SPINOUS

February 8, 2010

Spinous
\’spi-nes\ adj 1a: having spines, prickles, or thorns b: slender and pointed like a spine 2:difficult or unpleasant to handle or meet : thorny*

As I’m sure all little girls are at one point in their lives, I was a ballerina. Some girls go on to study this beautiful art form for most of their lives, going on to graduate from a conservatory, teach or become prima ballerinas. I on the other hand did not make it my life’s passion, however it was an activity that I enjoyed and took great pride in the fact that I could do step ball change when no one else could.
For the past year, I have come to find myself in the company of many dancers, working at a dance studio doing administrative work. While there are a myriad of genres of dance that take place at this studio, it is the ballet students who really capture my attention with their fluid grace and their beautiful posture. They definitely make ballet look like effortless motions when in fact it is a strict atmosphere that demands concentration and commitment.
I do not always understand dance language or the stringent schedules dancers have to abide by. I do not always understand (but do respect and appreciate) the hard work and dedication it takes to perfect this elegant passion. I find myself often comparing my current environment to scenes from the famous movie “Center Stage,” wondering if those things really do happen. I often find myself behind a veil of ignorance yet know that when I eventually see the spinous foot of a ballerina with an arch that is unbelievable, I temporarily forget my ignorance, enraptured by the sheer beauty of what is unfolding before me.

*letter “e” is upside down producing sound of “uh”