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
October 24, 2013

FOMO: Fear of Missing Out

I first really learned what FOMO is thanks to Dance Academy. In the episode, Tara’s leg is finally beginning to heal, but she  begins to fear missing out on 2185782normal teenage things, like dances and boys while at the academy.

My FOMO, or fear of missing out, is a little bit different. I’m worried about missing out on things in ballet class and fall behind with running.

I finally did the math and I’ve missed more than 20 weeks of ballet class in the past year thanks to this injury alone, and I’ve missed even more from being otherwise sick and holidays. I know I’m falling behind all the women in my class who are already en pointe, and are doing pretty well en pointe, too–because they started over 8 months ago. I’ve only been able to attend about three pointe classes, and they don’t seem to be happening in my future.

But it’s more than just falling behind in class–I recently learned that a couple of months ago I missed on getting together with some of the women who go to ballet class because I wasn’t there because I was injured. Although I’m slowly getting back into the swing of going to classes–I’m afraid I’m going to miss out on something this again if I have to take a break from classes again.

Although it’s a little harder to miss out on running, I’m worried I’m going to fall behind my boyfriend and my sister, and that when I can finally return to running, I won’t be able to run as fast as them anymore. While HQ hasn’t gone running without me yet, he’ll probably go soon, and I haven’t been given the clear to run yet. While he has always run faster than me, I’m worried I’ll be even slower and it’ll take me longer to get back to the same level I was on.

Have you ever dealt with the fear of missing out? How did you deal with it?

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog Tagged With: , , , 4 Comments
October 21, 2013

You’re Never Too Old to Do Ballet!

A big thanks to Claire Farmer for sharing this with me on Facebook! Don’t forget to read her lovely guest post, Ballet for Body and Soul, too!

BBC News recently ran a story, “‘Silver Swans’ taking to the barre later in life for ballet lessons”, about older adults taking ballet class.

Image via BBC

Image via BBC

More and more pensioners are taking up ballet, according to the Royal Academy of Dance. It is putting the phenomenon down to the popularity of TV programmes like Strictly Come Dancing.

In a locker room at Scottish Ballet, a group of dancers are lacing up their ballet shoes.

Only one thing marks them out from the other dancers here.

These dancers are all in their 60s and 70s.

Today, they are rehearsing Swan Lake.

Among them is Alicia Steele. She danced when she was young. Now, nearly 80, she’s back.

“I went to keep fit classes, but I found them a bit boring,” she says.

Read the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24567818

What other ballet stories have you seen in the news lately?

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , , 5 Comments
October 18, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Zoe Simms aka Bush Ballerina

Our first nominated Beginner Ballerina is Zoe Simms, aka Bush Ballerina. Check out the profile below and make sure you follow her blog to read more about the upcoming ballet classes she’ll be attending with her daughter!

River Ballet 1

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started ballet in March this year (2013). I was 35 years old.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I only took a handful of ballet lessons in my childhood. I did a little jazz and tap.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

Ballet was a style of dance that I had never tried properly as a child, and it had always kind of baffled me. It looked complicated and intense. I was overwhelmed by it. Especially the ballet language – “You want me to pirou-what?” I mean, I thought it was absolutely beautiful and enchanting, and I had always wanted to learn it. But I was too scared.

I decided to start ballet as an adult to help me fight my way out of a depression. It was essentially therapy. I needed to spend time each day focussing on something that was completely new to me, and was only for me – not for anyone else. It needed to take me out of my comfort zone. I chose ballet to do that, and it worked.

It’s amazing how something you can be so afraid of can end up being so healing.

Tenterfield ballet 1

Where do you take classes?

I live in the bush and don’t have access to any adult classes, so I teach myself. I read books on teaching ballet and I search the internet for great ballet videos to learn from. So I take classes in my lounge room. And sometimes by the river.

I will be travelling back and forth to Sydney for some medical treatments for my daughter soon, and I have lined up some ballet classes at Studio Tibor while I am down there. I’m really looking forward to that.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

Ballet soothes my soul. That’s my favorite part.

What is your least favorite part?

Not being able to do everything I wish I could do. Why can’t a retire in releve be easier to hold?

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?zoe ballet hilltop

Oh, I have a mega Polina crush (Polina Semionova)! Haha. Actually, the people who inspire me the most are those who aren’t technically supposed to be dancing ballet but are doing it anyway. Traditionally there has been discouragement around starting ballet any older than teenhood, but now there are all these people starting ballet all through adulthood . It’s both beautiful in contrast, and courageous.

I’m also inspired by the teachers who are not only instructing adult dancers in ballet, but are holding them to high expectations. Those teachers are telling adults starting ballet that they shouldn’t expect less of themselves just because they are not spring chickens. I think that is an inspiring way to view life in general.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

The acute awareness that one day I won’t be able to dance anymore, and that I may be unable to dance sooner rather than later, is a major motivational factor.

I have a connective tissue disorder which makes my body pretty high maintenance. I need to work really hard to keep my body functioning (sometimes only semi-functioning). Ballet has become an important form of physical therapy for me. It’s also, as I mentioned earlier, my emotional therapy. So basically I become a a bit of an all round mess if I don’t dance! Lol.

Do you take any other dance classes?

No. But I would love to have a go at some of the ballroom styles before my dancing days are over. That would be even harder to learn on my own, in the bush! “Bush Ballroom?” Haha.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

My blog. Watching movies. Attempting to fish. Oh, and I am an unabashed Dancing with the Stars geek. Our Australian version just started a new series, so that is my Tuesday night hobby at the moment!

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

You won’t always be able to dance your heart out. So do it while you can.

Remember that every day you are able to dance is a blessing. It’s easy to feel disappointed and frustrated with our physical limitations (especially as adults entering ballet) but it is a blessing to even be in the position that enables you to feel that frustration. Feel blessed that you have a studio or a lounge room to walk into for ballet. Feel blessed to have a teacher or access to amazing teachers who wrote books that you can learn from. Feel blessed when the music starts. Feel blessed when you move your body – even if it’s in the wrong direction. It’s kind of neat that you have a body you can move, because not everyone has that. Ballet really is a gift.

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , , , 4 Comments
October 16, 2013

Homemade Protein Bars and Fuel

Last week, I mentioned some of my favorite dance and running fuel. Unfortunately, some of those can get quite expensive (paying 2-3 dollars per bar or gels can add up in a hurry). Another issue arises: many of us have allergies and intolerances (I may or may not–I’m not sure–have a slight soy intolerance). While I’ve been able to find many bars and supplements that meet my needs, they often come with a high price tag. So over the next few weeks, I’m looking to try some new recipes to make my own homemade bars. Here are some of the recipes I’m looking at:

homemade protein bars via Healthy Green Kitchen

I love the sounds of these, and that they use coconut oil and Greek yogurt!

Homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars via Chocolate Covered Katie

These looked really, really simple. They also seem to have the same consistency as real food barre and other similar bars–and while I’m not the hugest fan of it, it does make the bars easy to eat. I also love that they don’t have huge chunks of nuts, because sometimes I want something that is nut-free.

Quick ‘n Easy No-Bake Protein Bars by oh she glows

These look absolutely delicious, and I love that they include rice crisp cereal and chocolate, which will be perfect when I want something desert-like but also want to get in some protein as well!

If you have any suggestions or any recipes (or dietary guidelines) that you’d like me to test out, let me know! I’d love to know what recipes you’ve found work really well (or not so well). I’m also on the hunt for a yummy baked oatmeal recipe after my last one horribly failed.

Do you buy or make your own protein bars? Why?

Filed Under: Ballet, Etc. Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment