It took me many years to realise that many students thought they were relaxed when they were anything but. And then I realised that most of these girls (yes, girls) were also ballet girls. There is no relaxation for these girls. Today, I had a very enthusiastic 11-yr-old dancer trying to convince me she was as relaxed as she could be.
Girl: That is relaxed.
Me: ...Ummm... I can't move your hand at all. That's not relaxed.
Girl: It's - it's because of ballet! It's just - ugh. I can't do relaxed.
Me [with a lightbulb moment]: Oh... Of course. Can you just... pretend... that ballet doesn't exist...? Or just ... forget everything you've learned there...?
Girl: Um, not really. No. [brightening] Unless you want to talk to my ballet teacher?
Me: Ah, okay.
Girl [thoughtful]: Ooh. But - you'd have to wear a business suit.
Me: Okay.
Girl: And high heels.
Me: Ye-
Girl: And more make up. AND talk in a posh voice.
Me [starting to laugh]: Um, okay. [posh voice] I think I can manage that.
Girl [enthusiastically]: That was great! Okay, that should work.
Of course, she didn't tell me the dance teacher's name. But from how much I know from this girl's life, I should be able track down this teacher.
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