From the moment I decided that I wanted to dance again, I have been devouring as much dance related content as I can fit in. (Seriously, it has even taken over my Ravelry favorites list in the form of leg warmer knitting patterns…) I found a few blogs that I’ve been reading regularly (I’m so glad I’m not the only 30-something who picked up ballet for the first time since she was 6) and one of them (Meghan from Wellies, Pearls and Ballet Shoes) offered up a challenge: to share what is in your dance bag. I wasn’t sure I was going to stick with dancing, much less write about it here, when she posted her call for bags…but better late than never, right?

While I generally shy away from this type of post, there’s more to the bag and its contents than just a bag and workout clothes.

1. What’s in your dance bag and why?
Ballet slippers, dance sneakers and tap shoes cover ballet class, dance fitness & Zumba and the occasional tap class (I just found the shoes 2 weeks ago in my old closet at my parents’ house). Hair ties & bobby pins to ensure my fine hair stays put. Deodorant, well, every gym & dance bag should have some. There’s also a spare pair of leggings and a ballet skirt.

Oh, there is also often a cane in my bag. It’s there because I can’t stand on the el on my own and because sometimes after class the pain has grown exponentially and a little help moving is needed.

Not pictured: A water bottle, ketamine cream and some sort of granola bar.

2. Where did you get your bag and how long have you been using it?
I made the bag about 5 years ago and it has been everything from a gym bag to a knitting bag to a carry on.

3. Is there anything dance related that you keep in your bag at all times… you know, the essentials?
That stuff never really leaves the bag, if I am going to a non-dance class, I’ll grab my yoga mat and a different bag for my accoutrements (water, lock, towel, etc.).

4. Is there anything that you keep in your bag for good luck?
I’m not particularly superstitious…but the ketamine cream is my insurance policy for keeping movement exacerbated pain to a minimum.

5. If your bag had a name what would it be?
People name their bags? If this one had a name it would be something delightfully old-fashioned like Mildred or Gladys.

6. How badly does you bag smell right now?
Shockingly, it doesn’t smell but that’s probably because I don’t usually carry sweaty things in it and take my shoes out to air out at home.

7. If there is anything you could change about your bag or its contents, what would it be?
Someday, I hope to not need to worry about if I’ll be able to stand on the train ride home and can leave the cane in a closet to collect dust.

8. Anything else you want to mention?
I just got my first leotard and tights, so I’m sure a spare pair of tights and therabands are going to be making their way into that bag mighty soon.