What happens when ballet boys turn into cheerleaders...
What happens when ballet boys turn into Beyonce...
What happens when ballet boys (and girls) turn into Soulja Boy...
If anyone is reading this blog: Sorry I havn't posted in a LONG time! School and dance take up so much time! But even if I don't post often, I will keep up this blog as best I can throughout the year (and maybe longer!).
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Creating & Stretching your Dance Schedule
So getting back to school has reminded me of something...homework really sucks. The hours in the day get really busy really quickly with dance, school, and the dreaded homework (not to mention sleeping, eating, and other life functions). So with so few hours in a day, how do you decide how many to devote to ballet?
Answer the following questions to choose your dance schedule!
How much money are you willing to spend on dance?
-Take into consideration the cost per class, the cost of costumes, supplies, etc.
Want to dance more then you can afford?
-Choose a studio with the lowest cost per class.
-Get a job as a teacher helper at the studio, or just a regular job somewhere else.
How much time do you need for school work?
-Take into consideration amount of homwork, tests, hours of school, etc. Dance is important, but unless you're becoming a professional, school comes first.
Want to take more dance than school work allows?
-Bring your homework to the studio and do it between classes.
-Use free periods at school to study & do work.
-If you can schedule frees at the end of the day so you have time after school to do work before dance.
-Skip a class every once in a while if you have a test/project coming up the next day.
How many classes does the studio offer?
-If you want to take just ballet and they only offer it once a week, that's all you can take.
Still want to take more classes?
-Try going to multiple studios. Just make sure recitals don't overlap.
-Try taking supplement classes. Technique, stretching, core conditioning, yoga, etc. will all help ballet preformance.
-Try taking related classes. Lyrical, Modern, and Jazz especially use ballet elements.
How much relaxation/break time do you need?
-Is dance all you want to do all the time? Or do you have many other interests? Prioritize.
Want to dance 24/7 but don't want to crash?
-Take at least one day per week as a break day. You need to rejuvinate.
-Take free periods at school to just chill with your friends.
-Don't schedule dance around your favourite TV show.
What are your goals?
-To just have fun? To become advanced? To be a professional? Schedule for your needs.
Remember...
-If your just having fun, schedule as many classes as you want.
-If you want to become advanced, schedule multiple times per week.
-If you want to become professional, dance as much as possible (and still healthy).
So hopefully now you have a better idea on what you want from your dance schedule. Also, for you die-hard dancers, hopefully some of these tips helped you to expand a big dance schedule.
Bye for now, Ballerinas!
Answer the following questions to choose your dance schedule!
How much money are you willing to spend on dance?
-Take into consideration the cost per class, the cost of costumes, supplies, etc.
Want to dance more then you can afford?
-Choose a studio with the lowest cost per class.
-Get a job as a teacher helper at the studio, or just a regular job somewhere else.
How much time do you need for school work?
-Take into consideration amount of homwork, tests, hours of school, etc. Dance is important, but unless you're becoming a professional, school comes first.
Want to take more dance than school work allows?
-Bring your homework to the studio and do it between classes.
-Use free periods at school to study & do work.
-If you can schedule frees at the end of the day so you have time after school to do work before dance.
-Skip a class every once in a while if you have a test/project coming up the next day.
How many classes does the studio offer?
-If you want to take just ballet and they only offer it once a week, that's all you can take.
Still want to take more classes?
-Try going to multiple studios. Just make sure recitals don't overlap.
-Try taking supplement classes. Technique, stretching, core conditioning, yoga, etc. will all help ballet preformance.
-Try taking related classes. Lyrical, Modern, and Jazz especially use ballet elements.
How much relaxation/break time do you need?
-Is dance all you want to do all the time? Or do you have many other interests? Prioritize.
Want to dance 24/7 but don't want to crash?
-Take at least one day per week as a break day. You need to rejuvinate.
-Take free periods at school to just chill with your friends.
