Get it....because it was ballet....I didn't actually do any pointe-ing...when do I ever... :p
The usual updates - £2 made from clicking around this site. Following the links allows us to claim back money from Google Ad-Sense so don't be shy about investigating these advertisers :) It's totally free for you to do too - unless you see an amazing deal!
More eBay auctions up - Today it's Eddie the Gecko! He's £9.95 via our eBay store, he's hand made completely from scratch (I didn't use a template) and he turned from a blob of clay into something I'm really proud of!
He's on eBay at this link.
More eBay auctions up - Today it's Eddie the Gecko! He's £9.95 via our eBay store, he's hand made completely from scratch (I didn't use a template) and he turned from a blob of clay into something I'm really proud of!
He's on eBay at this link.
Eddie the Gecko (tealight holder). £10 via eBay (or you can PM me :) ).
We also have a range of cute little owl bookmarks coming along, Brenda the bookmark will soon be joined by Alan, Jeff and Judy!! I'll upload finished pictures, at the moment they're still white and rough!
Tom's talking reptiles have also agreed to sponsor us here, you can find more information about them on this page. Kiddies parties (I'm sure a fair few adults would like their parties too) that actually dispel misconceptions and allow kids to get up close to reptiles!! Awesome :D Check out the link :)
Tom's talking reptiles have also agreed to sponsor us here, you can find more information about them on this page. Kiddies parties (I'm sure a fair few adults would like their parties too) that actually dispel misconceptions and allow kids to get up close to reptiles!! Awesome :D Check out the link :)
So what was today's adventure I can hear you saying?
Well everybody, today I tried ballet! I never took ballet lessons as a child - they appeared to be reserved for the skinny, rich, popular girls that I didn't seem to fit in to at primary school. Mostly because I was an awkward lump. Ah, not much changes does it ;) Well, at least I'm not socially awkward anymore (shush you people that know me. Don't dispel my illusions....I'm happy with the silences....).
Well everybody, today I tried ballet! I never took ballet lessons as a child - they appeared to be reserved for the skinny, rich, popular girls that I didn't seem to fit in to at primary school. Mostly because I was an awkward lump. Ah, not much changes does it ;) Well, at least I'm not socially awkward anymore (shush you people that know me. Don't dispel my illusions....I'm happy with the silences....).
Now, I have to confess. Before I set out for the ballet class tonight I was TERRIFIED!! I even thought about pulling out and pretending I'd hurt myself....(i have to say actually, that butt muscle from the handstands.....still hurts....) but after a few "I'm really scared" and "maybe I shouldn't go" I got told to "be quiet and get on with it". Well. That told me (thanks dahhhhling).
What if they laugh at me? What if they're mean to me? What if I'm wearing the wrong things? Goodness, I felt like I'd stepped off of the time train back into primary school! So I pulled on my big girl knickers and I got on with it. At least I got the chance to ride Beena into Horsham (and I might add: a note to that white Punto. Give up. There's no point in embarrassing yourself like that. Yes it was a pink bike. Yes I'm a girl. Yes, I can still kick your arse and have time to paint my girly nails).
So I got to Southwater Village Hall at around 6:45pm where I was greeted by the assembled company. Immediately I had 5 people smile at me and make me feel welcome. As I stripped out of my motorcycle gear (it always gets the BEST looks - but I WAS clothed underneath, you know my stance on flashing) everyone was asking how I was doing and just making me feel comfortable.
Great start!
Within 5 minutes of the class starting I was sweating like a pig (as Abi one of our pole instructors knows all too well - I'm not shy about sharing sweat TMI....). I mean, really. Or like a cats paws. The warm up was GOOD and had my heart rate was raised quickly and kept up!
Then to the barre to stretch. Aha, here my martial arts and yoga comes into play. I'm bendy :D (I might add, stretching is really important and it helps in so many areas - Pole is another great example of where being bendy helps a lot!! Yes Tom K, I CAN get my knee around the pole when we invert :P (writing these blogs makes me realise I know a lot of Toms)).
After the bendiness we moved onto an hour of what I can only describe as FUN! We actually learnt little dance bits and carried them out to music - no standing around watching other people dance, it was straight in (another benefit of the martial arts - thinking katas in Karate!). I REALLY enjoyed the lesson and as you can see, it really paid off.
Jackie and Holly very kindly (and slightly bemusedly) agreed to star in the video with me and show me what to do.
