February 3, 2014

Ballet is Tough…

…but you already knew that.keep-calm-and-dance-on

I finally made my return to ballet class at Philly Dance Fitness last week after a two-month absence.

My plan for the class was to take it easy and stand at the back of the room so that I would feel as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, the class was a pretty small size and included a lot of first-time students, so I ended up standing up at the front of the barre.

Given that there were a lot of first-timers, we focused on a lot of the basics. I was easily able to get back into the swing of things. I handled the barre exercises and the combinations in the center we were given well. It was painful–in a good way. I could tell how out of shape I had become over the past two months.

My plan is to take it super easy by attending their Absolute Beginner Ballet class once a week until I get back into shape. I’ll also be working on a lot of cross-training and strength training exercises (hello calf raises!) at home.

What are some of your favorite go-to at home exercises?

(Image via)

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , 7 Comments
January 31, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Nicola Lynde

IMG_3759This week’s profile on Nicola Lynde comes all the way from Denmark! Check it out and make sure you visit Nicola’s blog, http://nicola-lynde.blogspot.dk, too!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I took the odd class in my early 20’s, but not regularly, and started dancing properly at 26.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I was a rhythmic gymnast as a child and took ballet lessons in conjunction with that. I had a base knowledge of a lot of the movements, but realized just how much I was missing, particularly the terminology, when I started ballet again.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I have always wanted to dance en pointe. Hasn’t every little girl? I decided to try and achieve this before my 30th birthday.

Where do you take classes?

I dance at Sceneindgagen, in Copenhagen Denmark. They are a primarily modern Dance studio, but offer ballet classes as well. Luckily they are very international too, so about half my classes are in English.  (http://www.sceneindgangen.dk/dance-studio/sceneindgangen)

What is your favorite part about ballet?

Dancing en pointe. In the past couple months I’ve gotten to the stage where I feel comfortable, like the shoes are a natural extension of my leg. There’s just such lightness to it, like you are floating.

What is your least favorite part?

Frappés. Hands down. My brain hates them, and they are a constant struggle.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

I don’t have one particular inspiration, but draw it from multiple sources. Living in Copenhagen I can see the Royal Danish Ballet preform once in awhile, which is an amazing experience, not least of all because of the amazing Royal Theatre. I also get a lot of inspiration from watching the full time students at my studio, who are training towards a career in dance. They are young, full of energy, and very fun to watch, and to try and keep up with. I also find inspiration in others stories, which is why I like visiting blogs about other adults who dance.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

Improving my ability. I can see such a large improvement from the year I’ve been back dancing and I constantly want to see this.

Do you take any other dance classes?

I take one modern class a week. The modern teacher at my studio is fantastic, and her classes have an amazing energy that I have to be a part of.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I blog, knit, cook and take pictures. I’m a fulltime student again, as of September 2013, so my time is a bit more flexible now than it was while working full time. I’m generally pretty busy, but enjoy that lifestyle.

Be patient. Don’t compare yourself to others, only to yourself.

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Interviews Tagged With: , , 3 Comments
January 28, 2014

Guest Post: How I Became A Runner

(Editor’s Note: It must be guest post week here at ABP! Today’s is brought to you by Laura Roeseler of Project Lovely Laura on why she started running as part of a Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador Blog Exchange. Make sure you head over to her blog then to read my post on why I started running!)

Laura Roeseler post-10K Race (1)For as long as I can remember, I’ve despised running.  The memory of achy legs, burning lungs, and disappointment are seared into my brain from childhood gym classes.  I could never run a complete lap during the timed mile, much less the entire mile.  I only ran when I thought the gym teacher was watching and I almost always finished last.

Having been overweight nearly my entire adult life, I decided to get serious about my health last January and much to my surprise, I decided to start running to lose weight.  I’ve met some amazing runners in my life and I am always intrigued by their passion and determination.  I could never understand what would possess someone to run, but there was always a small voice in my head thinking If they can do it, why can’t I?  I downloaded the Couch-to-5K app and set off on a path that changed my life.

If you aren’t familiar with it, the Couch-to-5K program is designed to get beginners to go from sitting on the couch to running a 5K (or approximately 30 minutes) in 9 weeks.  The first day of the program consisted of 9 intervals of 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking.   I didn’t even think I could complete one interval, much less 9, but I decided it was worth a try.  Running was exactly as difficult as I remembered; each second was a struggle and I checked my phone obsessively to count down the seconds to my next walking interval.  I ended up completing all 9 intervals that first day and I was sweaty, out of breath, and incredibly proud of myself.

As I progressed through the weeks of the Couch-to-5K program, I was faced with an ever present battle of mind over matter.  I would look ahead to the scheduled intervals and think that each was impossible.  Never once though, did my legs give out and I quickly learned that my mental strength was holding me back in my running, not my physical strength.  I was always able to complete the intervals, although sometimes I had to repeat a day or a week to build up my strength.

I deviated a bit from the Couch-to-5K program last summer and decided to try my own interval training.  Shortly after changing gears, I ran a mile non-stop for the first time in my life, which was a huge milestone.   I ran my first 5K in September 2013 and followed with my first 10K on October 13th.   Crossing the finish line in those races was incredible; I was elated and felt such a sense of accomplishment.   Those races did more for my self-esteem than I can ever express.

late Summer 2013 iPhone pics 048I will be running my first half marathon in early April and while training is challenging, I love pushing the boundaries of what I thought I was mentally and physically capable of doing.   I love the sense of incredible accomplishment that running provides and the self confidence that it gives me.  I’m more confident as a mother, wife, friend, and in my professional life and I know that I can do anything I set my mind to!

