October 1, 2013

Nominate a Friend (or Yourself) for ABP Profile of the Week!

I’m relatively certain I’ve contacted everyone who filled out my most recent form about being profiled on a Friday for Adult Ballerina Project. If you didn’t hear from me, check your spam (some people told me it ended up there) or send me another e-mail (info at adultballerinaproject dot com). I’m busy/doing 1000 different things at once, so just let me know if I’ve forgotten you somehow!

If you’d like to nominate someone you know (or nominating yourself is always welcome too!), please fill out the form below with their name, a way to contact them, and their website or blog if they have one. Feel free to nominate fellow beginner ballerinas, instructors, and even professional ballerinas!

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , Leave a Comment
September 26, 2013

Guest Post: Ballet for Body and Soul

So you’re on your way to your first ballet class, either ever, or in a good few years, and you’re feeling anxious, nervous, excited, a bit self conscious, wondering if it was a good idea at all. If you think this is just you feeling like this, you are wrong. Any dancer feels this at regular intervals, no matter how long they have been dancing. What sets us apart is that decision to walk through the door, embrace those feelings and do it anyway and the achievements that spawn from that first decision are what drives us on!

Dance, Ballet in particular, is not just good for your body, but also for your mind and soul. You learn to be comfortable with your own body, to feel graceful and beautiful, to meet like minded people and more often than not make friends for life.

If you are new to or returning to ballet you may feel frustrated to begin with as you try to master all the steps, or co-ordinate your arms and legs to move at the same time as you are trying to complete a port de bras and plies at the same time. Do not despair, it takes hard work and commitment but each week you will find something is slightly easier, you will remember a bit more and before you know it your arms/legs will be travelling to the right position without even needing to think about it.

On a psychological level this concentration also means that any other noise in your mind; what to cook for dinner, whether you’ve put the washing out; what time you need to pick the kids up, will all be quietened, allowing you that bit of peace in your day to calm your mind and just be present in your body. You will begin to notice every movement of your body, listen to what your body needs, both inside and outside the dance studio.

As a dancer myself, I have found dance to be hugely therapeutic. I am not dancing for the audience, for the other people in the class, I am dancing for myself, getting lost in the music and the movement. I have no doubt that with continued practice friends, family and colleagues will comment on how you are carrying yourself, not only in your physical stance but your persona. Ballet gives you grace in both body and mind!

—–

PurpleClaire started dance classes at the age of 5, taking classes in ballet, modern and jazz and continued until the age of 13.  After a short break from dance she then returned to dance at 16 with tap, contemporary, jazz and ballet and continued on to study BA (hons) Dance Studies at Roehampton University, London.  Claire has always been very interested in how dance can improve your health both mentally and physically for professional dancers and people new to dance.  She is currently studying Msc Dance Science at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London. Find out more about Claire at www.clairefarmer.co.uk and http://healthierdancers.blogspot.co.uk/

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , , , , 2 Comments
September 24, 2013

Blogtember: My Favorite Dancing and Running Fuel

Juggling work, ballet, running and more often means that I don’t have time to eat a meal before heading to ballet class or heading out for a run–plus my stomach doesn’t tolerate exercise well if there’s any significant amount of food in it. So here’s a few of my favorite snacks and running fuels that I use to give me some energy when I don’t have time for a full meal:

Clif Shot Bloks

Bloks_CranRazz-12-10

These are my favorite to munch on before a run (and sometimes before dance class) especially in the morning when my stomach can’t tolerate a whole lot of food. I usually just munch on 2-3 before heading out the door for ballet class or 30 minutes before a run. I love that these usually run me about $2 for 2-3 uses.

 Real Food Barre

Real-Food-Barre

Although these are on the pricier side ($2.50 a piece), I still pick some up occasionally at my local Whole Foods. Cinnamon pecan is my favorite flavor. Check out the interview I did with the creators, Julia and Aaron to learn more about how they created this bar specifically for dancers.