Without this being a shameless plug I TOTALLY recommend this dance school. Jackie is patient and warm, and the people there made me feel completely at ease - even though I was obviously a complete noob. Holly was even sweet enough to say I looked graceful (Ha, Abi and Karen IT CAN BE DONE!!).
If you fancy trying some dance (they DO do different types) check out this link. Great!! (don't worry Charlie, I still love you and your poles!!).
The one difference to pole? No drop and roll! Whoo, my shoulders were saved tonight ;) I would say to anyone who poles without ballet - the two REALLY feel like they complement each other. Lots of core and posture work from ballet and then the core and strength and upside-down-ness from pole. I love my hobbies xD (yeah, I'm so going to ballet again so it can now be counted as a hobby ;) ).
I made the mistake of thinking that ballet would be much less cardio based and I even worried I wouldn't get my workout in.....what a wrong assumption! Much like pole, you're working - constantly (just with less body weight on your arms in ballet - it's all made up for in the calves though ;)). If you're looking for weight loss, fun and fitness, dance!!
Today's lesson?
Don't underestimate ballet....I don't know how those girls and guys aren't sweating more. I'm coming to the conclusion that maybe I'm just a sweater.... >.<
Moral of the story?
Don't drive a Punto.
Keep clicking friends!
Over and out.
What if they laugh at me? What if they're mean to me? What if I'm wearing the wrong things? Goodness, I felt like I'd stepped off of the time train back into primary school! So I pulled on my big girl knickers and I got on with it. At least I got the chance to ride Beena into Horsham (and I might add: a note to that white Punto. Give up. There's no point in embarrassing yourself like that. Yes it was a pink bike. Yes I'm a girl. Yes, I can still kick your arse and have time to paint my girly nails).
So I got to Southwater Village Hall at around 6:45pm where I was greeted by the assembled company. Immediately I had 5 people smile at me and make me feel welcome. As I stripped out of my motorcycle gear (it always gets the BEST looks - but I WAS clothed underneath, you know my stance on flashing) everyone was asking how I was doing and just making me feel comfortable.
Great start!
Within 5 minutes of the class starting I was sweating like a pig (as Abi one of our pole instructors knows all too well - I'm not shy about sharing sweat TMI....). I mean, really. Or like a cats paws. The warm up was GOOD and had my heart rate was raised quickly and kept up!
Then to the barre to stretch. Aha, here my martial arts and yoga comes into play. I'm bendy :D (I might add, stretching is really important and it helps in so many areas - Pole is another great example of where being bendy helps a lot!! Yes Tom K, I CAN get my knee around the pole when we invert :P (writing these blogs makes me realise I know a lot of Toms)).
After the bendiness we moved onto an hour of what I can only describe as FUN! We actually learnt little dance bits and carried them out to music - no standing around watching other people dance, it was straight in (another benefit of the martial arts - thinking katas in Karate!). I REALLY enjoyed the lesson and as you can see, it really paid off.
Jackie and Holly very kindly (and slightly bemusedly) agreed to star in the video with me and show me what to do.
Without this being a shameless plug I TOTALLY recommend this dance school. Jackie is patient and warm, and the people there made me feel completely at ease - even though I was obviously a complete noob. Holly was even sweet enough to say I looked graceful (Ha, Abi and Karen IT CAN BE DONE!!).
If you fancy trying some dance (they DO do different types) check out this link. Great!! (don't worry Charlie, I still love you and your poles!!).
The one difference to pole? No drop and roll! Whoo, my shoulders were saved tonight ;) I would say to anyone who poles without ballet - the two REALLY feel like they complement each other. Lots of core and posture work from ballet and then the core and strength and upside-down-ness from pole. I love my hobbies xD (yeah, I'm so going to ballet again so it can now be counted as a hobby ;) ).
I made the mistake of thinking that ballet would be much less cardio based and I even worried I wouldn't get my workout in.....what a wrong assumption! Much like pole, you're working - constantly (just with less body weight on your arms in ballet - it's all made up for in the calves though ;)). If you're looking for weight loss, fun and fitness, dance!!
Today's lesson?
Don't underestimate ballet....I don't know how those girls and guys aren't sweating more. I'm coming to the conclusion that maybe I'm just a sweater.... >.<
Moral of the story?
Don't drive a Punto.
Keep clicking friends!
Over and out.
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