I couldn’t balance at the beginning of barre, but by the time we were going across the floor, I was effortlessly nailing double turns from fourth with that, “Gosh, I think I will just go around once more, if nobody minds,” kind of ease.

That felt like a long time coming.

In a way, that’s a stellar analogy for how this entire term has gone: a slow, tough start, followed by progress, then setbacks, then more progress than I believed I could make.

We also had a balancé turn in one combination that caused much consternation about arms, and I came up with an awesome analogy — you pretend you’re on the El, or the subway, or the bus, and reach up with the hand on the same side as the leg that steps out, grab the strap, and turn as if pivoting around that strap.

Of course, it isn’t perfect — you still have to remember to let go of the strap as other arm flows through second, then up to fifth to take its place.

If you’re a hyperactive weirdo like me, you’ve probably actually done this at some point.

Needless to say, I’ve nicknamed this maneuver “The Straphanger Waltz,” and I think it would make an excellent video post topic.

Our break begins next Monday, so I think I might cram in an extra Friday class.

All of a sudden, everything is coming together. I feel like, as a dancer, I progress not so much by leaps and bounds, but by fits and starts. In that context, I guess this is a start?

Gotta jet(é) for now. More soon.

À bientôt, mes amis!