Getting a piece of that lost girlhood...

[Zenith]

So I finally got to the point in my transition that I'm reclaiming a bit of my lost girlhood and it feels really nice. I enrolled in a real Ballet class. First class is tonight. I'm sure I'll look like a wildebeest for a while, but with time comes toning and grace. This has been a long term goal of mine to get to the point in transition that I can do something very GG, and just be Julie. Not "T" anything. I am a bit nervous but also very excited. Wish me luck...I keep in mind that sucking at something is the first step to being sort of good at something... :D

[Sallee]

god luck it sounds like fun

https://www.facebook.com/sallee.moore

[Lorileah]

All the luck in the world but you won't need it you will do wonderful

[Rianna Humble]

Sounds like fun. I could only do the sort of ballet you see the elephants doing in a Disney film, but I hope you have a wonderful time!

[Zenith]

Sounds like fun. I could only do the sort of ballet you see the elephants doing in a Disney film, but I hope you have a wonderful time!

Oh I know I'll be like a Rhino in a China shop at first...but...

[Laurie Ann]

When you perform Swan Lake let me know I will be there. I know you will end up very graceful in the end. I would have to agree with Rianna I would be an elephant in a tutu.

[Aprilrain]

anything worth doing is worth doing badly!
have fun!

[Jorja]

Relax and have fun with it! They won't expect perfection the first night. That comes on the second night. :)

Good Luck, you will do just fine.

[Katesback]

Good job Julie. You and I have talked extensively and you do remember me telling you that you have absolutely NO reason to let yourself be defined at T. You very pretty and one of the few that have the ability to just get on with you life as a real woman. Bravo.

[Jonianne]

That is just awesome, Julie! I hope you love it! If you ever think about taking something else, there are adult ice and roller figure skating classes too!

[Kaz]

Julie... live the life! You have waited a long time and deserve everything you do! :hugs::daydreaming:

[Gaby2]

Golly Julie, I never thought of that!
Even though I've carted my daughters to ballet and dance-classes for years... I've never really thought of dancing (like a girl) myself... and I've never really liked dancing because the male-role is so... well, male!
I've had plenty of female acquaintances who've asked me down through the years, whether I would like to go to dance classes with them... it never lasted long, if at all...
I'm thrilled for you that you'll be enjoying ballet-class this evening.
Enjoy every minute of it!
Gaby

[Zenith]

Thanks everyone. :D I could write a narration but I'll just hit the highlights. The class is 10 college age GGs and me. The director of the company (nationally recognized) teaches the Ballet I class. She did not hesitate to correct me... :straightface: But we all had a blast. But very exhausting. The teacher said there is no rest in Ballet, even at the barre you have to keep muscles flexed. We were skipping and prancing in groups of 2 cross stage at the end. Girliest thing I have EVER done. All but 2 were in traditional black leotard and pink tights for the first class. Probably be all next class. My favorite quote was "...but it's FUN to wear tights and a leotard..." From a GG no less...:rofl:

Did I mention how AWESOMELY FUN it is to be a girl? :yahoo:

[Rianna Humble]

Did I mention how AWESOMELY FUN it is to be a girl? :yahoo:

Did you?




:heehee:

[Jonianne]

.....She did not hesitate to correct me... :straightface: But we all had a blast......Did I mention how AWESOMELY FUN it is to be a girl? :yahoo:

Oh Julie, my heart leaped when I read the excitement in your post!:)

Correction is for those who the coach knows she can move to a higher level, so always relish the corrections and only worry when they no longer correct you.:sad:

Way to go! I am so jealous!

[robyn1114]

That's so awesome, I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

[Traci Elizabeth]

I snapped this picture of you gals last night at the end of your session and you look great Julie just like any of the other girls in your group:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/grandpotter/tappinladies.jpg

[Zenith]

I snapped this picture of you gals last night at the end of your session and you look great Julie just like any of the other girls in your group:...

Nice try but the group was cuter young GGs in much skimpier stuff. :) If I can do it inconspicuously, I'll try to take a pic of me and the studio...

Yes, I am sore today...:straightface:

But wow this is an even better payoff for transition than dating hetro guys...well at least until I find "THE ONE"...lol

[Stephenie S]

Did I mention how AWESOMELY FUN it is to be a girl? :yahoo:

Is everyone paying attention?

This is perhaps the most important concept reported on this forum ever!!!!

Stephie

[Zenith]

Is everyone paying attention?

This is perhaps the most important concept reported on this forum ever!!!!

