Survival Guide for Dancers

Respond: Best Ballet Tip

2011-08-14T08:44:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long. I wanted to do a post where anyone can respond, and other dancers can look at for help. So, what is the best ballet tip or advice you've gotten? If you can't possibly decide which is the best advice you've gotten so far, put what recent advice has helped you. Just leave a comment! I think this would be great to look at if everyone contributes :)

Nikolai Tsiskaridze

2011-07-16T12:00:00.001-06:00

Nikolai Tsiskaridze

He is currently a principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, performing almost all of their repertoire. Nikolai was born in Tbilisi, and started training at age 11 at the Tbilisi Ballet School. He was then invited around the age of 13 to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy where he finished his training. At graduation he joined the Bolshoi Ballet as well as attending the Moscow Choreographic Institute.

Updates

2011-06-30T12:50:00.004-06:00

Well, a lot has happened since I last wrote about me getting my pointe shoes. I had a summer showcase where I did a folk character dance and I also danced "Prayer" from Coppelia (there was a soloist and my class was the "corps" so to speak). Now that the showcase is over I have started my summer classes, which is only once a week of an hour of semi private pointe and a two hour ballet class. We actually tried to do releves en pointe without the barre the other day and you should have seen me! It was like I was learning to walk again!

A couple days ago I got my year end evaluation, which I was very much looking forward to. And... I'm going to be in level 6 once ballet starts in August :) I was in level 4 (prepointe) for any of you who don't remember, and I'm basically skipping a whole year of pointe, so it's going to take a lot of work! I can't believe how far I have come since last summer.

Forgot padding to class!

<-- "Prayer" Costume

Snacks for Class

2011-06-23T16:45:00.000-06:00

Want something to eat before or between dance classes and not regret it? Try out some of these healthy snacks :)

Granola/Protein Bar- Easy, grab and go. There are a ton of brands out there, but when selecting stay away from the sugary ones. I personally am a fan of Luna Bars, Kashi, and Barre (made for dancers! realfoodbarre.com).
Yogurt- Like granola bars there are lots of brands. Look for ones that are fat free or low fat and all natural. I prefer Chobani Greek Yogurt- it has 16g of protein, it's all natural and fat free.
Trail Mix- Put whatever you like in it! Nuts, raisins, dried fruit, seeds, etc. You can make it yourself or buy it already made.
Fruit- Grab a piece of fruit for class. Apples, oranges, tangerines, pears, blueberries, peaches... lots of possibilities. You can even cut up a variety fruit beforehand, and put it in a container with plain or vanilla yogurt.
Small Sandwich- I say a small or half a sandwich so you don't get too full right before you go dance, but it is really up to you and your body on what you can handle.
Veggies- Grab a plastic bag throw in some carrots, celery, whatever vegetable you desire :) Simple and tasty.

Got any snacks you like to eat for dance? Let me know in the comments!

First Pointe Shoes

2011-05-11T09:21:00.000-06:00

Long time no see! Things have been pretty hectic lately with school wrapping up, but I finally have made it out onto this blog. Two weeks ago I got fitted for my first pair of pointe shoes! If you've been around here for long, then you know I have been anticipating this :) The fitting went pretty well I think, we ended up debating between Grishko and Russian Pointe, and found the Russian Pointes looked best. The model is Entrada with a medium flexible shank because my teacher wanted us to start out with a bit of a harder shoe. I have had two classes on pointe so far, and I am just struggling a bit with getting all the way up the box because they aren't quite broken in yet. Overall though, my teacher says we are doing good for just starting. If you have never worn pointe shoes before, it really isn't as bad as some people make it out to be... but your arches may feel like they're burning :) I take pointe with my friend Lauren before class for 30 min. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and we might even add Fridays because my teacher wants to possibly move us up to level/grade 6 next year! That's a big IF though, because we would have to take enough pointe in the summer and she would have to feel we could skip a year of pointe... yikes! This is what I've been hoping for though.

Spring Break & Video For Thought

2011-04-01T21:40:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been posting a lot! I hope you have enjoyed/are enjoying your spring break from dance, work, school. For some of you, you may not want to stop dance, but remember it is good to give your body a rest now and then. You don't want to burnout! Anyways, here is a video for thought...

Zero Gravity from Paul Jax on Vimeo.

