| How do you know you are doing things right in ballet | | | | self-criticism is not. Once it becomes a habit it takes on |
| class? You count on being told if you are doing | | | | a life of its own. |
| something wrong. Not that all teachers correct | | | | Knowing what your body is capable of, right now, and |
| everyone, every class. Most teachers do, or try their | | | | in the long run, is important. The purpose of good |
| best to, but some do not. | | | | training is to teach you what the ideal is, and how to |
| You want your teacher to correct you. And you get | | | | compensate safely, yet aesthetically, for what you do |
| corrected. It is all about what is wrong. You want to | | | | that is less than ideal. Not all teachers are trained for |
| show up in the right ballet shoes and pointe shoes, in | | | | this. |
| the right ballet wear, and you want to measure up to | | | | If you are not in a big city with many studios to choose |
| all that is expected. | | | | from, do not despair. The information about ballet |
| Some students are fine with this. Maybe their | | | | training that used to be available only by being in a |
| self-assurance is a given. Maybe they do not aspire to | | | | particular teacher's studio, is now more widely |
| a ballet career, and they just enjoy doing their best. | | | | accessed. Not that a book or video can replace |
| However, if you are seriously dedicated to becoming | | | | excellent classes, I am not saying that. |
| professional, it can be discouraging. | | | | If you need a boost in self-assurance, and need to |
| The demands of ballet technique encourages | | | | build confidence, get all the information you can. From |
| self-criticism. But being aware of your particular | | | | your teachers, and from other sources too. And it is |
| technical weaknesses is different from nagging and | | | | okay to KNOW that there are some things you do |
| criticizing yourself. Awareness is helpful, and | | | | very well. |