-Don't schedule dance around your favourite TV show.
What are your goals?
-To just have fun? To become advanced? To be a professional? Schedule for your needs.
Remember...
-If your just having fun, schedule as many classes as you want.
-If you want to become advanced, schedule multiple times per week.
-If you want to become professional, dance as much as possible (and still healthy).
So hopefully now you have a better idea on what you want from your dance schedule. Also, for you die-hard dancers, hopefully some of these tips helped you to expand a big dance schedule.
Bye for now, Ballerinas!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Leotard Woes: Feeling Lumpy, Bumpy and Grumpy?
A lot of teens feel uncomfortable in the classic leotard and tights. The purpose of this unform is to hug your body so it can be seen while you dance. However, for this same reason, some girls are bound to feel a little self-conscious.
Well, worry no more! Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable and look great! If you see a *** then that means this tip works even for girls who have a super strict dress code (black cami leo, pink tights, no exceptions).
(1) Tips for Arms
Not a fan of your arms? O maybe you just want a little more coverage in that area? Try a leotard with a sleeve instead of a camisole leotard. Sleves come short, 3/4 length, and in full. A few examples are shown below.
(2) Tips for your Butt & Thighs
Too bootyliscous for your leotard? Or just a little self-conscious? Try dance shorts or ballet skirt over your leo. In ballet these items should generally be kept short, but still do the trick. See some example below.
***(3) Tips for your Tummy
This one is simple. For a more defined waist and tighter tummy simply pull your tights up over your belly button. They suck in your tummy and the elastic creates a more noticible waist.
(4) Tips for your Torso and Neck
This one makes your whole torso appear more slender. Buy a leotar with princess seams, in a dark color or black, and with a V-neck to elongate the neck (long necks are prefered on professional ballerinas). See the examples below, all come in other colors.
***(5) Overall Tip
Carry yourself like a ballerina. Strong core, shoulders down, straight back, chin up. Be graceful and confident. You look 1000x better and will get props from your teacher for your improved performance :).
Well, worry no more! Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable and look great! If you see a *** then that means this tip works even for girls who have a super strict dress code (black cami leo, pink tights, no exceptions).
(1) Tips for Arms
Not a fan of your arms? O maybe you just want a little more coverage in that area? Try a leotard with a sleeve instead of a camisole leotard. Sleves come short, 3/4 length, and in full. A few examples are shown below.
(2) Tips for your Butt & Thighs
Too bootyliscous for your leotard? Or just a little self-conscious? Try dance shorts or ballet skirt over your leo. In ballet these items should generally be kept short, but still do the trick. See some example below.
***(3) Tips for your Tummy
This one is simple. For a more defined waist and tighter tummy simply pull your tights up over your belly button. They suck in your tummy and the elastic creates a more noticible waist.
(4) Tips for your Torso and Neck
This one makes your whole torso appear more slender. Buy a leotar with princess seams, in a dark color or black, and with a V-neck to elongate the neck (long necks are prefered on professional ballerinas). See the examples below, all come in other colors.
***(5) Overall Tip
Carry yourself like a ballerina. Strong core, shoulders down, straight back, chin up. Be graceful and confident. You look 1000x better and will get props from your teacher for your improved performance :).
Friday, August 21, 2009
Be An Imaginary Puppet - QUICK TIP
This quick tip should help you improve your posture, balance, and turn-out. And all the materials you need is the power of your mind. I know, I know, I didn't believe it would work at first either. But the next time your in class try it out and watch the magic happen.
-For improved posture and highly improved balance, picture a string hanging from the ceiling coming out of the top of your head. It's pulling you straight up.
-For improved plie turnout picture two strings coming from your upper inner thighs pulling them forward. Do the plie while making sure your knees are over your toes, and keep this image in mind.
Hopefully these quick tips will work as well for you as they did for me. Good luck dancing, my ballerina puppets!