Split Help

2011-03-14T22:38:00.001-06:00

A pretty common question for dancers is to get into a full split or over-split, and how to do it fast. Sadly, it won't happen in a week, but if you stay dedicated I'd say a month or two... depending how far you can go already. Here are some ways to go about this:

Work on your splits everyday. If you are feeling exceptionally sore, then just stretch. The best time to work on your splits would be after ballet class when you are still warm; you never want to do it with out some sort of warming up or you could pull a muscle!
When doing your front splits, I like to ease into it by having your back leg straight out, and the front leg bent, and just hold there for a while. Same with the middle splits, I ease into it by doing a butterfly stretch or a frog stretch.
Okay, so now the best thing to do is to go slowly into the split. Go down until you feel a slight discomfort and hold for about 10 seconds. Then go down further where you actually feel pain, hold for 30 seconds, and release the split. Repeat this more than once pushing yourself a little bit farther than before.
Another thing you can do is to bounce in your split, and then hold when you go down. Some people say this isn't good to do... but it is really up to you. Ask your teacher if you are unsure about doing this.
One way you can work on your middle split is to push into it against the wall. I like this one especially because it won't let your knees roll inward, and therefore is helping your turnout. Hold in this position around 30 seconds at a time and always give yourself time to shake out of it before going back into your splits.
A way to work on your middle split with two people is to face each other, and push forward into your split so your legs are pushing against each other. Then grab each others arms, and pull her/him forward while you lie on your back. Then she pulls you forward so she is on her back.
To do over splits you can put a leg on anything from a chair to a mat. It's best to start in smaller things like a pillow or chair, then as you get more flexible work your way up to a higher objects.
Breathe! When holding your splits for longer periods of time, it is going to hurt. Keep breathing, and maybe even listen to some music to get your mind off of the pain.

In a nut shell, warm up before you stretch and go into your splits, hold for longer periods of time but shake your body out before starting again, breathe, do middle splits with a wall or partner, and work on over splits from anything from a chair to a pillow.

Video for Thought

2011-02-09T11:06:00.003-07:00

This dance is part of the project of La La La Human Steps: Amelia which is directed and choreographed by Edouard Lock. It is performed by the Canadian company La La La Human Steps and uses intricate and sharp, fast, movements. It is amazing to watch, and I definitely recommend buying the DVD.

Thinking About Summer

2011-02-03T23:47:00.003-07:00

Guess what time it is? Audition season of course :) I'm sure most of you are very excited and nervous! Side note: where are you auditioning for summer? Anyways, I was planning on going to Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet this summer...but then I looked at the price, and my parents definitely won't pay $4,000 for an intensive...so I would probably have to save up for half of it. No way will I have that much money in time! I have a back up plan though, I am either going to take private lessons at my studio or go to this other intensive I heard about that is local. I hope you all do well in auditions!

New Year Resolutions

2011-01-03T08:29:00.004-07:00

Hello! I hope you all have a happy new year! I think it is good to set resolutions related to dance so you can achieve, and envision your goals. Here are mine (:

Get my middle/straddle split
Clean pirouettes
Better balance in passe
More flexible and strong feet
Higher arabesque

Also, please send any requests for blog posts to chloeydances@gmail.com or in the comments!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T20:49:00.001-07:00

Wish you all the best :)

Dance Gifts- Day 3

2010-12-23T21:03:00.005-07:00

Click on the images above to get these items! There is a foot massage, bun cover, and loose lamb's wool. Getting a bunch of small items together for someone who loves dance is a great holiday gift! Each of these are around $5.

Dance Gifts- Day 2

2010-12-22T08:42:00.005-07:00

Click the images above to buy these DVDs! La Danse is a documentary of the Paris Opera Ballet and is $34.95.The Finis Jhung DVDs are great for any level of ballet, and helps with your technique in many different areas; you can buy it for $40-50. These would make a great gift for a friend in ballet, or for yourself!

Dance Gifts- Day 1

2010-12-20T13:11:00.006-07:00

Click on the images above to get these ballerina ornaments! They're a great way to show your love of dance on a holiday tree. Check out more posts this week for other dance gifts (:

Nutcracker

2010-12-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Nutcracker Photos!
Maria
Costumes!
Lauren & Me

Me as Pollichinelle

Nutcracker has been going well! For any new readers, I am Pollichinelle and Solider in the Colorado Ballet. It's almost over now, my last performance is Christmas Day. I'm just really fortunate that I'm in a studio that is given such opportunities :) Are any of you in a Nutcracker performance, or having one at your studio? Best wishes.

Preparing for Recitals

2010-11-30T11:40:00.004-07:00

You may find yourself feeling stressed out before a show, or realizing you forgot something! These are some things you should do to prepare for a recital, and what to take.

