Thursday 24 November

Today in Class....

Such a cultured class;  As we were getting ready to do 'JCBs' at the barre, Donna leans over and says something.  'Sorry?'  Says Jean, not quite catching the words through Donna's lovely accent.  Donna repeats.  And again. " Ohhhhhh!"  at last the penny drops..."diggers!" Jean thought she kept saying 'Degas,' and couldn't figure out what exercise that was!!!!!

Lovely Rosa who is just finishing her training tells us that in Cambridge the method is lovingly nicknamed "Lotte Botty". I think it could catch on....

Esther started a little discussion about whether husbands/partners appreciate the benefits of all our hard work (toned, shapely, supple bodies).  Not many do it seems!  Although one student did say that her hubby called her firm and lifted bum her 'Glorious Esther Bum" (Gloria Estafan).  Wonderful! And she is 72!!!!!

                                      

    (please point your toes more than I have for this photo!)

Exercise for the Day:

Half a Banana

1. Lie on your side with the bottom leg gently curled on the ground, your upper leg curved and lifted about             4-6 inches above it, toes pointed.  Top of hip pushed forward provocatively.  Lower arm props torso up,   elbow bent.  Other hand can be on upper hip ensuring it stays forward.

      2. Push top leg back-back-back horizontally in a small, controlled movement, keeping its shape and holding rest of body in position. (About 10 times…feel the muscles in the thigh, bottom and hip working!)

      3. Back to original position and lift-lift-lift upper leg maintaining its shape. (at least 8 times)

      4. Now extend upper leg until straight, happy foot (foot flexed) and down-up, down-up, down-up. (8 repetitions)

     5. Repeat on other side

     6. Smile! 

Today in class...Thursday 17 November

Bums and hips - ohhh the pain!

Today in class we...

did tart's position,

felt the agony of our glutimus maximus 

and heard it singing!

hugged fat men and thin men and 

- keep those legs together -

did Esther's favourite finale,

remembered the good old days (before my time) 

in the studio at the old Mill 

with damp, dripping walls and no door on the loo

(there was a bead curtain but you had to whistle as you wee'd)

My muscles still ache from the last class

but so good to get through the pain...

Esther's whip helps.

Exercise for the day:

             Tart's Position

1. Sit beside a wall with one knee cap flat against it, leg bent (see picture above) and other leg bent in same direction, it's knee cap against first leg's toe (both toes pointed)

2. Push hips forward towards wall, hands holding onto barre, chest pushing at wall  and lift the foot of the outside leg, lift, lift lift ten times

3. Now, keeping position, lift entire outside leg from hip.  This is HARD. Now lift, lift, lift ten times.

4. Maintaining position with outside leg lifted and holding upper body still, push leg back back back with a controlled swinging motion, leg parallel to the floor.

5. Now repeat on other side

This exercise works the entire hip and buttock area and even up into your waist. The first few classes I could not even lift my leg off the floor but now I am so much stronger! It also uses the entire core as you counter-balance and work to maintain the position. A real treat!