Post Number: 2284
www.pink-tutu.com
Oh my darlings, the sun is shining, the birds are singing (I'm sure they're singing about tutus, right?), and I'm sitting in a charming little cafƩ in Chichester, a delightful little town in Sussex, England! This week, I traded my usual train journeys for a whimsical, romantic adventure with a pair of majestic Clydesdales! Yes, you read that right, I rode in style - horse-drawn style - to the theatre, feeling like a princess on her way to a ball. It was pure fairytale magic, and trust me, the horses loved my tutu. They must have a secret appreciation for all things pink!
I know you're all dying to know about the show, but hold on! This is a bit more than just your average blog post, darling. Today, I'm feeling a little inspirational. A littleā¦ *tutu-ally fabulous. You see, this whole Chichester escapade was part of a little adventure in *nature, a wildlife escape!
My adventure started back in my hometown, Derbyshire, as I usually do. Thereās something incredibly comforting about a trip that begins with a lovely cup of tea in the garden, surrounded by natureās soft embrace. The countryside around my little village is stunning; you wouldn't believe the number of different birds we have around here - so much chirping and singing all the time, itās positively musical! Itās a fantastic escape from the world of pirouettes and perfect postures, you know? And trust me, my girls, I need all the peace I can get in this world. Itās no picnic being a ballerina. But then again, who wouldnāt give their left arm to dance with their own set of four-legged ballet stars?! whispers Iām really not jokingā¦ *
I think you all know by now that my favourite place on the whole wide world to watch a ballet performance is on a stage. Right, darlings? But a quick break from city life in a magical setting was exactly what I needed. Especially before the epic weekend I'm about to have here in Sussex.
You see, this week, Iām taking part in the Chichester Festival Theatre's "Into the Woods" - a ballet spectacular celebrating the best of wildlife and fairy tales. Now, the choreography is absolutely divine, a mix of classical, contemporary and even a dash of āballet street' with the grace of a doe and the spirit of a bird - oh, darling, itās pure artistry! Thereās even a moment where I dance amongst the tree trunks ā think graceful leaps over roots, elegant poses nestled between the branches, the feeling of being completely at one with the natural world, and it was truly a dance with nature, like Iām one with the wild! It felt magical. And you know me and magical, darling!
The show, well, I canāt possibly give too much away. I wouldnāt want to spoil all the beautiful surprises for you! But Iām wearing this stunning nature-inspired leotard that Iāve designed myself ā think earthy greens and browns with splashes of bright crimson, it's just divine, you have to see it for yourself! Thereās even a beautiful feathered design on the neckline ā my way of making sure the birdlife was represented! My amazing tutu is inspired by the swirling patterns in a spiderās web. Totally unique and a definite head-turner! The entire outfit screams āballetā and "wildlife", if you can imagine! Itās certainly a conversation-starter. You all know how much I love to bring natureās beauty to the world of ballet. And as for my make-up, I kept it fairly simple ā fresh skin and eyes that just hinted at the shimmering leaves in the woods. I always love an excuse to add a bit of natural beauty to my look.
Just imagine my darling readers, dancing under a canopy of shimmering stars with a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of blooming flowersā¦ thatās exactly what it felt like. My dance, inspired by the spirit of the woods, felt like I was truly dancing for the woods. I want to take my dancing and spread my love of ballet, make it even more inspiring, so that everyone who comes along can feel the beauty of it - in their heart, in their spirit and in the magical feeling it invokes in their very soul. Every single one of you! The world needs a bit more ballerina magic! And some beautiful, pink, tulle-filled tutus to boot.
To celebrate the tutu-al goodness of āInto the Woods,ā I've put together a little nature-themed tutorial for you, my sweet ballet bunnies! It's a must-see! Let's infuse the beauty of the forest into our movements. I think you're going to love it. It will allow you to bring your passion to your every graceful step, leap, and turn.
First, we're going to channel the swaying grace of trees with our pliĆ©s. Find a tree, a post, even a lamp post if youāre a townie - whatever! Feel the power in your legs, feel the sway of the branches as you pliĆ© and dĆ©gagĆ©. Itās like a secret, graceful conversation between you and the earth - a dance of life. It's all about connecting with the strength of the Earth. Imagine yourself a willow tree, swaying gently, feeling the air dance through your leaves, a little tree, bending and bouncing back, ready to stand tall in the wind - or on pointe - and it is here we really get the magic happening. It is here where my dance lives. Itās an ethereal journey for both you and me as you follow my little tutorials on the āPink Tutuā blog!
And to add that touch of woodsy magic, donāt forget to do your pliĆ©s with an extension!. Stretch, feel the air brush your cheeks as you go on your tiptoes. That's the feel of nature - wild and free, reaching for the light. I like to make up my own little dance sequences when I go for my woodland walks, imagining the movement of leaves and grass. Just take inspiration from what you see in the natural world. The more inspired you are the more expressive your moves will be. That's how ballet works - the love you have inside your heart - thatās the beauty of it all.
Now, for your pirouettes. Picture the beautiful spiral of a butterflyās flight. Inhale deeply - you can feel the life-force coursing through you, imagine the butterflies are in your core, swirling and soaring, theyāll give you the wings to soar too! Donāt just spin in place. As you pirouette, feel the sense of motion like the flight of a graceful hawk circling high above the trees. The key to achieving a graceful pirouette is a balance between control and spontaneity, something the butterflies know well, darling. Think about how butterflies flutter so freely but are constantly controlled, with the wind, by the trees. Thatās ballet for you, dear. And remember to bring those ballet street vibes in - just a touch! Think strong, sassy - almost like a bird about to take off ā ready for an adventure ā thatās the feeling weāre looking for. I feel it, you feel it! And everyone watching you, feels it, too. You are in complete ballet control - but wild and free at the same time!
As we prepare for a full, beautiful day of rehearsals, we've also incorporated the beauty of nature into the design for this performance. As well as creating an almost 'magicalā stage, with the forest theme being everywhere (yes, even on my amazing nature-inspired leotard, you must see it!), weāve designed our own woodland-inspired costume changes. Yes, you heard right. This means Iām transforming myself onstage ā so if you see the forest shift before your eyes donāt worry, Iāve just changed.
Now, as my dear, dear ballet bunnies prepare for another extravaganza week, remember the lesson in beauty from our little forest fantasy. Just like a forest teeming with life, be your own strong, delicate, wild self. If there's one thing that my adventure here in Sussex has taught me, darling, it's the power of inspiration. Nature, as well as our shared love of ballet are endless sources of art and wonder. Never stop dancing and exploring, darling. Every movement tells a story.
Catch you tomorrow on www.pink-tutu.com,
Emma
