March 13, 2014

Frozen Peaz Review

Disclaimer: Frozen Peaz provided me with a discount code for 30 percent off to purchase this product for review.

As someone who has struggled with shin splints and stress fractures, I’m always constantly icing my legs after any type of activity (running, ballet, etc.) as part of my regular recovery routine. Your typical ice pack makes it difficult to target a specific area (especially on my legs) and tends to lose its cool pretty quickly.

So when I first heard of Frozen Peaz, I knew I had to try them out. They’re flexible hot and cold wraps that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes depending on what your need is. They’re a bit on the pricey side, but totally worth it.

Here’s a little bit of information about them via their website:

The secret to the performance of FrozenPeaz® packs is the unique Clear Ice™ Solution. Unlike gel based beads and pearls, the VirtualPeaz™ in FrozenPeaz packs won’t break down with frequent usage. And unlike colored gel packs, the VirtualPeaz are floating in a non-toxic Clear Ice Solution that is free of preservatives, petroleum-based products, and animal by-products. The ingredients in the Clear Ice Solution are 100% natural! So natural that they are certified by the Natural Products Association (NPA).

Frozen Peaz

My Frozen Peaz arrived super quickly (they ship via Amazon Prime, too, if you’ve got it) and I was surprised to find that they were pretty heavy–a lot heavier than I expected, and a fair amount heavier than your typical ice pack. I ordered a single large wrap for my shins/calves.

I’ve been using the Frozen Peaz ice pack for about a month now and its the only ice pack I’ll use now. It stays colder than most other packs (I can get at least 20 minutes in on each leg at a time) and conforms to my legs really well (ignore my messy bedroom, I had just gotten home from class):

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The only cons I really have are a) they are heavy and therefore tend to fall down if I try to get up and move around and b) they don’t conform to my calves (from underneath) as much as a would like. They still work better than anything else I’ve tried.

Frozen Peaz has been nice enough to offer 15% to all my readers if they use the code “Ballet.”

How do you deal with ballet-related injuries?

Filed Under: Ballet, Info, Outside Class, Reviews, Running Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
March 12, 2014

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday Misty Copeland Book Signing

HQ and I met Misty Copeland last Sunday at her book signing on Sunday, as part of a present to myself for two years of ballet classes.

Here’s some photos:

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I plan on sharing more about what I thought about the book and meeting her later!

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment
March 11, 2014

Taking Class in a New Ballet Studio

I’ve only taken ballet classes in a handful of different studios since I started ballet almost two years ago now.

Philly Dance Fitness recently started holding classes in a new studio in Center City Philadelphia. Once the studio was finally overhauled with new floors and wall barres, they started offering a Beginner II ballet class there (and they’ll offer another one in a couple of weeks).

I was super excited for my first class there, especially I wasn’t able to make it to the previous night’s ballet class because of work.  The new studio is also super close to where I live and I can walk to class in about 20 minutes.

Even though I was excited, I was still a little nervous. While not as nerve-wracking as attending a class at a new studio with a new instructor and new ballerinas, I was still nervous as to what the new studio would be like. When I first got there, I went to the wrong place (PDF classes are upstairs while there’s a store front downstairs). Luckily,  I was quickly directed to the right place.

I was a little bit late, so I had to quickly throw on my legwarmers and slippers, which helped to distract me from my nerves a little bit.

It was a little weird working off a wall barre (at the other studio, we have portable barres), especially since they were a bit higher than I was used to. A corner of the room was blocked off for storage, which made organizing ourselves in the room a little difficult. Other than that, things went relatively smoothly. I’m excited to keep taking classes there, as well as test out the beginner class on Mondays.

Here’s some photos from our first class:

Post by Philly Dance Fitness.
Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class, Info Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
March 10, 2014

How Does an Adult Beginner Break in Pointe Shoes Safely?

bend that shankWhen I started pointe class last fall, I had no idea how to break in pointe shoes. Of course I heard of people bending the shank, banging the shoe on the floor, hammering or standing on the box and even slamming a shoe in a door frame. Remember the montage of dancers breaking in their shoes in the movie Center Stage? Since I didn’t know what I was doing, I knew that trying one of these methods was a surefire way to break (not break in) my pointe shoes.

On the first day of class, my instructor had us put on the pointe shoes and walk, then run around in demi-pointe. Although I felt like I was shuffling around in wooden shoes, I knew this was the first step to actually breaking in the shoes … I just couldn’t imagine my feet being strong enough and lasting long enough to break them in successfully. I felt more discouraged when I releved – my feet looked like tiny stilts.