The day before your recital, pack your bag. That way on the day of, you just have to worry about hair and makeup.
Eat a heavy dinner the day before, and eat light foods on the day of the recital. You definitely don't want an upset stomach.
In your bag, make sure your have an extra pair of tights, pointe shoes (if on pointe), and bobbypins.
Keep your costume(s) in a seperate bag if possible (the kind that hangs), that way it doesn't get wrinkled or torn.
Even if you do your makeup and hair at your house, take your makeup bag and hairspray/pins for touch ups and such.
Make sure you have a water bottle in your bag.
In your bag, have double-sided tape in case you costume rips.
Bring a book and/or an ipod so you have something to do quietly when your waiting, or distract you from your nerves.
The day of the recital, give yourself plenty of time to get ready and leave. No one likes a late dancer.
The day of the recital check your bag, grab your stuff, and enjoy the show (:

We Speak No Americano

2010-11-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Updates and Such

2010-11-04T15:54:00.000-06:00

I hope you all had a great Halloween! I would love to hear what your costume was if you dressed up, or if you teach a class and did something holiday realted. I was a zombie ballerina :) If any of you watch Gossip Girl, you'll be happy to know that ABT principals Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel will be appearing on Monday. Also on Monday, Dance Advantage is having a week of giveaways, so be sure to comment for a chance to win dance related prizes.
I know it is only November, but you might want to start preparing for summer intensives. American Ballet Theatre's audition tour starts January 8th, and Boston Ballet's audition tour starts the day after. If any of you are interested, more details are here and here.

Paloma Herrera

2010-10-28T14:12:00.000-06:00

Paloma Herrera

Paloma was born in Argentina and graduated from the Institute of Arts there. At the age of fifteen she moved to New York and attended the School of American Ballet. Only six months later she was hired at the American Ballet Theatre, and at age 17 she became a soloist. One of the things she is recognized for is being the youngest principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre history, at the age of nineteen in 1995. She has won many awards and been a guest dancer in companies like: New York City Ballet, Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and Tokoyo Ballet. She now has a DVD out called "Paloma Herrera here and now". Paloma is a beautiful dancer, and an idol to many.

<---In Swan Lake.

Dance Class Feuds

2010-10-11T08:37:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! I've been having a blast lately with Nutcracker rehearsals, working on the Winter Recital, and meeting new people at the academy :) Speaking of dance friends, I think it's a good idea to touch on the subject of competitiveness within dance class. It's natural that you may compare yourself to other students, I know it is hard for me to ignore the other people sometimes. The thing is, I know lots of people who start to have negative thoughts about themselves because of this. You should be happy about the accomplishments you've made, and not worry about whether you're the best in the class. Putting other people down too, by bragging or making rude remarks comes hand in hand with the competitiveness, and should not be done. Try to make friends in your class, you may be with them for awhile!

Please Don't Go

2010-09-30T14:01:00.002-06:00

So, first of all, I am sorry I haven't been posting! I've been really busy, and I have decided I will be only be posting once a week on Thursdays. I also am putting up a blogroll on the blog, and if you want to be on it, please email me.
I found a contest for you where you can win tickets to see So You Think You Can Dance on tour and possibly when a $500 shopping spree at Lulus, here. Also, I have a youtube video of a freestyle dance by Axel Villamil.

Short Post

2010-09-21T22:25:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone! Just a quick post here :) If you follow me on twitter then you already know, but if not, I got the parts of pollichenelle and soliders for the Nutcracker! Plus, I will be having a winter recital in January... so I'm really busy lately. I also wanted to thank everyone for the feedback lately, I really do appreciate the comments and follows. Oh and the blog is being featured on danceadvantage.net! Click here :)

If you would like a bit of a laugh check this Thin and Dizzy post (at least I found it funny!).

B Is For Balance!

2010-09-14T16:52:00.000-06:00

Balance is something that isn't obtained easily, I'm sorry to say. Just like getting the splits, it is going to take a bit of time. You have to work hard if you want it faster, and I have a few things you can do to achieve this.

When you are trying to balance, your whole body should be squeezing, or be engaged, I suppose is a better word. Especially your core. So, wouldn't it make sense that if you had stronger abdominal muscles you would have better balance? Start out by doing sit-ups, or planks (note my post long and lean if you don't know what this is), every other night. Believe me, this will help if you are eating right.
Balancing is also a mind thing. If you are thinking about your feet, or looking down, you will most likely lose balance. Have you ever tried balancing on one foot, and someone tells you to put a finger on your stomach... and then suddenly you are balancing! Doing that isn't actually going to help you keep balance, it's just a bit of a mind thing. Visualising success=success :)
Standing on one leg in releve or en pointe requires leg and foot muscle. So, this may be part of your problem. I like to do say, 50 releves each night, even when I have dance. Then, when this becomes easy, I go up to 60 releves, and so forth. Doing releves every night will help you strengthen your legs and ankles. You should also do it on one leg with the other in coup de pied, it is much harder.
Practice! Seriously, whenever you get the chance, practice balancing. In fact, set out some time every day for your exercises (like releves and sit-ups), stretching, and balancing. Don't get discouraged, it will take some time! And, needing to take a break is normal, don't burn yourself out.

Good luck :) Speaking of luck... I find out tomorrow if I got the audition!

