The stage is waiting after Red Deer moms took their first lesson in Ballet with Dance Traxx Studio (and their babies).
By Chani Palindat
By Chani Palindat
This morning was one I had been looking forward to for a while. Donning the mom wardrobe staple of yoga pants took on a whole new meaning on this morning, because today was the first day for momstown Central Alberta's Babywearing Ballet class.
Many little girls dream of becoming a ballerina. And while I took dance throughout school, I never had the chance to take ballet. You could say today was the start of a dream come true. I would like to say that my toddler was excited as well, but she was pretty focused on ripping apart her book. So with hair in a bun and a well loved wrap in the diaper bag, we were off.
If you haven't met Ms.Meagan, the owner of Dance Traxx, the first thing you notice about her is how genuinely happy she is. And for many moms coming to enjoy a low-impact workout class with their babies, that is a great first impression. She loved seeing all of those squishy babies in the carriers, and marvelled over each one of them. Her enthusiasm was joined by the other mamas, and together we all migrated over to the studio. Inside the studio, Ms.Meagan set out the barre for the ballet class. My favourite one liner from this whole day is what came next from an excited ballet duo… "Oh! We're like real ballerinas!".
Then came the fun part of beginning the class while wearing your baby – or in my case, a 26lb and squirming toddler. The positions and movements are all in french, it's ballet after all, but they went slowly and smoothly. This wasn't so bad! And then we started to move side to side… And my feet turned into a big uncoordinated mess. It didn't help that the tot strapped to my back was leaning with me when I leaned, or dancing in the wrap to the music when I was trying to remember whether or not to move left or right. But eventually I got the hang of it, and my brain seemed to have regained control of my limbs.
I can definitely see the benefit of taking the class for eight weeks: gaining confidence, flexibility, low-impact toning of the muscles, coordination. But best of all, would be enjoying the class with your little one. The bonding experience from taking a mom and baby class is something so special. Seeing the babes so calm and snuggled up next to mom, swaying along to the music and movements, and soaking in the classical notes played through the studio… Priceless.
Next week we will be back at the grand and demi plie, rond de jambe, and enjoying moving together with our tiny bundles. We may not always know which foot to put in front of the other, but it's all about the experience.