Stephie

Apparently GGs think so too. The teacher was teasing (after working us the whole hour and a half) when she asked at the end if any one will be coming back next week. The entire class at once was very vocal and enthusiastic! :D

[Stephenie S]

Well duh! It's just that they have known it all their life.

[KaTanya]

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single pirouette :D

If you're not already doing so, be sure to flex and practice your moves whenevr possible.

And if you don't have a copy of "Swan Lake", do so. It is epic.

[Zenith]

A good chunk of the class was warmups and flexing. As soon as I stop hurting I'll start some more flexing at home. I was really surprised about all the movement early on, it did keep things fun. Had to keep moving to keep everyone's timing. I have no idea if I can keep up with these girls!

Swan Lake is epic, but the Ballet of the Squirrels is EPIC! :clap:

7LWvkTuScTs

[Laurie A]

Awesome! But I can't get the image of a wildebeest in dance class out of my head! lol

So now that you have completed the first class, how difficult was the physical coordination aspect? Have you ever taken a dance class before? Is it as hard to do those moves gracefully as it seems?

[Zenith]

...So now that you have completed the first class, how difficult was the physical coordination aspect? Have you ever taken a dance class before? Is it as hard to do those moves gracefully as it seems?

Only had one class so far, but I will give you my thoughts. The basic moves, demi plie' etc..., look simple but you have to really pay attention to positions and what your body is doing. Instructor kept saying, "Julie, no, don't look down, straight ahead please!" :o Coordination and grace are more difficult than you might think because of the control and strength required. Some of the bends/ stretching I just have to fake until the flexibility is there.

I have taken a wee bit of Ballroom but a very long time ago. All the GGs but 2 had Ballet before and came dressed for it. Of the 2 that didn't one was highly trained in Yoga, she was next to me, and her flexibility was a real asset.

Like I mentioned, the skipping and side steps across the studio were a lot of fun. But since were had do them in coordination with others, I had to keep up with these young gals and that got me tired real quick. Now I know why there was a mad rush to fill water bottles when the previous advanced class let out...

[Sarah V]

Julie: Good luck with the class. I am so happy for you! You will love it and do great I am sure. Recreational ballet is something you can do well into your years. Great way to keep limber and moving.

P.S.: Your attachemnt of the "Ballet of the Squirls" was a hoot!!! Where did you ever find it? I know it was on You Tube, but how did you know it was there? You must have loved it when you found it!

[Kelsy]

Sounds like fun Zeinth.

Inclusion doing anything with just the girls as a girl is awesome. I went to a girls night at my friends
last night and we drank and talked and laughed. I stayed the night and shared a bed with one of the girls and had a blast. My friends accept me knowing full well who I am but to join a ballet group as a woman and to be included and accepted Zeinith must be exceptionally sweet!!

K

[Zenith]

Sarah, I like your avvie...getting en' pointe is a new long term goal of mine. Maybe 2-3 years if I work really hard.

Kelsy, it's nice isn't it? Socializing with other women is a big part of what it's all about and essential for transition MtF.

[Mountain Girl]

When the ballet came to town with some big stars, I attended a couple of performances and was so impressed that I started practicing some of the steps and poses in my mother's bedroom where was a full length mirror. This was high school, I think. It was still years before I would discover my true self, and I think my take on ballet was basically unisex. But back then, anything to do with ballet was regarded as female, feminine, sissy, etc. My mother was visibly disturbed, and many years later when I came out to her she refused to acknowledge, much less accept, my female self. But I was already on my own by that time and no longer depended upon her approval. As for ballet, I content myself with the occasional TV or live performance and especially have enjoyed my nieces' dance recitals. Mountain Girl.

[Zenith]

When the ballet came to town with some big stars, I attended a couple of performances and was so impressed that I started practicing some of the steps and poses in my mother's bedroom where was a full length mirror. This was high school, I think. It was still years before I would discover my true self, and I think my take on ballet was basically unisex. But back then, anything to do with ballet was regarded as female, feminine, sissy, etc. My mother was visibly disturbed, and many years later when I came out to her she refused to acknowledge, much less accept, my female self. But I was already on my own by that time and no longer depended upon her approval. As for ballet, I content myself with the occasional TV or live performance and especially have enjoyed my nieces' dance recitals. Mountain Girl.

Mountain Girl, please continue your interest. Ballet is absolutely something that anyone of any gender persuasion can enjoy. It's sad that ignorance gets in the way, but that is changing.