Auditions

2010-09-11T12:41:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! Tomorrow is my audition for the Nutcracker! I'm surprised that I'm not nervous... I really just want to get it over with and see if I make it. I know a lot of people have certain things they do to "get in the zone", but I don't really have any! I just plan on warming up before, and listening to music so I don't worry about the other dancers. That's really important in an audition, to focus on yourself, not the other people you're trying out with. You should make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before too. I usually eat a big dinner, and then on the day of the audition, eat light meals and drink plenty of water. When packing, make sure you have everything you could need...and extras. Extra tights, extra shoes (especially if you're doing pointe), extra bobby pins, and an extra water bottle. It is a good idea to get there early because you are not always given time to warm up, and you definitely want to be warm and flexible for your audition. Don't sweat it, if you don't get this audition, there is always another. :)

Dirty Orchestra

2010-09-07T21:55:00.000-06:00

Hello! I have another contemporary video for you from Beyond Words dance company. I think the concept is quite creative.

What do y'all think? (yes, I said y'all) :)

Daniil Simkin

2010-09-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Daniil Simkin

Daniil was born in Russia, October 12, 1987. Around 1990 his family moved to Germany, and he was given private lessons under instruction of his mother Olga Aleksandrova. At age 12 he was finished with his education (academic) and started competing around the globe. At age 19 he joined the ballet company Vienna State Opera playing part in many classical, neoclassical, and contemporary pieces. In 2007 he performed his first principal role with the Lithuanian National Opera. He has been awarded Senior Gold Medal at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2006, Grand Prix International Ballet Competition Helsinki 2005, and Gold Medal at the 21st International Ballet Competition in Varna 2004, and many others. He quit Vienna State Opera and joined the American Ballet Theatre at age 21 as a soloist, and is there to this day.
<--Daniil Simkin in the "Flames of Paris" pas de duex

eh.

2010-08-31T21:36:00.000-06:00

Really tired. No post today :(

If you want to check out a neat blog I recommend looking at The Ballet Bag (theballetbag.com).

I'll definitely have a post up Saturday!

Update and Pas De Deux

2010-08-28T17:38:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm super excited because the Nutcracker season is coming up! My auditions are on September 12, when are yours? If I get a part it will be small because it's the state's official ballet company, and they let the academy be in parts like the party scene, or soliders. Anyways, I have this video I found on youtube from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, I found it enjoying, I hope you do to :) Oh, and if you have any requests or suggestions please leave a comment below or send me an email at chloeydances@gmail.com

Yummy Recipe

2010-08-24T12:30:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I found out about this recipe that's easy, tastes good, and is healthy! It's from fuelfordancers, which is a great blog, and it is Yogurt with Apples, Almonds, Honey and Cinnamon.

"Technical Requirements
Bowl
Box Grater (that you would grate cheese with)
Spoon

Culinary Choreography
1/2 cup Plain Yogurt (whole milk or low fat....non-fat plain is lame)
1 Apple, grated with skin on (choose an apple with firm, crisp, tangy-sweet flesh)
Handful of almonds, chopped (you could use pre-sliced or slivered almonds too)
A couple of swirls from a Liquid Honey bear
Pinch of cinnamon

In a bowl, add yogurt then top artistically with grated apple. Chop and scatter nuts, swirl the honey in a lovely pattern and dust with cinnamon. Admire it. Then, destroy it as you would a sandcastle and enjoy!

THE BREAKDOWN.........So what's in it for me????

YOGURT
rich in PRO-BIOTICS which aid in digestion and assimilation of enzymes. Pro-biotics also inhibit growth of undesirable bacteria and replenish good bacteria in the intestinal tract (especially after a round of anti-biotics and/or other medications). Pro-biotics help restore balance in the digestive system making food easier for the body to metabolize and turn into energy.

contains other friendly bacteria including lactobacillus acidophilus, bifdobacterius and lactobacillus bulgaricus which enhance the body's immune system, helps synthesize B vitamins and promotes intestinal health
great source of complete protein
Calcium (necessary to synthesize vitamin B12 and absorbed with Vitamin D. Works with Phosphorus (see below) and Magnesium to strengthen skeletal and cardiovascular systems, lower blood pressure, prevent muscle cramping, control anxiety and insure quality rest & sleep)

NOTE: Not all yogurt is created equally so read the ingredient labels carefully. Seek out brands containing 'live or active cultures'. Many flavored brands contain added chemical additives such as: high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, modified corn starch and potassium sorbate to enhance shelf life, flavor and consistency in lower or non-fat products. Incidentally, some of the aforementioned additives can cancel-out the health benefits mentioned above.
Look for the most 'natural' product you can find. Certified Organic products have a certain criteria that does not allow the use of artificial sweeteners and stabilizers; so if your palate doesn't care for 'plain' yogurt, look to organic brands for flavored options.
Greek Yogurt is also a wonderful option, not only is the texture, rich and creamy with slightly less 'tang' it is a protein powerhouse!