A bit depressed and embarrassed, I lamented about my first class to my neighbor, a ballet dancer who performed the Sugarplum Fairy role in a professional DC-area Nutcracker production just 8 months after having twins. “Oh … maybe I’m in over my head. Maybe I’m not ready. Maybe I shouldn’t even be trying pointe,” I sighed.

She scoffed, “That was your first day! And you had on new pointe shoes! What do you expect?” She paused and thought for a moment. “Try this: wear your pointe shoes in the house, but put socks on over the shoes. Walk around the house in demi-pointe while doing your normal tasks, like the laundry, dishes, etc. with socks over the shoes.”

I wasn’t sure if this was going to work but tried it anyway. At least this method seemed safe (for me and my shoes) and built onto what I did in class. After a few of 20-minute sessions of walking around in pointe shoes in demi-pointe (that is all my feet could stand at the time), I felt like the shoes were not so stiff … and I felt less discouraged. Of course breaking in the shoes didn’t happen overnight and more exercises in class were needed to break them in, but I felt encouraged by this low-maintenance, convenient method that worked from my own body heat and foot strength. I liked this method because:

  •  the socks kept in body heat to warm up the shoes, which of course softened the shank and box, allowing them to mold to shape of my foot;
  • I wasn’t breaking or bending the shank in random places;
  • the socks protected the shoes from being scratched up;
  • I didn’t worry about slipping on the tile floors with the socks’ traction;
  • I was strengthening my feet at same time and;
  • this method took no time out of my day since I could incorporate it in my everyday activities – especially important for adult dancers!

By my second class, the shoes felt much more comfortable and I could bend and flex my foot to roll up and releve. I can’t say that walking around demi-pointe in pointe shoes covered with socks broke in my pointe shoes completely, but it was an encouraging start.

Filed Under: Ballet, Clothing and Gear, Info Tagged With: , , 2 Comments
March 7, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Cynthia of Young Wild & Free

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This week’s profile comes all the way from France:

Cynthia, who runs a blog over on Tumblr at http://alldayandallnight.tumblr.com/, shares why she started ballet at age 24.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started this year, in September, at age 24.

 Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No. I would have loved to but my mom was against the idea 🙁 I did rhythmic gymnastics as a kiddo but quit after a few years. I went back to gymnastics (artistic this time) for leisure at age 15 and never stopped. Now I help training the kids and use some time to work on my flexibility.

 Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

Last year I took a floor barre class. I thought I would never be able to start ballet so late, so I figured floor barre would be a way to get nearer the ballet world. I was quite anxious but the teacher was really nice, and it seems everyone there had wanted to take ballet classes but didn’t. I wasn’t able to attend it again this year, so I took my courage and asked if I could join a ballet class. The beginner’s class was only for kiddos, but she said I could definitely come to the advanced class. I did; and although the first classes were just a blur, I enjoyed it so much!

Where do you take classes?

I take classes, 2 hours twice a week, at a little studio in my hometown (near Paris, France).

 What is your favorite part about ballet?

(Can I say the male ballet dancers’ butts?) The grace of the dancers. And the costumes! Personally I feel like the hippopotamus in Fantasia but I’m working on it.

What is your least favorite part?

Turning. I really have bad upper/lower body coordination but my head… it doesn’t like to turn. And being behind in classes; the others all have years and years of practice, so sometimes I feel like I don’t belong here.

 Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

Probably my dance teacher. She’s really a great teacher, very nice – and beautiful ! She pushes us to our best. She believed I could perform a variation after only 4 months. And I did. I’m eager to see what we’ll do for the annual gala.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I simply love it, even though it’s hard sometimes – it’s really a dream come true, so I won’t let it go. And that my dance teacher believes in me. I’m shy and a negative person, so it helps to have someone acknowledging your improvements.

 Do you take any other dance classes?

No. But I’d love to learn other dances (like Irish dance or hula) !

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I’m a bookworm. And I love going to the museums. I’m also a student-teacher and would like to teach French abroad.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

No matter your age, your body shape, your flexibility… you can do it if you want it! What’s important is to do it with passion. Go dancers!

 Anything else you’d like to add?

If you’re willing to understand the basic moves and vocabulary before your first class, or even if you get lost at some point, you can find videos on youtube and stuff in books at the library. And of course, don’t hesitate to tell your dance teacher you didn’t understand.

 Do you have a blog?

Yes: www.alldayandallnight.tumblr.com

I blog about books, rugby, ballet, gymnastics, but mostly silly stuff and personal bits too.

 

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , 1 Comment