to the sound of her voice. As we rose from a crouched position, it’s not the body that’s carrying you but the movement of the arm that lifts everything. Then, at the very last minute, you change positions and body weight, pushing the air way from one side, then finding yourself on the floor rolling on your knees from one side to the next (mind you, feet are pointed).

It’s easy to go from one quick movement to the next, like going with the waves (or in this case, the music acts as the water that carries you). The challenge is to hold that emotion or movement like standing still or reaching out with one hand. You have to give the feeling of extedning that reach as long as you can, putting in as much effort in those slow movements as you would jumping in the air.

I left the class feeling more relaxed. What did I take away from the class? Aside from bringing kneepads because bruises the next day don't look so great, I'd say there's a lot of rolling around on the ground and you really have to tap into your emotions to really get into the style. Would I take it again? For sure -I plan on learning the rest of the combination for this song.

FYI: I also decided to take a hip hop class right after. How did I fair doing back to back classes? Not the greatest idea but after three hours of dance I felt like a dance superstar. In pain. Look out for an upcoming post on Adventures in Hip Hop Part 2!

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Adventures in Adult Beginner Ballet: Pointing That Darn Foot