APPLES

easier to digest than most other fruits
aid in hydrating and internally cleansing the body
low in calories and natural sugars
good source of fiber, especially the skin!
apples contain the mineral Boron (enhancing the use of calcium in bone structure and formation)

ALMONDS
high in B Vitamins (promoting feeling of well-being)
source of Unsaturated Fats (the good kind!)
source of protein, calcium & iron
Phosphorus (aids in brain oxygenation, cell reproduction and decreases muscle fatigue)
Potassium (a mineral enhancing muscle performance and electrical signals between cells and nerves, works with sodium to regulate body's water balance, promotes clear thinking by oxygenating brain)
Vitamin E (immune stimulating, alleviates fatigue, accelerates healing)

HONEY
contains vitamins and minerals that help metabolize glucose and other sugars
has antiseptic properties

CINNAMON
aids in absorption of nutrients
aroma steadies and calms nerves
aids in the metabolizing of sugars by slowing the absorption into the blood stream thus less chance of a 'sugar high'. "

Try it out! I know I liked it :) And once again, I do not own this recipe, I'm simply delivering it to you.

Therabands

2010-08-21T21:54:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone! I'm excited because I got moved up a level in ballet :) Anyways, in honor of being in pre pointe I am going to give just some basic exercises you can do with a theraband. There are lots of them out there, and the theraband is great for strengthening your feet and ankles even if you're on pointe.

Put the theraband on the ball of your foot but up enough so your toes are on it as well. Grab both ends of the theraband and flex the foot. Then go through demi pointe into full pointe, and back into the flex. For more resistance you can double up the band.

Put the theraband on the ball of your foot but up enough so your toes are on it as well. Pull the band ends to the inside of your foot. Put your other foot on the band as well (one foot should be uncovered and the other wrapped). Move the wrapped foot away from your other foot. This is for strengthening the ankle.

Pointe with your foot in the theraband (as in the first exercise), and write the alphabet moving your ankle around.

Wrap the theraband around your toes and bring the ends around behind your foot. Then lift your leg up using the band. This is a stretch for the instep of your foot.

So there you are. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher if she knows any! Until next time...

Trees

2010-08-17T16:44:00.002-06:00

My ballet class started yesterday! My teacher wanted to start out slow, which was agonizing, but besides that she said the funniest analogies. One of them was like "Your supporting leg is a tree trunk and your working leg the branches. When the wind blows the trunk doesn't move, but the branches do." I guess that's supposed to make me understand better? Why can't she just say that I need to keep my hips in line and keep the weight on my supporting leg? But hey, who I am I to correct her.

This is it for now, I have loads to do! Saturday's post should be much longer :) Oh, and here is the trailer to Black Swan!

Updates

2010-08-11T00:00:00.003-06:00

Hey guys :) Dance and school start next week for me! I'm super excited, but I know I'm going to be busy, so I will only be posting on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Oh, and I found a giveaway you can enter in to win a sporty leotard. Keep dancing!

Melissa Hough

2010-08-09T00:00:00.007-06:00

Melissa Hough

Melissa was born in Maryland, 1985. She trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC and performed in ballet competitions like the Helsinki International Ballet Competition, the International Ballet Competition, and the Vail International Dance Festival. In 2004 she was accepted in the corps de ballet for Boston Ballet, in 2007 she became soloist, and in 2009 a principal dancer. Starting this season (2010-2011) she has decided to join Houston Ballet because; "I have been with Boston Ballet for seven years and I've been feeling the need to change for quite some time. I've always liked Boston Ballet's size and Houston Ballet has about the same number of dancers. I'm very interested in improving my acting skills and Houston does a lot of work that involve major theatrical skills. I'm hoping the company will push me harder to reach my goal. They also have amazing facilities for dance. The company is moving to a new building in the downtown area in the spring of 2011 and the theatre is fantastic." This quote was taken from an interview with Melissa you can view here.

<---Melissa as the role of Aurora

Dance Class Etiquette

2010-08-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

With dance starting up again (if not already!) I thought we should go over some dance class etiquette. I have seen some really rude dancers in class, and whether you forgot or don't know, here are a few Do's and Don'ts.

DO say thank you to the instructor after class. In most classes you are required to give the teacher reverence, but if not, you should give thanks for them giving up their time to teach you.

DO listen to any instruction that is given, even if it is not for you. You can still learn from what is being said.

DO be on time. If you are late and asked to sit out, be respectful of the class. You can even take notes to look at later.

DO respect the space of others. If you want to do a combination full out, be aware of others, don't just run into them!

DON'T take a break unless your teacher allows you to. It's rude.

DON'T take your phone into class. If you do, make sure it is on silent.

DON'T give up on a routine. If you mess up, try and finish the combination!

DON'T use class time as social time as well.

Have anything to add? I know these are pretty basic, but you may forget!

News!

