Elizabeth Gunson ("Lizzie") holds three classes for adults at Phoenix Squash & Fitness Club between 19:00 and 21:00 on Wednesday evenings:
- Ballet from 19:00 to 19:35
- Tap from 19:35 to 20:10
- Dancercise from 20:10 to 21:00
I attended all three of Lizzie's classes on 8 Sept and her ballet class last Wednesday. I enjoyed all of those classes tremendously.
The class took place in the Club's dance studio. About half a dozen of us turned up. Before the class, Lizzie asked us what we did for a living. One was an accountant, another a nurse, yet another worked in retain and one had even been a police detective. Lizzie told us a little bit about herself. Her favourite genre was ballet but she had learnt other styles. She had danced on dry land but also on cruise ships.
She started the class by correcting our posture. I have been doing ballet on or off for over 50 years and I must have developed all sorts of bad habits in that time. Lizzie straightened me out at once. I had developed the habit of looking down - probably at the computer screen during lockdown. Lizzie got me to stand my full height and raise my gaze at all times.
Having taught us all to stand properly Lizzie moved on to pliés requiring us not just to fold our legs and keep a straight back but also to have regard for our arm and head movements. We performed pliés on each side of the barre in 1st, 2nd and 5th positions though I have to confess that my 5th tends to look more like everyone else's 3rd. We proceeded with tendus and glissés, tried some balancing exercises in preparation for pirouettes and finished with a simple adagio.
The class took place in the Club's dance studio. About half a dozen of us turned up. Before the class, Lizzie asked us what we did for a living. One was an accountant, another a nurse, yet another worked in retain and one had even been a police detective. Lizzie told us a little bit about herself. Her favourite genre was ballet but she had learnt other styles. She had danced on dry land but also on cruise ships.
She started the class by correcting our posture. I have been doing ballet on or off for over 50 years and I must have developed all sorts of bad habits in that time. Lizzie straightened me out at once. I had developed the habit of looking down - probably at the computer screen during lockdown. Lizzie got me to stand my full height and raise my gaze at all times.
Having taught us all to stand properly Lizzie moved on to pliés requiring us not just to fold our legs and keep a straight back but also to have regard for our arm and head movements. We performed pliés on each side of the barre in 1st, 2nd and 5th positions though I have to confess that my 5th tends to look more like everyone else's 3rd. We proceeded with tendus and glissés, tried some balancing exercises in preparation for pirouettes and finished with a simple adagio.
The class lasted 35 minutes. That was half as long as my usual classes in Leeds and Manchester but it was every bit as demanding in that it required enormous concentration. Even though I had told her that I had never done tap and did not have the footwear Lizzie invited me to join the tap class. I am very glad that I did because it was a lot of fun. I am seriously thinking of investing in a pair of tap shoes next time I visit Freeds or some other dance shop. It is not easy but the rhythm is infectious. Again Lizzie taught us some basics and then set us a more demanding exercise.
Finally, we tried dancercise which was great fun. The best bit for me was to pretend to be walking a catwalk like 16-year-old models. We cheered each other on with our exaggerated movements and poses. That is the sort of exercise that develops stage presence and it has an obvious application for ballet. I left the studio stiff and exhausted but quite exhilarated.
As I had attended a class in Manchester the day before and had booked a workout in the gym the next day with my personal trainer yesterday I attended only ballet on Wednesday. Again, the class was not easy but I learnt a lot. It followed much the same course as the class two weeks ago with the exception that after the adagio we had a go at posé pirouettes. I have to work on these.
Finally, we tried dancercise which was great fun. The best bit for me was to pretend to be walking a catwalk like 16-year-old models. We cheered each other on with our exaggerated movements and poses. That is the sort of exercise that develops stage presence and it has an obvious application for ballet. I left the studio stiff and exhausted but quite exhilarated.
As I had attended a class in Manchester the day before and had booked a workout in the gym the next day with my personal trainer yesterday I attended only ballet on Wednesday. Again, the class was not easy but I learnt a lot. It followed much the same course as the class two weeks ago with the exception that after the adagio we had a go at posé pirouettes. I have to work on these.
Phoenix Squash & Fitness Club is a couple of miles from my home so it is very convenient for me. It is just outside the centre of Honley Village and not far from the main road between Huddersfield and Holmfirth. It has a fair-sized car park which can usually accommodate everyone. There are frequent bus services to Holmfirth and Huddersfield. I would travel to these classes if I had to. In the words of the old red Michelin guide, Lizzie's teaching vaut le voyage.
