Small balls, medium balls, big balls, and even bigger gym balls! I feel like I am seeing the world through the eyes of my dog. MORE BALLS!
Progressive ballet technique is a training system that focuses on strengthening muscles, nurturing flexibility, and developing coordination needed for ballet and other types of dancing. There is a lot to focus on during a ballet class – memorizing the combinations, remembering where your head needs to be, and then being told to "feel the music" on top of all that. Taking a PBT class allowed me to focus on my own body, almost like meditation. Feeling my breath, posture, and where I initiate and articulate each movement helped me gain a greater sense of my weight placement. I am certainly not even on my right and left side, I have a stronger and weaker side. None of us are.
The PBT class at Kwan's Studio worked through a range of exercises targeting our whole body, including our feet, upper and lower back, legs, stomach muscles, arms, and head placement. Some of the exercises required stamina, but they felt manageable – I attributed that to the classical ballet music that played during the exercises. It distracted me from thoughts of giving up (which is my default). The class helped me to feel intrinsic feelings in my body and how to experience those feelings in different movements. For example, how my feet need to leave and push off the ground then land in a pile. I got to feel certain muscles in isolation. Many exercises were done while sitting, leaning on the gym ball or on the floor. This reduced the cognitive and physical load of needing to stand up and balance at the barre, allowing me to focus on more subtle muscles in my body.
For this class, I brought my own yoga mat, gym ball, two medium balls, a small massage ball, a resistance band, and anti-slip socks. I purchased some of my items from Kmart and they worked just fine. If you want to try this class before investing in the PBT products, Kmart might be a good option to start with.
Class
Kwan Studio offers two Progressive Technique classes that you can enrol in by term.
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm and Saturdays 1-2 pm.
The Details
For more information, visit: https://kwanstudio.com.au/ballet and Progressive Ballet Technique