2010-08-04T00:00:00.005-06:00

Hello :) Monday, over 200 ballerinas set the world record in Central Park for largest stand en pointe! 241 ballerinas of all ages showed up, and 230 stayed on their toes until the end. I wish I could have been there. In other news, how would you like to win a dance scholarship for up to $5,000?! Harlequin Floors is going to have a random drawing and pick twenty people to win money for dance. There is no harm in entering, so go check it out here! Besides possibly winning a dance scholarship, a movie called Black Swan is coming out in select cities on December 1st. Here is the summary: "A psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet, Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a featured dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company (Mila Kunis). Black Swan takes a thrilling and at times terrifying journey through the psyche of a young ballerina whose starring role as the swan queen turns out to be apart for which she becomes frighteningly perfect."

And, don't forget the movie Step Up 3 hits theatres August 6th! What's one of your favorite dance movies?

Start Off the Season With

2010-08-02T00:00:00.001-06:00

It's August! Here are some new products you might be interested in to start off the season :

Studz Footundeez by Capezio $15.25

V-Waist Shorts by Balera $11.95 child and $14.95 adult

Open Back Leotard by Balera $17.95 child and $19.95 adult

Racer Back Bra Top by Funky Diva $17.95

80's Crop T-Shirt by Urban Groove $14.95

Adam (wine) by Lignes Dancewear $28.00

High Back Square Neck Tank by Prima Soft $30.00

Some of these are from different retailers because I looked for the cheapest price possible for each item. What is your favorite place to get dance products?

Nike Ad- Dancer vs Ballerina

2010-07-30T00:00:00.001-06:00

I love this Russian ad! Don't forget to participate on Dance Day, and you're always welcome to email or comment requests for future posts. :)

I wonder what a fusion of pointe and hip hop would look like...

Stay Positive

2010-07-28T00:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, I get pretty negative. And I just wanted to remind everyone to never give up, to stay optimistic. A bad attitude won't make anything better! Set goals for yourself and write them on a sticky note so you can look at it everyday. Practice with all your heart, and strive to be the best you can be. In time, it will pay off. If all the great dancers decided to stop when the going got tough, there would be none.

The mirror is not you. The mirror is you looking at yourself.

-George Balanchine

Polina Semionova

2010-07-26T09:08:00.000-06:00

So here's a famous dancer I thought I would introduce you to. I know, this is a short intro, but I'm too tired to form more then necessary words :)
Polina Semionova
1984 she was born in Moscow and later on went to the Bolshoi Ballet School. In 2002 she graduated and became a principal at the Berlin Staatsoper Ballet, age 18. She also toured in Japan with Vladimir Malakhov. Polina got a gold medal at the Moscow International Ballet Competition in 2001. In 2002 she got first prize at the Vaganova-Prix Ballet Competition in St Petersburg, and Junior Prize at the Japan International Ballet Competition.
She is absolutely breath taking to watch!

Nice Buns

2010-07-23T00:52:00.000-06:00

Okay, so today I am going to show you five different ways to put your hair in a bun and hopefully give you a more exciting hairstyle at class!
1. Put your hair in a ponytail. Twist the hair into a "rope" and coil. Pin securely and use a hair net if needed.

2. Put your hair in a ponytail. Braid the ponytail, and spritz so flyways stay down. Coil, and pin. Use a hair net if needed.

3. French braid hair until the nape of your neck and secure with a clear elastic. Twist rest of hair and coil into bun, pinning it.

4. Brush all of hair onto one side of your neck (lets say the left) and place bobby pins to hold hair to one side. Spritz to make sure it is nice and smooth. Grab the hair together again and wrap around your hand going towards the right. Twist into cone shape and secure with pins, hairspraying to hold in place. To see an excellent video on the french twist click here.
5. This bun is ideal if you have short hair. Secure hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck, if hair falls out secure with bobby pins. Section hair into three pieces. For each piece, fold hair under (away from the center of the ponytail), and bobby pin into place. Hairspray or use hairnet if possible.

Goodluck on your buns!

D-day and Free Stuff

2010-07-21T00:15:00.001-06:00

Hello! So there is something I'm really excited about, and it's NATIONAL DANCE DAY! Starting for the first year ever, July 31st is being declared dance day (or D-day) by Nigel Lythgoe. If you watch So You Think You Can Dance, then I'm sure you know who he is! Basically D-day encourages everyone young or old to get up and dance, and for people all over the world to come together through dancing. I hope you participate on D-day! On another note, have you heard about Eliza Gaynor Minden? She is the president and head design of Gaynor Minden, the premier dancewear company, whose pointe shoes are being worn by leading dancers throughout the world. She has a website called dancer.com which I totally encourage you to check out! You can order pointe shoes, leotards, warm ups, bags, shoe accessories (which includes the Totally Toes Fitting Kit) and even get free stuff! Yes, I said free stuff...granted its not a pair of free pointe shoes, but you can get a poster, or more than one, of some amazing ballerinas. Yekaterina Shipulina, Bolshoi Ballet wears Gaynor Minden! And many more dancers do...go check it out!