-For improved posture and highly improved balance, picture a string hanging from the ceiling coming out of the top of your head. It's pulling you straight up.
-For improved plie turnout picture two strings coming from your upper inner thighs pulling them forward. Do the plie while making sure your knees are over your toes, and keep this image in mind.
Hopefully these quick tips will work as well for you as they did for me. Good luck dancing, my ballerina puppets!
Friday, August 14, 2009
I Found Inspiration!
Sorry for the lack of posts...vacation & dance!! You know!
Anyway, I found this video and it inspired me. I thought you guys would like it too! It's a fellow late-starter who is encouraging others. Well, you'll see it for yourselves, check it out!
Anyway, I found this video and it inspired me. I thought you guys would like it too! It's a fellow late-starter who is encouraging others. Well, you'll see it for yourselves, check it out!
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Bun for Your Hair Type
Short? Long? Curly? Straight? Or anything in between?
Not all hair type are the same, so why should all ballet buns be the same? Find the perfect ballet bun for you!
Long Hair: your hair is ideal for the classic ballet bun!
You Need: hair bands, water spray bottle, hair pins, bun net, comb or brush, hair spray.
*If your hair is curly or wavy, you may want to dampen your hair with a spray bottle filled with water. (see photo below)
-If you have thinner or stright hair, comb through to remove knots. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may prefer a brush.
-Gather your hair neatly into a pony tail, secure with a hair band the same color of your hair.
-Twist your pony tail to make a rope. (see photo below)
-Coil rope around to form bun. (see photo below)
-Tuck end of rope under bun.
-Use hair pins to secure bun in place.
*If your hair is think or curly, use wider bobby pins. If it is straight or thin, use leaner bobby pins.
-Spray over bun and whole head. Have someone else do this for you and cover your eyes. (see photo below)
-Cover bun in a bun net and wrap around several times if needed.
*If your bun sticks out too far, take out bobby pins and cover with bun net first, then squish it closer to the head and re-pin it over the net.
-Add any accesories if wanted :)
Medium Hair: If your hair is not long enough to coil around into a bun but long enough to make a pony-tail, your hair is medium length!
You Need: hair bands, water spray bottle, hair pins, bun net, comb or brush, hair spray.
*If your hair is curly or wavy, you may want to dampen your hair with a spray bottle filled with water. (see photo below)
-If you have thinner or stright hair, comb through to remove knots. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may prefer a brush.
-Gather your hair neatly into a pony tail, secure with a hair band the same color of your hair.
You have TWO options from here...
If your class is less strict, just go with the short ponytail. But if your teacher is more strict, the follow the rest of the steps.
-From the center of the pony, push your hair back against your head and pin into place. The end result shoul be a circle of hair with it's center as your pony. (see my sorry excuse for a photo below)
- Secure with hairspray, then wrap your bun net several times around your "bun".
-Add any accessories if wanted :)
Short Hair If you can't put your hair up in a ponytail, you have short hair!
You Need: hair bands, water spray bottle, hair pins, bun net, comb or brush, hair spray.
*If your hair is curly or wavy, you may want to dampen your hair with a spray bottle filled with water. (see photo below)
-If you have thinner or stright hair, comb through to remove knots. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may prefer a brush.
-Get hair out of your face with a headband, a soft headband is preferable for dance. (see photo below)
-Pin back strays with hair pins & apply hairspray to keep in place.
-Apply accessories if wanted :)
Not all hair type are the same, so why should all ballet buns be the same? Find the perfect ballet bun for you!
Long Hair: your hair is ideal for the classic ballet bun!
You Need: hair bands, water spray bottle, hair pins, bun net, comb or brush, hair spray.
*If your hair is curly or wavy, you may want to dampen your hair with a spray bottle filled with water. (see photo below)
-If you have thinner or stright hair, comb through to remove knots. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may prefer a brush.