 

 

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: , , 2 Comments
January 28, 2014

Sponsored: Core Power Fit Kit Review and Giveaway

I was given a Core Power Fit Kit in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not Core Power’s. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.banana_family_350

I’ve tried a lot of different protein powders–ranging from whey protein powder to collagen-added powder to plant-based powder–and I’ve never been able to stick with any of them. I can’t get over the grainy texture. Core Power is super smooth and contains 26g of protein–perfect for those days I struggle to get enough of it.

Via their website:

“A delicious post workout recovery drink for your active lifestyle, Core Power is a real milk protein drink made from fresh, lowfat, lactose-free milk and real honey. Its optimum protein to carb ratio and nutrient-rich profile make for the perfect last stage of every workout. From endurance sports and bodybuilding to running, yoga and cross-fit, Core Power helps you recover faster, build lean muscle and stay at the top of your game. No matter which game you happen to play.”

I’ve only had a chance to try the banana, and although it’s flavor was a little bit strong for me, it worked really well as a liquid base for one of my smoothies. I’m looking forward to trying the chocolate and vanilla as more of a stand alone flavor (although it’ll be tough to resist mixing the chocolate in a milkshake).

The team at Core Power also sent me an awesome Fit Kit:

20140126_200629_Richtone(HDR)

It included a fitness ball, a sweat-wicking towel, a water bottle, a yoga mat (and bag) and a fitness bag. I love how big and roomy the bag is–it worked perfectly to haul a lot of stuff on the train. Good news is–I’m giving away a free fit kit to one of my readers!

Can’t wait? Amazon is offering $5 off a case (but you better hurry–it ends at the end of the month!)

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What flavor of Core Power would you want to try?

I was given a Core Power Fit Kit in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not Core Power’s. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , 7 Comments
January 27, 2014

Guest Post: Adult Ballerina Adventure: First Pointe Shoe Fitting

HMao2Being approved to go en pointe was a dream come true – clichéd but true! With a daughter en pointe, I had an idea of what to expect in a fitting, but only as an observer; I had no idea how the process would actually feel. Despite my excitement, I didn’t immediately rush to the dance store and camp outside like a concert groupie pining for the box office to open (pre-Internet) or an Apple product fanatic ready to storm the doors in order snag the latest iProduct.

Instead, I emailed Joy Ellis, owner of Footlights and fitter for my daughter and her ballet classmates for years, to see when she would available to fit me. I planned to go Footlights in the middle of a school day and workday to avoid other customers–of any age but especially young ones :). The fewer witnesses to my fitting, the better.

On the big day, Joy immediately put me at ease as we sat down and chatted about non-ballet topics like our kids, good books, and the weather. I joked that at 44, I was probably the oldest person she had ever fit for pointe shoes. Joy smiled, “No, just last week I fit a dancer in her 70’s.” Oh, well that sounded encouraging. I kept babbling nervously to procrastinate until Joy said “Okay, let’s get started.” She carefully studied both of my feet, noting their shape, size, and narrowness before selecting the first pair of pointe shoes for me to try on.

The first pair was Gaynor Mindens, which I thought were for advanced and professional dancers – but what did I know? They felt like narrow wooden boxes on my feet but: 1) I didn’t know what pointe shoes were supposed to feel like and 2) probably any pointe shoes would have felt that way to my virgin feet. I waddled to the barre and stood in first position. I knew what was coming next. “Okay, releve!” Joy said. I stared back at her but didn’t move. She gently prodded, “Come on, up, you can do it.” Bizarre scenarios crossed my mind: what if my feet broke … or I damaged the dance floor … or I fell over like Mary Katherine Gallagher (Saturday Night Live hyper-klutzy Catholic school girl from the 90’s) … or crashed into the mirror … or pulled down the barre?

Taking a deep breath, I plied and rolled up. I thought, wow — I am up high. Then whoa – getting completely over the box is difficult … and ouch — my toes hurt! Uh-oh, maybe this is not such a good idea. Maybe I can’t do this. I looked at my feet in the mirror – sadly, they looked like short stilts. Of course I was not expecting beautifully arched feet, especially as a complete neophyte in unbroken-in shoes, but my stick-like feet were a bit disappointing. Joy checked heels and asked me to describe what I felt (since I couldn’t judge how I felt — as in good or bad — since I did not know what was supposed to feel correct or not). She didn’t particularly like how the Gaynor Mindens looked on my feet and suggested other pairs. We worked through several different brands, models and sizes so she could eliminate obviously poorly fitting shoes and narrow down the selection to hone in on better fitting ones.

Joy compared pointe shoes fitting to solving a puzzle – matching different shoes to feet of various sizes and shapes. Much to my relief, each subsequent pair felt better. I was not sinking into the box, my toes were not hitting the end, and my feet felt breathable snug but not squeezed (or encased in a wooden box). After trying about 8 pairs, I found the most comfortable pair to be the Suffolk Standard Spotlight, 5 ½ N.

After purchasing the shoes, ribbon, elastics and Gellows by Pillows for Pointe toe pads, I thanked Joy profusely for her patience and expertise. Driving home merrily humming to myself, I called my daughter to share my excitement. She asked, “What kind did you get?” I told her Suffolk Standard Spotlight 5 ½ N. Silence. Then she exclaimed, “Oh no, that’s what I have, only mine are 5N. Now I want to get a different kind!” Nonetheless, this typical comment from an adolescent didn’t dampen this adult ballerina’s enthusiasm!

Filed Under: Ballet, Clothing and Gear, Info Tagged With: ,