January 29, 2015

In Search of Cross Training Tips + DVDs

PilatesFor the time being, I’ve given up on serious running. Not saying I won’t still hop on the treadmill or the trail every once in awhile, but I’ve given up on the idea of running a half marathon or ten miler (there’s a huge one in Philadelphia–the Broad Street Run). My legs seem to take forever to recover from it.

So now I’m on the hunt for additional ways to cross-train. I plan on using the elliptical machine every once in awhile, but I’m mostly trying to find DVDs and videos that I can do early in the morning (so no longer that 35-40 minutes is preferable).

Currently, I have a copy of an old Pilates for dummies DVD I really enjoy (plus, it’s short at about 30 minutes), a copy of Ballet Beautiful, and some Barre3 DVDS (which I’ve pretty much never touched).

There’s a couple more Pilates DVDs I’ve thought about checking out on Amazon, but for now, I’m looking for recommendations before I purchase anything else I won’t actually end up doing.

What cross-training DVDs or YouTube videos are your favorite? I’ll do a follow up post with what I end up liking! 

 

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Filed Under: Ballet, Info, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , , , 2 Comments
January 28, 2015

The Off Day Ballet Dictionary

Messy classes are unavoidable, despite our best efforts. So, perhaps we should make lemonade and think of off days as a unique subset of ballet with its own rules and definitions. (Apologies in advance to ballet teachers worldwide.)

Lemonade ballet 3

Created with Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image 1, Image 2.

Arabesque à la Seconde: The proper name for “a la sebesque”.

Hawaiian Rond de Jombe: Yes, it’s correct technique to include a little hula.

Petrushka Jumps: Pointed feet and stretched knees would just spoil the effect.

Port de Bras de Coppélia: The ability to move like an emotionless, mechanical doll can be invaluable.

“Reverse”: Dance historians now believe this originally meant “take a moment to freestyle”.

Degas Chicken Dance

Created with Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image.

Runway Updo: A messy bun is fashionable after all.

Spotting: The critical skill of whipping your head around to see just-what-on-earth-is-everyone-else-doing-anyway.

Superman Penchée: Arching your back would ruin the streamlined look. So would lifting your leg above 90 degrees:

superman penchée

“Superman Penchée”. Created with Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image.

Tombé: The correct way to arrive on the floor…

Variation: As in your own personal variation of whatever the combination was supposed to be…

Vibrato: A sophisticated addition to any balancing exercise.

Zombé: Any step performed with an appropriately dead level of energy.

Zombe

Created with Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image.

Filed Under: Ballet, Ballet Class, Blog, Info Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
January 23, 2015

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Lydia Hanna

20141123_121335Meet Lydia, who just recently started taking classes! She started taking them on YouTube (which she recommends for people who can’t afford classes right away). She blogs at Lydiateachesherself.WordPress. com.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

Just before Christmas.  I attended a class on a date and my legs started craving the movements,  so I started dancing in my kitchen to youtube classes.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

Yes, but I got frustrated and quit.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

Because it feels amazing, and because it’s great for stress.

Where do you take classes?

Youtube!  I highly recommend it, for those who can’t afford classes right away.
I’m about to start regular classes at Broadway Dance in Manhattan. I’ve also been to drop-ins at Mark Morris in Brooklyn a few times too,  and it was lovely.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

The moment where a movement that was impossible last week suddenly becomes natural.

What is your least favorite part?

The moment where a new move is not yet doable.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

Ballerinas like me who are older and imperfect.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

It’s fun! And it feels amazing.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

Writing, reading, and school. I love taking classes.(I’m studying political science at Pace and I studied Literature at Syracuse)

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

Perfect is overrated.

Do you have a blog?

Lydiateachesherself.WordPress. com

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Interviews Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
January 22, 2015

Adult Ballerina Project Ballerina Writer Program

Up until now, I haven’t really had a formal contributors program, I’ve just had people submit ideas via email when they think of them. We’ve gotten a lot of great pieces this way and I’ve had quite a few regular contributors write for the blog over the past couple of years.

However, I’m looking develop even more of a base of regular writers.

Like all of the other writing for Adult Ballerina Project, I still, unfortunately cannot pay for submissions from contributors (I don’t make any money myself on this project).

How The Program Will Work

About once a month, writers will receive an email from me asking for pitches on future posts for Adult Ballerina Project. As long as the idea fits with the blog and hasn’t been done before, I’ll ask you to write a post about it.

I don’t expect everyone to pitch or write every month, but my hope is that these writers can make a very loose commitment to writing about every three months (I’ll of course, be very happy if you can write more than that!).

However, you won’t get kicked from the writers group if you don’t submit something once every three months.

Who Can Join?

Anyone! Writers who haven’t yet been interviewed for an ABP profile will be asked to do so. You’ll also get a bio and description on the contributors page. Fill out this form to sign-up.

Not interested in the program, but still have an idea you want to write about? Send me an email at adultballerinaproject@gmail.com.

We’ll also potentially have a formal internship in the summer for ten weeks (details still to come). However, if you’re interested in doing an internship in the spring or summer, send me an email at adultballerinaproject@gmail.com.

Filed Under: Blog, Etc., Info Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment
January 21, 2015

Ballet Blog Roundup: January 21 Edition

Just some ballet related stories (and blog posts) from around the Internet this week. Feel free to add to the list!

1

Why ballet?

Jan 20, 2015 - loveballet89.wordpress.com - 96
I've known for a while that I'm not exactly a guy who lives inside the box. Most men my age who are active do things such as softball, golf or maybe bowling. Some are a little bit bolder and still play some soft of sandlot football ...
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2

No really, City Councils should get on this.

Jan 20, 2015 - adultbeginner.wordpress.com - 101
Took a class at Heartbeat House the other day, but before I talk about that I wanna talk about this other thing. Ok, Heartbeat House has this deal for new people. First class costs five dollars, and all the other classes you take within your first week keep on costing just five dollars.
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Ballet is Boring

Jan 20, 2015 - atthebarre.net - 88
Ballet is Boring
A friend and colleague recently posted a quote on her Facebook page and it got me thinking. Mr. Balanchine once said: "If you don't feel challenged, it's because you're not doing enough. Ballet should never feel comfortable. Comfortable is lazy! If you're comfortable when you dance, you're not pushing yourself hard enough.
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Mariinsky Ballet in 'Cinderella,' Under Alexei Ratmansky

Jan 20, 2015 - nytimes.com - 90
Mariinsky Ballet in 'Cinderella,' Under Alexei Ratmansky
The differences between danced versions of Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" - a mainstay of ballet repertory - tend to be relatively subtle. The Capulets and the Montagues usually meet in Renaissance Verona, and the individuals tend to quarrel, laugh, fall in love and die at more or less the same passages in the music.
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Sharing Stories

Jan 20, 2015 - dancewell.wordpress.com - 88
Hey guys, I'm looking for stories. Your stories to be specific. See, one of the things I love about dance is that it's different for everyone but there's no right or wrong way to be a dancer. So I'm interested in your stories of being a dancer.
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Filed Under: Ballet Blog Roundup Tagged With: , 1 Comment