Hey everyone! I am so sorry for not posting! I've been super busy...I went to Hawaii for a two week vacation, and did three weeks of dance camp and have two more to go! It's crazy!
Anyways, I would really appreciate any ideas you have for articles...
Anything you want to know about, I would gladly post what I know. Okay, hope everyone is having a fantastic summer, and that you are having fun! Keep dancing!
Showing posts with label DANCE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DANCE. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Nutrition
Nutrition! We've all heard of it! And it's important, especially when you are a dancer! Us dancers burn off so many calories while dancing, it is unnecessary to stress too much about what you are putting in your mouth...as long as you keep dancing and/or work-out when you are on break! However, it is important to have just the right amount of nutrition; not too much, not too little.
The first tip I will give is eat breakfast! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is important that you eat it everyday!
The second tip I will give is to eat lots of carbohydrates and proteins!
Carbohydrates (my favorite):
Carbohydrates. Are amazing. The End.
hahaah It is so important for dancers like us to get carbs. I personally have no problem with this food group...
Some examples of carbs would be:
The first tip I will give is eat breakfast! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is important that you eat it everyday!
The second tip I will give is to eat lots of carbohydrates and proteins!
Carbohydrates (my favorite):
Carbohydrates. Are amazing. The End.
hahaah It is so important for dancers like us to get carbs. I personally have no problem with this food group...
Some examples of carbs would be:
- Bread products (bagels, bread, crackers)
- Fruit
- Pasta
- Rice and other grains
- Potato!
- Less healthy options––crazy, huh? These could be muffins, pancakes with syrup, chocolate, candy! Woah!
Some examples of proteins would be:
- Dairy products (cheese, milk, yogurt)
- Meat
- Fish
- Soybeans
- Grains
Now, what do I have to eat before class, rehearsal, and/or performance?
hmmm...good question. Have you ever been scrounging around for food before class? Wondering, what can I eat? I certainly have! I do it all the time! Before dance, you should eat something that will keep your energy high and keep your mind focused. You should eat something not too light, yet not too heavy. Good things to have can be:- fruits (not citrus fruits because they may upset your stomach)
- crackers (because they are light, but will hold you over)
Now, what do I stay away from?
All processed foods! Processed foods are bad for dancers (and people too!). It is important to try and stay away from eating processed foods as much as possible.
Here are just a few tips...more will come later! Thanks guys!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Choreography!
Hey everyone!
My dance school this summer is putting on a production, and they asked me to choreograph a number. I need help with song selection. It is going to be a contemporary piece, and I would love any suggestions that you have. HELP!
My dance school this summer is putting on a production, and they asked me to choreograph a number. I need help with song selection. It is going to be a contemporary piece, and I would love any suggestions that you have. HELP!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Stay hydrated!
With summer camp coming up, there is one very important thing to keep in mind...stay hydrated! You can never drink too much water. Water keeps your mind focused and your body energetic! So, make sure you bring a water bottle or two with you at all times during your day of dance camp! You'll need it!
Monday, June 14, 2010
My Story
Hey everyone!
I think that it is about time that I shared my story of how I started dance with you all! I started dancing almost ten years ago when I was probably around the age of four? My older sister, Stephanie dances as well, and my mom did too, when she was younger. I'd always go to Steph's performances and get so bored! I was more of the sporty type, believe it or not! haha But my mom still insisted that I try it. She signed me up for one contemporary and one ballet class at the local studio (the same one as Steph). After the first class, I wanted more! I fell in love with dance! I was so happy that she signed me up!
Now, my sister Stephanie is at college working towards her masters in art. I am still taking classes at the local studio, everyday per week.
So, thanks to Steph and my mom, my dream to go to Julliard! ...So, we'll see! Just maybe...
I think that it is about time that I shared my story of how I started dance with you all! I started dancing almost ten years ago when I was probably around the age of four? My older sister, Stephanie dances as well, and my mom did too, when she was younger. I'd always go to Steph's performances and get so bored! I was more of the sporty type, believe it or not! haha But my mom still insisted that I try it. She signed me up for one contemporary and one ballet class at the local studio (the same one as Steph). After the first class, I wanted more! I fell in love with dance! I was so happy that she signed me up!
Now, my sister Stephanie is at college working towards her masters in art. I am still taking classes at the local studio, everyday per week.
So, thanks to Steph and my mom, my dream to go to Julliard! ...So, we'll see! Just maybe...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
So You Think You Can Dance: Videos
Here are a couple of links to some of my favorite videos from SYTYCD! Enjoy!
Not Alone (Jeanine and Billy)
If It Kills Me (Jeanine and Jason)
Bleeding Love (Chelsie and Mark)
Whatcha Say (Ashleigh and Jakob)
Breast Cancer (Melissa and Ade)
Addiction/Gravity (Kayla and Kupono)
No Air (Katee and Joshua)
Solo (Brandon)
Not Alone (Jeanine and Billy)
If It Kills Me (Jeanine and Jason)
Bleeding Love (Chelsie and Mark)
Whatcha Say (Ashleigh and Jakob)
Breast Cancer (Melissa and Ade)
Addiction/Gravity (Kayla and Kupono)
No Air (Katee and Joshua)
Solo (Brandon)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Strength: Your Legs
Strength and flexibility come hand in hand. Even though it may seem like flexibility is everything, it's not. You need to be able to hold your legs up high using your muscles! Just like flexibility, strengthening your leg muscles takes time. It could take up to four weeks or even up to years or hard work.
In this post, we will focus on your leg muscles. During class, it is important that you always tighten your knees. This strengthens your muscle called the quadricep, or your thighs. This is what will hold your leg up high; it helps with extension. Another exercise to try are squats or grand pliés.
For your calves, relevés are the best thing to do. Whether you do them with plié or without, it is important that you do them nice and slow. Make sure that you keep your legs tight while you are doing this.
In dance, we use our hamstrings quite a bit when we jump. It is important to do lunges or leg lifts to strengthen them.
To work your inner leg muscles, lie on your back with your legs straight up in the air and your feet pointed. Switch them back and forth in fifth position. Do this ten times. Then move your legs down towards the floor a little. Do it again for ten times. Do this until they're almost touching the floor. This exercise also strengthens not only your inner leg muscles, but also your core!
Do this once a day, and you'll be good to go!
In this post, we will focus on your leg muscles. During class, it is important that you always tighten your knees. This strengthens your muscle called the quadricep, or your thighs. This is what will hold your leg up high; it helps with extension. Another exercise to try are squats or grand pliés.
For your calves, relevés are the best thing to do. Whether you do them with plié or without, it is important that you do them nice and slow. Make sure that you keep your legs tight while you are doing this.
In dance, we use our hamstrings quite a bit when we jump. It is important to do lunges or leg lifts to strengthen them.
To work your inner leg muscles, lie on your back with your legs straight up in the air and your feet pointed. Switch them back and forth in fifth position. Do this ten times. Then move your legs down towards the floor a little. Do it again for ten times. Do this until they're almost touching the floor. This exercise also strengthens not only your inner leg muscles, but also your core!
Do this once a day, and you'll be good to go!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Flexibility!
Extension is important when it comes to dance, ballet especially! We've all seen the end product, but how do we get there? How do we get to that?
How do I do that?
Like anything else you do in life, it takes time! Depending on how flexible you are now and how flexible you want to be, it could take anywhere from a month to a couple of years.
Some of the following stretches are good to do in your free time:
1. Lunges –– Stand in a good forth position with your right leg behind you. Lunge down. Try to straighten your right leg (or leg that is behind you) all the way so that it is not touching the ground. Don't lift your heel off the ground. Stay down there for thirty to sixty seconds. Then switch. Repeat four times on both sides.
2. Front splits –– Put one of your legs in front of you, and go down into a split. Try to straighten and turn out both of your legs. Try to stay squared, if you can. Stay here for one minute. Then come up and repeat on the other side. (If you can do all of this, stretch forward and back for thirty seconds.)
3. Straddle splits #1 –– Open your legs to the side. Take your right arm and stretch side to the left. Stay there for thirty seconds. Then, come back up, and stretch forward as much as you can. Stay here for one minute and then come back up. Then, take your left arm and stretch to the right. Stay there for thirty seconds. Then, stretch forward. Repeat this for four times.
4. Straddle splits #2 –– Open your legs up to the wall. Sit up straight. Push forward as much as you can. Stay here for five minutes and then stop. (Make sure you keep your legs straight!)
5. Straddle splits #3 –– Lie on your back, and put your legs up onto a wall. Then, let them go down into a straddle split. Gravity will pull it down. Stay here until it starts to hurt. (Not sort of hurt, really hurt!)
6. Use a stretcher from Discount Dance!
Here are a couple links:
Anaheim Ballet: 3 Steps: Instructional Stretching
Intermediate Ballet Dancing : How to Stretch before Dancing Ballet
Free Flexibility Video: 5-Minute Stretch Routine
If you do some of these stretches each day, you're only one step closer to the final product!
And, guess what? You not only need flexibility, but also strength! Stay in tuned for a whole article on strengthening your body!
How do I do that?
Like anything else you do in life, it takes time! Depending on how flexible you are now and how flexible you want to be, it could take anywhere from a month to a couple of years.