Long and Lean

2010-07-19T07:41:00.001-06:00

Okay, now that my summer intensive is done, I thought I would post 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). So on Saturday I was walking around Denver with my family and we stopped at the most amazing cupcake shop! After eating three cupcakes, I realized I should start doing some conditioning for dance in the fall (not just because of the cupcakes). I am going to share some exercises you can do to be long and lean, but know that what you eat is a major part in your body weight. This does not mean starve yourself.
1. As shown in the picture to the left, hold your arms above your head, grab onto something. With your legs together lift the up and down slowly without putting them back on the ground. Make sure they go high enough so you can feel it work your abs.
2. Do ten releves, after that do ten releves with plie, and then do 6 releves on each foot cou de pied. If your calves are not burning, then you should do more then ten and six.
3. Sit ups, crunches, and bicycles are great ab workouts! You can also lay on your back with your feet in butterfly position, and do crunches up.
4. Put your arms straight out to the side with your palms up and go up and down in a small motion for however many reps you like. You can also go front and back in a small motion, and on either exercise add weights to hold. I got this from Danceadvantage and you can check out the video here.
5. Hold on to a chair or barre, facing it. With your legs parallel tendu back and lift 20 times. Do the same for the other leg. You can also do this exercise turned out if you wish.
6. With a chair or barre, stand facing it with your legs parallel. Lift your knee forward about 90 degrees then swing your leg back. Make sure your leg is straight when it goes back, and do 20 times on each leg.
7. Stand in a wide second position, hands on your hips. Go into a deep grande plie, no bend at the waist. Return to the starting positon and repeat 15 times.
8. Lay on your stomach with your legs straight back. Go up on your forearms and keep your body flat as a board. Hold for 1 min or longer if it gets too easy. This is called a "plank", and your abs should be engaged during.
9. Lay on your back feet straight in front of you. Lift your upper body and legs at the same time, hold for two seconds, then go back down. Repeat 15 times.
10. Put your arms to a wall and walk your legs out so your body is at a slant. Go on releve, and start doing slow pushups to the wall 10 times. After that do 10 more but much faster. Make sure your tummy is tight!
These are a few things you can try at home that won't get you bulky! A good plan is to switch off every other day with cardio and strength exercises. Running, swimming, yoga/pilates, or just plain dancing are great things to do that are more fun then situps on the floor. If you are doing a summer intensive, I do not suggest taking the same plan! You will get burned out before the season even starts, especially if it's an every day intensive. If you want to buy a product to get stronger, leaner, lose weight, I suggest these...

Element: Ballet Conditioning DVD

Enjoy!

Off the Rails

2010-07-15T00:01:00.001-06:00

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." -Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Today is the last day of my summer intensive :( The good news is, I have gotten better (like on Tuesday I did a pirouette without falling over)! The other good news is that I was fiddling around on YouTube and found this contemporary choreographer Kate Jablonski. I was particularly struck by her choreography to the song "Off the Rails". It would be greatly appreciated if you left a comment saying what you thought of the dance. Kate Jablonksi also has a company for young dancers that you can check out here. See you Monday!

Turnout Blues

2010-07-13T18:42:00.001-06:00

This is my last week of dance for the summer, I can't believe it has flown by so fast. One of the things I wanted to talk about today is strengthening your hips and turnout. Some people are born with 180 degree turnout, and how I envy them! But, for the rest of us unfortunate souls, we have to work towards that 180 degrees. If you want to see how far is your turnout, stand up with your toes facing in front of you. Without moving your heels, try moving your toes to first position. How far they can go out is your turnout. One of the most important things I would like to remind you is to not force your turnout. This will give you a injuries in your knees, hips, as well as tendon damage. The turnout requires flexible hip joints and the muscles around the hip joint to be limber. Here are some ways to stretch that area, the last two were suggested by Rebecca.

A center split with your stomach to the ground is a goal to have. There is a reason this is the hardest split to achieve, it is also working on your turnout! Practice this as much as possible, and I know your turnout will improve.
The "frog" position is another way to open up your hips more. It is basically the butterfly stretch on your stomach, and is more effective.
Go to class! Doing exercises like rond de jambe en l'air and holding your leg as high as you can a la second will strengthen your hips so you can hold your turnout.
Try practicing at a wall. Take turns, one foot at a time, by pressing the inside of your foot against the bottom of the wall.
Lying on your back, lift your leg up, and turn it in and out.

If you know any other ways to help your turnout, leave a comment, I'd be happy to add it to the list. Oh, and I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, my internet was down :)

Venting and Olga

2010-07-08T20:00:00.002-06:00

Hello bloggers.Today I am a bit sad and discouraged. I am going to have to start paying for my dance classes, most of it anyways. You see, level 3 in the fall will be $160, and my parents agreed to pay this much until the end of high school. Level 4 is $190, level 5 $210, level 6 $260, and level 7 and 8 $300. So, with school and dance almost every night coming up, I will have to work on weekends. I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem? It seems all odds are against me, but I will prevail! On another note, I wish I could balance on my retire releve! (also known as passe releve). I know I already did a post on this, but it is just irritating me and I need to vent. I have to have to have to get it. It is essential for pirouettes and balance for pointe! I suppose I will be practicing it every day now. Enough about me! I have decided for this post to introduce you to someone I have discovered. I think I will do one of these now an then :)
Olga Preobrajenska
In 1871 Olga was born in St Petersburg. She studied at the Imperial Ballet School taught by Petipa, Ivanov and Anna Johansson, and later Cecchetti and Beretta. After graduating she joined the Mariinsky Theatre, and became a soloist in 1896 and a prima ballerina in 1900. Her best roles were in Coppelia, Raymonda, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille mal gardee and Don Quixote. In 1914 she taught in St Petersburg and two of her students were Danilova and Vaganova. In 1921 she left to teach in Milan, London, Buenos Aires, Berlin, and ended up settling in Paris in 1923. For 40 years she taught in her studio at the Sally Wacker to dancers like Baronova, Toumanova, and Youskevitch.

So that's Olga! I wish I could find a video on her but... this was a long time ago. See you all Monday.

Read it right

2010-07-04T10:34:00.004-06:00

Hey Guys! So Trisha requested that I talk about some books and such I recommend for dancers, especially beginners. If you have anything to add, just leave a comment :)

Steps in Ballet by: Thalia Mara

I own this book and find it extremely helpful for beginners in ballet. It has basic exercises at the barre, basic center exercises, and basic allegro steps. It has pictures and descriptions to help you understand what needs to be done. I definitely recommend this!

The Ballet Companion by: Eliza Gaynor Minden

I also own this book, and it is almost thirty dollars, so if I were you I would buy it used on Amazon. That's what I did :) I feel like this book is basically informative of ballet as a whole. It talks about the history of it, major ballet schools, some technique, your body and keeping it injury free, pointe shoes, etc. Its great if you're really interested in ballet and need a little help on things. If you just want technique though, do not get this book.

High Performance Beauty by: Christine Dione

I personally don't find myself having an issue with performance makeup and hair, but if you would like some tips, I suggest this book. Not much more I can say about it, just that it is not a book for everyone :)

Diet for Dancers by: Robin Chmelar and Sally S. Fitt

I am definitely going to buy this book! It has great reviews, and when I was glancing through it at Barnes & Nobles, I found myself agreeing. It is the best guide for any dancer who wants to stay healthily thin. It is no secret that anorexia is a major issue with dancers because everyone wants a thin dancer. This book discusses weight control, differences in metabolism, body composition, recipes, and meal plans. Buy it!

The Perfect Pointe Book by: Lisa Howell

This is an e-book, and I'm sure I will get it once I am nearing en pointe training (level 4!). You can go to www.theperfectpointebook.com if you would like to buy it. This is kind of expensive to me ($47.77) for a book on helping you get to pointe, so don't buy it unless you are struggling even with your instructors help. It has a lot of tests and exercises for flexibility, feet strength, turnout, and balance. It really does sound like a big help if you have the money.

I hope this helps! Please leave a comment or email with suggestions on future blog posts :)

Pass into that passé

2010-07-02T16:03:00.005-06:00

Wow, I've been busy this week! I've decided starting next week I will post on Mondays and Thursdays. In ballet these past two weeks, I've found myself struggling with balance. I figure this is not an uncommon issue with dancers, especially if you're just starting out! I can do releves in fifth position just fine, but when it comes to passe in releve without the barre, I basically fall over. I know that part of having balanced releves is to have strong ankles, and a strong core. I would like to remind this to all dancers who are struggling with this! Balance takes practice, and it will come in time if you are faithful in going to class. You can of course practice at home too. One of the things my summer teacher Maria says is to remember to keep your "square" (your hips aligned with your shoulders making a square). So, don't sit into either of your hips, but pull up, and keep your abs nice and strong. Don't be discouraged! You will eventually find your balance with a little hard work.

First Post! Foot exercises!

2010-06-24T11:10:00.000-06:00

Hello :) I'm excited for having my first post, and I have dance tonight. I few weeks ago I discovered something that will rock your world, and your feet! Wonderful foot exercises that are great to do at home at least four times a week.

Sit on the floor with your legs stretched in front of you.

pointe your feet

lift your toes up to demi pointe

flex the foot

then do it backwards. (flex, demi pointe, pointe)

Do this about ten times, and if you want extra resistence use a thera band. It is important to have great looking and strong feet, especially for going onto pointe shoes.

<---Oh my! Look at those gorgeous feet!

I hope this helped you for preparing for dance, or if you're already enrolled, getting strong feet. If you have any tips or questions please leave a comment or email me.