LaraBars

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These have become my cheaper alternative to Real Food Barres, although I haven’t quite found a replacement flavor for the Cinnamon Pecan that I love so much.

Luna Bars

luna-bar-blueberry-bliss-thumb

Blueberry Luna Bars are my absolute favorite (although they can sometimes be a little bit tricky to find). These often end up serving as my breakfast on the go even if I’m not running or going to ballet class that day. I also love their cookie dough protein bar.

 What snacks do you eat before ballet  class or a run?

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Reviews, Running Tagged With: , , , , 3 Comments
September 18, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Ballerina Turtle

Source: http://www.pbase.com/image/137957478

Source: http://www.pbase.com/image/137957478

Filed Under: Ballet, Etc. Tagged With: , 1 Comment
September 16, 2013

Stretching Series: Knees and Legs

WOW! So it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted here. I want to start this stretching series post by apologizing for my long absence. I’ve been really sick over the past two months and it’s actually stopped me entirely from going to ballet and stretching. As you can imagine, that’s been pretty frustrating… but I plan on touching on that in another post so stay tuned for that. Unfortunately I’m still only able to do very light stretching, and when it do it it’s far from pretty so I decided that I’d continue this post in the series by using found resources and photos. Hopefully within a few weeks I’ll be able to get back into the game and get some original photos and stretches for you guys!

Today I wanted to cover leg stretches, with some emphasis on knees since I know someone requested it! 🙂 The following are some of my favorite leg stretches, some of which not only improve flexibility but strength as well. I’m all for a double whammy!

1. Triangle pose: Ok so when I first stumbled across this yoga pose I looked at it and said “PIECE OF CAKE”. Then I tried it… haha. It’s not easy, folks! It requires hamstring and groin flexibility as well as core strength to maintain balance.

  • Stand with your legs about 3.5 to 4 feet apart.
  • Turn out your right foot, and leave your left foot turned in.
  • Lift your arms straight out to your sides.
  • Tilt your upper body over your right leg, stretching your arms and legs
  • Twist at the waist, lowering your right hand to your right ankle.
  • Repeat on the other side. For an added knee stretch, bend the knee of the leg that is turned out.

2. Knee Stretch: This one is pretty straight forward. I find that it helps stretch not only my legs and knees but also my lower back. I find this one super relaxing and love doing it before bed! Just lie on your back and bring each knee up to your chest one at a time, hold for about 30 seconds (longer if you’d like), and then lower your leg back to the ground. Easy peasy, but very helpful for tight knees.

3. Forward lunge/Warrior Pose: This stretch and yoga move is helpful for stretching the knee, hamstring, and groin all depending on how deep you can take it.

  • Start with your legs about 2-4 feet about depending on how far you would like to/can stretch. Keep one foot turned in, the other turned out.
  • Rotate toward the turned out foot and bend that knee.
  • Stretch as far as you can without discomfort.
  • Repeat on the other side! (don’t forget this!)

4. Hamstring Stretch: I love this one. I do this using Therabands but it can easily be done using a strap, rolled towel, bungee cord, etc. Just lie on your back and wrap whatever youre using under or around your foot. Then, trying to keep your leg straight, pull your leg up with your arms. When you feel that you’re about to need to bend your knee, stop and hold. Over time you’ll be able to go farther but don’t push yourself too hard or you could end up in a world of pain!

5. Hurdle Stretch: This is an oldie but goodie. Sit with your legs in a V position, as far as you can open them. Bend one leg in and lean toward your straight leg. You can do this facing straight toward the leg or to the side. Make sure you don’t bounce!

Hopefully these leg stretches (with knee emphasis) can help some of you! Let me know what kind of stretches you’d like to see in the future. I apologize for the lack of new pictures, I hope that when the next post comes along I will be able to actually participate!

-Caysie.

Filed Under: Ballet, Info, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , 3 Comments