Some of the following stretches are good to do in your free time:
1. Lunges –– Stand in a good forth position with your right leg behind you. Lunge down. Try to straighten your right leg (or leg that is behind you) all the way so that it is not touching the ground. Don't lift your heel off the ground. Stay down there for thirty to sixty seconds. Then switch. Repeat four times on both sides.
2. Front splits –– Put one of your legs in front of you, and go down into a split. Try to straighten and turn out both of your legs. Try to stay squared, if you can. Stay here for one minute. Then come up and repeat on the other side. (If you can do all of this, stretch forward and back for thirty seconds.)
3. Straddle splits #1 –– Open your legs to the side. Take your right arm and stretch side to the left. Stay there for thirty seconds. Then, come back up, and stretch forward as much as you can. Stay here for one minute and then come back up. Then, take your left arm and stretch to the right. Stay there for thirty seconds. Then, stretch forward. Repeat this for four times.
4. Straddle splits #2 –– Open your legs up to the wall. Sit up straight. Push forward as much as you can. Stay here for five minutes and then stop. (Make sure you keep your legs straight!)
5. Straddle splits #3 –– Lie on your back, and put your legs up onto a wall. Then, let them go down into a straddle split. Gravity will pull it down. Stay here until it starts to hurt. (Not sort of hurt, really hurt!)
6. Use a stretcher from Discount Dance!
Here are a couple links:
Anaheim Ballet: 3 Steps: Instructional Stretching
Intermediate Ballet Dancing : How to Stretch before Dancing Ballet
Free Flexibility Video: 5-Minute Stretch Routine
If you do some of these stretches each day, you're only one step closer to the final product!
And, guess what? You not only need flexibility, but also strength! Stay in tuned for a whole article on strengthening your body!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Confidence is key.
Hello everyone!
Today's post is all about confidence, which is something that I think all of us dancers need more of! As dancers, we all strive to be the best and hope that someday, we get a solo or some important character in a ballet. However, how do we get there?
Now comes the hardest question of them all. Why is confidence so important? Well, have you ever had someone come up to you after a show, whether it was family, friends, dance teachers or instructors and/or just a complete stranger, and say "Good job!" How did it make you feel? When I get that, I feel pretty good inside! When somebody says good job to me, I want to work even harder and do even better than I did before. It boosts my self-esteem. And we all know what happens when you work harder...you do better! Maybe next time you have a show, invite some of your relatives or even a couple of your friends.
It is not only important for you to get complimented, but also that your dance friends/peers do too. At dance, it is important that you stay close and true to your friends. Trust me, I've learned from experience. Your friends and you are in it together, and you should always try to do the best you can to support them!
I hope this helps!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What's in your dance bag?
What's in your dance bag?
1. Extra leotard
2. Extra pair of tights
3. Shoes (pointe shoes, flat shoes, contemp shoes, tap shoes, jazz shoes, etc.)
4. Legwarmers (optional)
5. A pair of shorts (optional)
6. Shrug, sweater, sweatshirt (optional)
7. Hair pins
8. Band aids
9. Foot spray (optional)
10. Stitch kit (optional)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Turnout, turnout, turnout!
We all strive for it, we all want it. Now, how do we get there? Again, it takes time.
Technique is a crucial part to ballet. You need it. Some dancers are born with great amounts of turnout, others have to work harder to achieve it, like me.
The good part to turnout is that you can exercise it, just like your flexibility and strength!
Some good stretches to do are the frog stretch (lying on either your back or front). Wall straddle splits also help with turnout as well. Lie on your back, and put your legs up onto a wall. Then, let them go down into a straddle split. Gravity will turn your legs out to the side.
It is important that when you do these exercises, you rotate from your hips rather than from your knees. Rotating from your knees is a bad habit, not to mention bad for your body. You should try to break this habit early on, before you get into a higher level class or even core/company.
Good luck! Hope this helps!
Technique is a crucial part to ballet. You need it. Some dancers are born with great amounts of turnout, others have to work harder to achieve it, like me.
The good part to turnout is that you can exercise it, just like your flexibility and strength!
Some good stretches to do are the frog stretch (lying on either your back or front). Wall straddle splits also help with turnout as well. Lie on your back, and put your legs up onto a wall. Then, let them go down into a straddle split. Gravity will turn your legs out to the side.
It is important that when you do these exercises, you rotate from your hips rather than from your knees. Rotating from your knees is a bad habit, not to mention bad for your body. You should try to break this habit early on, before you get into a higher level class or even core/company.
Good luck! Hope this helps!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Summer goals!
Summer is coming up, which means summer intensives/camps for most of you guys! It is important that during the summer you set one or two goals that are important for you. I love seeing my improvement from the beginning to the end! My summer goals are:
Remember, when setting your goals, you want to make sure it's measurable, and you can obtain it (it's not too difficult to do). You may want to set a date, in my case, it would be by the end of the summer. I hope this helps!
