Last class, i tried to lower my toe in an arabesque, i don't even mean not winging it at all, but just a bit less. But... I immediately felt extreamly ugly and sickling. Strange, isn't it?<p>[This message has been edited by Anastasia (edited May 11, 2001).]

Anastasia - I think that is very interesting. As dancers we are teaching our bodies what is "right" -to feel it - and so our brains and bodies have learned what feels "right". So, when you do something differently it feels "wrong". <P>Mostly the body, and the mind too, likes to make habits. Life is easier if things become a habit. I didn't say it was better, but its easier. So the mind spends a lot of time doing this. That way it doesn't have to think a whole lot. LOL <P> For instance, walking has become a habit, you don't have to concentrate on it, like when you were a baby. So, now that it is a habit, your mind is free to think about other things, like shopping. ha ha <P>And habits can be very good things, but sometimes when we change one of those habits, it does feel strange, different, and wrong.