Kristen Gillette December 8, 2014

Ballet Blog Roundup: Nutcracker Edition

(Note: Here’s a new feature I’m trying out–a round-up of ballet-related blog posts and news stories from around the web. Readers can add their own links, too!)

Ballet Blog Roundup: Nutcracker Edition

Listly by Kristen Gillette

What are some online dance-clothes stores that you like?

Dec 07, 2014 - adultbeginner.wordpress.com - 114

A reader asked if I could recommend some online dance clothes retailers that I like, And I was like, "Shopping! Gross! Who does that!" Ok not exactly, but I do have a not-shopping problem, which is that I think I will make myself about 98% more things than I ever do.

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It Came From Outer Space

Dec 07, 2014 - clarascoffeebreak.wordpress.com - 94

The Nutcracker's snow scene has its roots in - science fiction: "From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne first appeared in print in 1865. Verne was a pioneer of science fiction and his book is an adventure imagining humans' first journey into outer space. The story went on to inspire an...

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The Nimble Mouse: DIY Vintage Photo Effect Using Gimp...

Dec 07, 2014 - thenimblemouse.blogspot.com - 121

You may have noticed that on Picmonkey, if you want some of the really pretty effects, you have to pay. Which I have nothing against, at all. But sometimes, you just don't have the money to spend on little privileges, especially when you can easily do it yourself with a little effort.

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it's beginning to look a lot like...

Dec 07, 2014 - settingthebarreblog.com - 93

A relaxing Sunday morning spent washing toepads and sewing pointe shoes...ah, the joys of Nutcracker season; That special time of year where dancers everywhere exhibit a juggling act of contradictory feelings ranging from excitement to dread. For me, the anticipation of cracking nuts for the masses has always produced a perky nostalgia that can only accurately be...

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12 Days of SPLITSmas

Dec 07, 2014 - instagram.com - 93

To answer that, here is my holiday gift to you: 12 days of tips and tricks to get your splits!

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Know of a blog I should be reading? Let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Ballet Blog Roundup Leave a Comment

Kristen Gillette December 7, 2014

Some Updates–website update, the Nutcracker + Pointe!

So I’ve finally gotten around to doing some updates on the blog, mostly because I’ve been sick the past few days and haven’t made it to a ballet class or been able to go running. So I’ve done some messing around with a redesign to make stuff more readable and easier to find. Getting the studio stuff all in a line again is going to take a little bit longer…but we’re working on it.

On to ballet updates:

Although I’m feeling like crap for not having made it to a class since before Thanksgiving, things are going well. I’m so happy I get to learn choreography to Nutcracker music since I missed all of that last year thanks to my injury. Recently, I’ve also started doing some pre-pointe work again. I wish I had an awesome picture to share here, but I don’t. I’ll have to take one before the holidays start-up again.

HQ and I have also recently joined a gym, so hopefully I’ll get to improve my cardio more (since it really sucks right now).

Share your lovely ballet updates with me!

(PS sending out a round of emails this morning to those who submitted to be featured on the site!)

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog Tagged With: ballerina profiles, ballet, Blog, pointe 5 Comments

Kristen Gillette October 24, 2014

Beginner Danseur Profile: Don Wilson

This week’s profile is of Don Wilson, one of my classmates at Philly Dance Fitness who started at our studio 6 months ago. Read more about him below:

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

6 months ago I began taking Beginner 1 at Philly Dance Fitness.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No, but wish I had!

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

There are SO many reasons… For starters, I love to dance! Working at a desk most days, it’s nice to have a fun form of exercise. We men also tend to be a little too stiff in our general movements, so another goal was to move more fluidly and gracefully in everyday life. With only the reasons above, any dance probably would have been great but there’s just something about ballet that’s therapeutic. It’s so graceful, requires so much strength and concentration that it’s impossible to be thinking about problems at work or home when taking the class or practicing at home.

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: ballet, Dan Wilson, danseur Leave a Comment

Kristen Gillette October 20, 2014

Things Have Been A Little Crazy Around Here…

…but I’ve still been going to ballet, more than I used to. I just haven’t had time to write about it. But it’s been going really well. I’ve finally been able to go to class consistently, which has made me feel a lot stronger than I have been. I also finally feel like I’m starting to get some of my flexibility back.

My feet still seem really weak — although my calves seem really strong — so I really need to keep working on therabanding and other foot strengthening exercises.

I haven’t really been running as much, besides a race and a fun run in late September and early October. Here’s a photo from the fun run on a new boardwalk on the river here:

I plan on starting to run more now that things are slowing down a bit and recent things have given me a bit more of inspiration to start running some more, including the boardwalk opening and reading What I Think About When I Think About Running by Haruki Murakami. I plan on starting super slow again, to be extra careful.

Other things we’ve been up to:

A trip to the Baltimore aquarium where my friend got engaged:

Working a fair for college students with work:

Art Museum trip with my friends (channeling Rocky here):

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Etc., Running Tagged With: ballet, Baltimore aquarium, foot strengthening, theraband Leave a Comment

Kristen Gillette September 27, 2014

#ActiveNationDay is Tomorrow!

Sponsored Post: I was given a product (a bracelet) in exchange for this post.

Active Nation Day a worldwide day of movement created in 2012 by Lorna Jane to help women live an authentic and active life.

Tomorrow, September 28, Lorna Jane will be hosting events all over the world, where everyone can learn and take part in a specially choreographed fitness routine (find them here). There’s no location by me, but I have a pretty active day already, with a 5K in the morning!

Lorna Jane also has an app available on iTunes and Google Play.

There’s also a contest:

To inspire every woman, everywhere to be active every day. The Next Step Starts With You! Show us how you do your #LJMOVE for your chance to win a $1000 Lorna Jane gift card!

How to get involved:

DO THE #LJMOVE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, film your move or take a photo (see the video below)
UPLOAD your video or photo to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook
HASHTAG #LJMOVE #ACTIVENATIONDAY
INSPIRE OTHERS and tag a sporty sister to do the move too!

Sponsored Post: I was given a product (a bracelet) in exchange for this post.

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: Active Nation Day, Lorna Jane Leave a Comment