-Gather your hair neatly into a pony tail, secure with a hair band the same color of your hair.
-Twist your pony tail to make a rope. (see photo below)
-Coil rope around to form bun. (see photo below)
-Tuck end of rope under bun.
-Use hair pins to secure bun in place.
*If your hair is think or curly, use wider bobby pins. If it is straight or thin, use leaner bobby pins.
-Spray over bun and whole head. Have someone else do this for you and cover your eyes. (see photo below)
-Cover bun in a bun net and wrap around several times if needed.
*If your bun sticks out too far, take out bobby pins and cover with bun net first, then squish it closer to the head and re-pin it over the net.
-Add any accesories if wanted :)
Medium Hair: If your hair is not long enough to coil around into a bun but long enough to make a pony-tail, your hair is medium length!
You Need: hair bands, water spray bottle, hair pins, bun net, comb or brush, hair spray.
*If your hair is curly or wavy, you may want to dampen your hair with a spray bottle filled with water. (see photo below)
-If you have thinner or stright hair, comb through to remove knots. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may prefer a brush.
-Gather your hair neatly into a pony tail, secure with a hair band the same color of your hair.
You have TWO options from here...
If your class is less strict, just go with the short ponytail. But if your teacher is more strict, the follow the rest of the steps.
-From the center of the pony, push your hair back against your head and pin into place. The end result shoul be a circle of hair with it's center as your pony. (see my sorry excuse for a photo below)
- Secure with hairspray, then wrap your bun net several times around your "bun".
-Add any accessories if wanted :)
Short Hair If you can't put your hair up in a ponytail, you have short hair!
You Need: hair bands, water spray bottle, hair pins, bun net, comb or brush, hair spray.
*If your hair is curly or wavy, you may want to dampen your hair with a spray bottle filled with water. (see photo below)
-If you have thinner or stright hair, comb through to remove knots. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may prefer a brush.
-Get hair out of your face with a headband, a soft headband is preferable for dance. (see photo below)
-Pin back strays with hair pins & apply hairspray to keep in place.
-Apply accessories if wanted :)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Perfect Pirouette! 3 QUICK TIPS
This post isn't going to teach you the pirouette basics-- learn these from a teacher in class.
But what it will do is help you go that extra mile (or at least that extra turn!). Hopefully these quick tips will help both the struggling ballerina to land that first pirouette and the more advanced ballerina get that 4th rotation down.
Make that spot spot-on: A messy spot will throw you off completely, keep it controlled and focused onto one object (a mark on the wall, your eyes in the mirror, etc.) A spot done correctly should keep you from being dizzy as you turn.
Tighten Up: Squeeze your stomach muscles! It will help you stay centered as you turn. Another little secret... clenching your butt also really helps!
Higher, not Faster: Pretend there is a string on the top of your head, pulling you up towards the ceiling. If you focus on going up, you will actually be able to do more rotations than if you focus on going fast.
Now it's time for your turn, literally! Try it out! Could you get another turn in than usual with one of these tips? Or did you do worse than usual? Leave me a comment and tell me if they worked!
But what it will do is help you go that extra mile (or at least that extra turn!). Hopefully these quick tips will help both the struggling ballerina to land that first pirouette and the more advanced ballerina get that 4th rotation down.
Make that spot spot-on: A messy spot will throw you off completely, keep it controlled and focused onto one object (a mark on the wall, your eyes in the mirror, etc.) A spot done correctly should keep you from being dizzy as you turn.
Tighten Up: Squeeze your stomach muscles! It will help you stay centered as you turn. Another little secret... clenching your butt also really helps!
Higher, not Faster: Pretend there is a string on the top of your head, pulling you up towards the ceiling. If you focus on going up, you will actually be able to do more rotations than if you focus on going fast.
Now it's time for your turn, literally! Try it out! Could you get another turn in than usual with one of these tips? Or did you do worse than usual? Leave me a comment and tell me if they worked!
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