November 15, 2013

#AdultBallerinas Can Dance!

ABP-logo

One of only three photos I’ve ever shared of me dancing.

We put in hours upon hours of dance a week and many of us take 3, 4 or 5 classes a week–yet we rarely share photos or videos of us actually doing it–myself included. That’s part of the reason I request photos of dancers when I interview them, so that readers can put a face to the dancer.

Kudos to those who already share photos AND videos of yourselves dancing, I deeply admire you. But I want to see more. We can encourage others to dance by sharing more and more photos and videos of us dancing, and I’d love to share them all on Adult Ballerina Project to show just how strong the adult ballerina community is!

Here’s how:

Starting Friday, November 29th (the day after Thanksgiving) post your photos and videos of you dancing (ballet or any other form of dance) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Vine using the hashtag #adultballerinas. Then each Friday until January 3rd, I’ll post a weekly recap of your photos and videos posted throughout the week.

Don’t have a social media account or prefer to e-mail photos? You’ll be able to e-mail photos to adultballerinaproject@gmail.com to participate too!

Not enough incentive yet? Over the next few weeks I’ll be looking for rewards to giveaway to those who participate, but for now I’m still on the hunt for prize ideas–if you have an idea of what would make a great prize or know someone who’d like to donate something for the contest, let me know!

Thank you to http://politefrivolity.blogspot.com/ for sparking the idea!

 

Filed Under: #adultballerinas campaign, Ballet, Etc. Tagged With: , , , , , 1 Comment
November 11, 2013

Dance Magazine’s 7 Deadly Sins

dancemagazineI’m a little bit ashamed to admit I’ve had to correct quite a few of Dance Magazine’s 7 Deadly Sins throughout my short time as a dancer–most notably rolling my feet in when forcing my turnout (a big no-no, I know) and generally because I have flat feet.

I’ve also given into hyperextension before I really knew better than not to do so. Thanks to Physical Therapy, I’m slowly but surely working to correct both of these bad habits. I’ve also used too much tension, as well, as I get nervous about some things in ballet class like small group work.

Which of these haven’t I dealt with?! I’ve been stuck in a rut, too–although that’s been an easier “habit” (if it even really is a “habit”) to break.

How have you been working on breaking old habits or avoided getting stuck in a dance rut?

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment
November 4, 2013

New Stretch Videos via Claire Farmer

image003Claire Farmer, who recently wrote a guest post for ABP, is now offering stretch classes online for roughly $3 for 20 minutes.

Her first class is now available for £2, and is compatible with iOS on the go! The introduction video is available for free. She hopes to encourage people to stretch safely and effectively, instead of just stretching for just two minutes at the end of the workout.

She’s now teaching stretching classes to encourage setting aside 20-30 mins dedicated just to stretching.  Each week will become progressively more advanced to allow you to reach your goals for improved flexibility. The first session is just 20 minutes, later session may go up to 30 minutes and cost £3.

You can find the videos here:

Stretch Introduction

 Stretch Class Week 1

The videos will soon be available on her website, www.clairefarmer.co.uk, as well.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Please consult your doctor before participating in any physical activity/stretching. If you have been advised that you can stretch please go gently and stop if you feel any pain.

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , , 2 Comments
October 28, 2013

Ballet Shoes and Arch Supports

Thank-you so much to everyone who commented on my post last week on FOMO with words of encouragement! I didn’t make it to ballet on Thursday (I was sore and feeling sick), but eventually made it on Saturday again. I changed my schedule with my PT this morning so that I’ll hopefully be able to go Monday and Friday and hopefully avoid being super sore again and be able to get back on track and not have to miss any ballet classes because everything hurts too much.

In other good news, I seem to finally have found arch supports for my sneakers/other shoes that finally seem to not slip around everywhere. I also wore elastic arch supports to ballet, and even though my arches were killing me (like they have been since my return to ballet) during the beginning of ballet, I feel like they’re helping me to overpronate less. If they seem to continue to help, I’m looking at a couple of additional options for ballet shoe support:

MDM Adult “Intrinsic” Canvas Split-Sole Ballet Slipper

mb100_inset2These look like they have really good arch support and have great reviews, and they’re not too badly priced for an entire new set of slippers. Even though I just bought new shoes not too long ago, it wouldn’t be terrible if it helped save me some pain and bulk in my shoes from elastic arch supports

 

 

 

Dr. Roth Arch Band Supports

201fabsxAlthough these are about the same price as the slippers, they’re tempting because they could be worn with my current pair of slippers and pointe shoes (if I even ever wear pointe shoes again). They could even be worn around the house, in sneakers and with other shoes.

 

 

 

Do you have any experience with arch supports in ballet or tried one of these? Any recommendations for slippers with good arch support?

 

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Clothing and Gear, Info Tagged With: , , , 10 Comments
October 25, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Belén Aguilar of En Dehors Blog

1016598_10151678173097733_143461741_nThis week’s profile is of Belén Aguilar, who runs En Dehors Blog in both English and Spanish. Make sure to like her blog on Facebook too, because she updates there more frequently!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started Ballet when I was 18. And it was cause I had back problems and my doctor told me the best would be whether swimming or ballet. And I had a ballet academy just around the corner, and I started there. Till that time I have never been interested in ballet and less in taking ballet classes, but now I can’t live without Ballet!

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I did have taken dance lessons, but not ballet lessons. I danced my whole life Spanish dance and Flamenco, which has all the ballet technique of the arms and some steps.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

At first time I only thought that it would be good for my back health, but then I realized that it was good for my whole body, mind and soul. And now is my passion.

Where do you take classes?

I’m taking classes in Madrid (Spain) but I also took Ballet lessons in Leipzig (Germany, that was a really interesting experience, cause at the beginning I didn’t speak so much German, but it is not a problem if you wanna dance, and I actually adore dancing there. I think is a good experience to change sometimes your academy (summers, or periods of time) to learn about different people and to enrich yourself.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

My favorite part is when you feel that your body belongs to the music.

What is your least favorite part?

The en Dehor part…I find it so hard to get to that. It takes years and years of training, but without that Ballet wouldn’t be the same…

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

My ballet inspiration has always been Polina Seminova and also the girls who dance ballet with me, they’re such a hard workers and never give up.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I think my motivation is that I see the results of working hard.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I love languages, travelling and bakery.

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

If you are constant and make effort on what you really like, you’re gonna see the results, you just have to be really really patient and keep the hard work. But the most important thing is to enjoy. I think dance has to be a passion.

Do you have a blog?

Yes. But due to my work and studies I can’t write that much, but on my facebook page I try to update everything about my favorite ballerinas and their videos. I usually write in English and Spanish.

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment