One bruised tailbone, one life journey

Barre Tales is a compilation of short stories. These stories tell the tale of how our adult students found their way to the barre and what it means for them to keep exploring this wonderful movement practice.

How did I start ballet/dancing? When I bruised my tailbone (naturally).

More specifically, I was in my mid-30s when I started ballet as a 'last resort' before heading to physio. My doctor had an X-ray done and said my tailbone was fine, nothing was broken. I just needed to take it easy and rest. I was thinking "great, after 6-8 weeks things will be back to normal". Uh, wrong! After months of continuous dulling pain (with exercise), I found out that I would have to strengthen the muscles around my tailbone. Well, how the f- does one do that?! I was sitting in a theatre watching a ballet thinking about options, and it dawns on me that maybe, just maybe, ballet could do that.

I decided to take the plunge (after finding adult ballet classes were an actual thing and no experience required)! Is it challenging? Hell ya! You need the discipline to go, clear your mind for new things, let go of your ego for corrections and of course, any negative societal norms/views too!

The initial muscle soreness and internal struggle never end, let alone the joint "cracking" during plies. And yet, I am still here. Everything still hurts, and the internal struggles still exist, but it's all worth it.

Accepting yourself as you are definitely helps. Will I ever quit my day job to become a pro dancer, hells no!

Choose your own adventure, start that chapter.. the journey begins with you.