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I f you're interested in finding a new fav sport or exercise, but are just a little bit nervous about actually taking the plunge and want a few pointers first, Active nzgirl is perfect for you!
Julz Darroch (you might have seen her on Good Morning), our resident fitness guru, will try out a range of new and different fitness classes and bring you her very own verdict.
It's a little like trying before you buy - without you having to ever step foot outside your home! This week she indulges her inner ballerina - maybe it's time for you to do the same...  BackgroundIt’s been a few years since I have graced the world of ballet with my presence. I remember it well, I was 5-years-old and I went to three whole lessons in the Newlands Scout Hall. I decided that the ballet teacher obviously didn’t know what she was on about, as after three lessons I was not yet a ballerina. I didn’t go back.
I kept the pink shoes though and kept training myself at home for at least two weeks afterwards, achieving much more ballerina type success.
Pre lesson Fast forward a few years and I’m off to ballet again. I’m not completely clueless, I’ve seen a few ballets in my time so I know what to expect. I’m staying well clear of the Newlands Scout Hall this time, and heading off the Parish Hall on Karori Road. On a Friday morning there is a ‘Ballet for Mums’ class, I’m a Mum so off I go. I can’t find those pink slippers I wore last time I went to ballet so I’ll have to make do with trainers.  After the lessonIf only I’d had Hannah when I was five, my life could have been completely different! Instead of spending ages learning technique (the problem when I was five) it was a warm up then into combining moves so before I knew it I was away. Best thing? With no mirrors to see what I looked like I could be convinced I looked marvelous! Even more marvelous than me though was the daughter of one of the Mums who did parts of the class along with us- complete with pink tutu! So cute! The verdict I think the Royal NZ ballet can be safe in the knowledge that I won’t be embarking on a career as a classical dancer anytime soon, however I may dig out my slippers out of the back of the wardrobe and see what I can do in the lounge…  ProsThe class is perfect for non-ballet types; it’s all about enjoying the movement rather than worrying about being perfect and swan like. It’s not high impact or a hard cardio workout so is perfect for a more gentle workout, and it’s child friendly! Cons Cardio junkies will just be disappointed and if you like your exercise to music classes loud and pumping you’ll be asleep before you can say first position.  Now it’s your turnWhat you’ll need: Another class where you don’t need anything special, everyone had ballet slippers (mine were grey and looked very similar to socks). But you don’t need the shoes to try the class. There are a few places that offer ballet for adults, the best place to start is the old google search or call your local ballet school and see what they offer.
Cost
Hannah charges $10 for a casual session or $80 a term. The price per class will vary depending on where you go! Julz |
