Broche Banter | Adult ballet training, philosophy, & inspiration

Today, I chat with Harmony, who recently achieved her goal of her first pair of pointe shoes before her upcoming 50th birthday!

We talk about her absolute undying love of ballet, what it was like for her to take her very first ballet class a little over a year ago, and why she thinks anyone with dreams of ballet should just get started and hop in with us!

Follow Harmony’s story on instagram @ballet_harmony.

Enjoy!

This podcast episode is a little different. Many of us are re-entering lockdowns, again feeling separated from our communities, and maybe even wondering what’s the point of it all. Looking ahead at a difficult winter, wondering how we’ll make it through. 

So, I wanted to take a moment, inspired by the season of giving thanks on Thanksgiving, to share my story. The last time I shared my own story on the podcast was episode 11 in June, right after I made the decision to close the studios. Since then, I’ve spent the summer healing, growing, and discovering. I have tried to write this story many times this summer. But now I am ready. The story is ready. And I think the time is right. 

This episode is not a glossy highlight reel of good things. It’s messy and sad at times, but with what I think is an ending of optimism. I hope my story will give you a sense of hope in this dark time. So come along for this ride with me. 

I am grateful for 2020 in all of its dumpster fire glory For helping me discover what truly matters, for helping me find my confidence, and for seriously making me a stronger person. For helping me reach my goals: New ideas, new experiences, and confidence.

Today, I chat with Tom who lives across the pond in the UK.

He’s always been fascinated with ballet, but only started dancing a few years ago. Before that, he began his journey with mindfulness practice, which helped pull him out of a dark time. That led him to yoga, and finally now to ballet.

He now teaches both yoga and mindfulness, and enjoys ballet for the purity of the movement, and strives to enjoy every step of the journey without getting caught up into goals. The process and living in the moment is what brings the joy.

Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Patricia, the creator of Late to the Party Ballet blog and Instagram account.

She started ballet 6 years ago, after doing ice hockey, hip hop, a little pole dancing, and then ballet. She cares for her son who has cerebral palsey.

Her incredible breadth of life experience gives her a very unique perspective on ballet, and our conversation winds to many fascinating places, from the concept of turnout and how it relates to her son’s cerebral palsey, to anxiety, and cross training.

For more from Patricia, be sure to follow her on Instagram @latetothebartyballet or check out her blog, LateToThePartyBallet.com.

Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Kat all the way from Tasmania in Australia.

She started ballet just a few weeks before lockdown. She’s also a writer and an illustrator, and we discuss the similarities and differences between how one learns those artistic pursuits and how she’s learning ballet.

She also provides a fun look into the experience of a beginner, so whether it’s been a while since you had to think about pointing your toes, or if you still can’t remember to point them, you’ll enjoy her fresh perspective on the ballet world.

Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Jamie.

She’s legally blind and despite only being able to see light, dark, shapes and colors, Jamie started ballet 3 years ago after attending a magical sensory-friendly ballet performance. About 2 years before that, she had decided to grab the bull by the horns and embarked on a weight-loss journey, losing about 120 pounds.

From performing in her local community, to her dreams of pointe, ballet keeps her motivated, brings her joy, and is a wonderful spark in her life. You can follow Jamie’s story on Instagram @blossoming_ballerina.

Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Danielle in The Netherlands.

After a magical experience watching a ballet performance as a child, she danced for several years in her youth. She stopped dancing at the age of 13, and returned to ballet at age 40 after having her second child. From ballet to the oboe to crocheting, Danielle loves to try fun new things, work hard, and persevere through challenges.

Her positive and determined attitude is bound to inspire you and leave a smile on your face.

Enjoy!

Today, on the show, I chat with Elizabeth from The Whole Pointe.

We talk about her journey starting ballet at age 14 and getting her first professional contract at age 19. But, that didn’t come without its challenges, and we talk about her experience with disordered eating and how she has rediscovered her self-worth after spending her ballet career at the bottom of the ballet hierarchy.

The conversation winds to many lovely topics, including the exciting future possibilities of the budding world of online performances.

She now leads the Beyond Ballet community, which is a membership group that helps adult dancers develop positive mindsets to support their lifelong love of ballet through journaling, meditation and visualization.

Enjoy!

Today, on the show, I chat with Kelsey.

She started ballet during grad school after retiring from a competitive swimming career in high school and college. Much of her ballet training to date has been in classes with teenagers.

We go deep about a traumatic event in Kelsey’s life that led her to be diagnosed with PTSD. This event caused her to work through perfectionism and body image challenges, and she turned to dance to express that which she had no words for.

She believes mental health is a strength, not a weakness, and that every person should have access to counseling to help them grow, improve their minds, and reach their potential.

Enjoy!

Today on the show, Julie chats with Jana, who is one of the two fabulous Ballerinas by Night, a staple of the YouTube and social media world of adult ballet. 

We talk about the challenges we have faced through the COVID time, the mixed relationship with ballet that we and our fellow dancers have felt, and just take a minute to commiserate. 

We hope that if you’re in the same boat, you’ll find some solace in the conversation, and we hope to leave you with some food for thought. 

Enjoy!