It's especially significant to me though because I yearned to dance the female parts. I would not call what I am doing dancing by any stretch of the imagination but I am out there and on my way after a long battle with myself. What an awesome payoff. :D

A great Coda to a long path of transition, both physically and mentally. Thanks to everyone for their kind words. :hugs:

[Zenith]

OK I'm breaking my moratorium on posting for this. We were asked to perform a number in the May Dance Gala choreographed by our teacher at the Arts Center. Rehearsals, name in the program, etc... So I will be doing ballet on stage!

AND this week I started open division classes with a professional ballet company of a major city with a serious pedigree. In a beautiful brand new center built just for that city's ballet. I got my ass handed to me for an hour and a half on Monday, but loved it.

I guess dreams do come true...I look back to those old pics I posted dreaming about doing ballet and now it's real...

[Jonianne]

.....I guess dreams do come true....

Congratulations Julie! I am so happy for you!

[Sally24]

Congratulations Julie! It must be quite exciting to be doing something you've waited so long for. I've always loved all kind of dance and think it is one of the best ways for your body to learn to flow and move gracefully. And don't think GGs don't feel just like you do when they first start. Enjoy every minute!

[Miranda09]

It's great to hear of all the fun you are having now Julie. You can tell in your posts how happy you are. Can't wait to see some photos of you dancing on stage. :)

[Zenith]

...I've always loved all kind of dance and think it is one of the best ways for your body to learn to flow and move gracefully...

Absolutely, grace, poise, posture, toned muscles, etc...all noticeable side benefits from barre work.


It's great to hear of all the fun you are having now Julie. You can tell in your posts how happy you are. Can't wait to see some photos of you dancing on stage. :)

Me...doing ballet...on stage...with an audience... :eek:

It's being recorded, and I shall guard the YouTube URL with my life!!!

I can't even describe how awesome it is to be doing something so very feminine as one of the girls. The American ballet master, Balanchine said; "Ballet is Woman. In sports, it's Mickey Mantle. In politics, it's Eisenhower. In ballet, it's woman. Women are lighter, more flexible. They move more beautifully. He is not the King, but she's the Queen".

[Lorileah]

Yay Julie! The time and discipline involved is huge, but you will do wonderfully I know. Great exercise and great way to sculpt your body. I quit dance lessons as a child because I didn't want to wear the tights...Go figure :) I would have loved to have stuck with it. Grace, beauty, fluidity. I am sure you have all those

[Traci Elizabeth]

I give you a lot of credit Julie as you are probability the oldest one on the floor!

[Zenith]

I give you a lot of credit Julie as you are probability the oldest one on the floor!

Thank you. :straightface:

[Zenith]

Julie, I congratulate you on your new endeavor to become a diva ballerina. I also love this update as it applies to your transition to not just a feminine activity, but also how the grace of a ballerina can also benefit your transition in normal everyday body movements and gestures.

That being said, I went to see Les Ballets Trocadero de Monte Carlo last night at a beautiful relatively new Performing Arts Center at the University of California Davis near Sacramento, California. There are two current threads on this group here. They are male ballet dancers playing the female roles in the female outfits who danced beautifully with those ongoing moments of intended humor. As I was sitting there last night I specifically thought of you and your dancing. These men who wore female ballet attire and had wigs and makeup as a woman, and even had a few hairy chests exposed as part of their looks, had all the female movements and grace. No, they were not totally as graceful as real women, but at times I could not tell. Their ballet dancing capabilities on pointe, which was a lot of the time, was unbelievable. Two young girls who were sitting next to me and who had danced ballet said their footwork was fantastic. If you ever get a chance to see them, please do. When combined with your current dancing classes and experiences, I think that you will really enjoy their talents and performance, and get in a lot of good laughs in too.

It's comedy satire ballet. Their Port de bras especially, is exaggerated, among other techniques. While the Trocs are entertaining, I do not aspire to be what they are, nor do I appreciate the comparison. I worked too hard, lost, and suffered too much.

If the best I could do is a caricature of a ballerina, I would quit in sadness...

[AllieSF]

Julie,

I in now way wanted to compare you with them. If it sounds that way, I do apologize. I just saw them last night dancing beautifully, with their moments of humor and enjoyed it. To me art and grace comes in all shapes and forms, which sometimes include moments on the lite side. Last week I saw the Smuin Ballet dance the tango, Mater Sabat and to songs by Patsy Cline, a range for seriousness to fun. Please accept my apologies.

[Zenith]

The Trocs are great artists, but they are men. I am not. I would think of all places, people here would understand that.

I learned my lesson to quit posting...

[Sarah V]

Sent you a PM on this.

[Traci Elizabeth]

Thank you. :straightface:


No Sweetie, it was a light hearten comment. I was envisioning you dancing with a bunch of preteens and other gals under 21!