- Flexibility!
- Triple pirouttes!
- Core strengthening!
- Flexibility –– stretch a little each day
- Triple pirouttes –– try to not leave class without doing one on each side
- Core –– crunches, planks, etc.
Remember, when setting your goals, you want to make sure it's measurable, and you can obtain it (it's not too difficult to do). You may want to set a date, in my case, it would be by the end of the summer. I hope this helps!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Summer! That means dance camp!
Hey everyone!
Summer is almost here! We're almost done with school, and I am thrilled to be on summer vacation! No school work! wooohoo! However, summer also means dance camp! Dance camp is one of my favorite times of year, because you spend all day, everyday dancing. hahah well I have to go! I will write more...I promise! :)
Summer is almost here! We're almost done with school, and I am thrilled to be on summer vacation! No school work! wooohoo! However, summer also means dance camp! Dance camp is one of my favorite times of year, because you spend all day, everyday dancing. hahah well I have to go! I will write more...I promise! :)
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Pointe shoes: fitting, tips, and tricks!
Hello everybody! With the summer starting, many dance students will find their studio picking students to go on pointe! This is an exciting time in the student's ballet career, and is very important!
Before you go on pointe, some studios will require you to go to the doctors to make sure that you are strong enough. It is important for you to be strong so that you will not fall off of pointe or hurt yourself.
The next step to do...go to your local dance shop! :)
When you go to get your very first pair of pointe shoes, it is good to have the teacher come with you. This is so that they can see what pair of shoes they think will work best with your feet. All dancers' feet are different.
The person fitting you will give you different kinds of toe pads.
1. Gel
2. Lamb's wool
3. Ouch pouch
After they give you the toe pads that you find most comfortable, then they will give you the pointe shoes based on your feet! Exciting! There are many different brands of pointe shoes, as well as many different kinds! It can sometimes be very overwhelming!
After trying on lots of different pointe shoes, you will finally pick out the one that feels the best and looks the best on your feet.
Now, you need ribbons and elastics!
Ribbons & Elastics
When you get home, you should sew your pointe shoes. You shouldn't try them on at home...you should wait until you get to your dance studio so that you don't hurt yourself. Meanwhile, you should watch videos on youtube of how to tie your pointe shoes.
Anaheim Ballet Pointe Shoes Trying & Tips
Anaheim Ballet: Let's Talk Toe Shoes!!!
Some other accessories that could be useful are:
Jet glue –– Apply to the bottom of your shoes to make them last longer.
Stitch kit –– For sewing your ribbons and elastics.
Knot keepers –– For shows mostly, can be used during class; keep your ribbons from coming undone
Good luck! Hope this helps, and I will write more later!
Before you go on pointe, some studios will require you to go to the doctors to make sure that you are strong enough. It is important for you to be strong so that you will not fall off of pointe or hurt yourself.
The next step to do...go to your local dance shop! :)
When you go to get your very first pair of pointe shoes, it is good to have the teacher come with you. This is so that they can see what pair of shoes they think will work best with your feet. All dancers' feet are different.
The person fitting you will give you different kinds of toe pads.
1. Gel
2. Lamb's wool
3. Ouch pouch
After trying on lots of different pointe shoes, you will finally pick out the one that feels the best and looks the best on your feet.
Now, you need ribbons and elastics!
Ribbons & Elastics
When you get home, you should sew your pointe shoes. You shouldn't try them on at home...you should wait until you get to your dance studio so that you don't hurt yourself. Meanwhile, you should watch videos on youtube of how to tie your pointe shoes.
Anaheim Ballet Pointe Shoes Trying & Tips
Anaheim Ballet: Let's Talk Toe Shoes!!!
Some other accessories that could be useful are:
Jet glue –– Apply to the bottom of your shoes to make them last longer.
Stitch kit –– For sewing your ribbons and elastics.
Knot keepers –– For shows mostly, can be used during class; keep your ribbons from coming undone
Good luck! Hope this helps, and I will write more later!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Getting started!
Hey everybody!
Welcome to the blog, Dance, Dance, Dance! This is where everyone and anyone can come share their stories, and thoughts or problems about dance and/or life in general, as well as all any questions.
Click here to get to the Facebook link!
Because this is just getting started, please tell your friends! I will try to post as often as I can! :)
Welcome to the blog, Dance, Dance, Dance! This is where everyone and anyone can come share their stories, and thoughts or problems about dance and/or life in general, as well as all any questions.
Click here to get to the Facebook link!
Because this is just getting started, please tell your friends! I will try to post as often as I can! :)
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