October 14, 2013

Shin Splints and Dealing with Injuries Emotionally via Pointe Magazine

Image via Pointe Magazine by Colin Fowler.

Image via Pointe Magazine by Colin Fowler.

I should really subscribe to Pointe Magazine.

I bought an issue about 6 months ago while I was working on a design project (one of my assignments was to transform the layouts of an already established magazine to fit my own, for adult ballet dancers). I love some of the things that are written (a lot moreso than some of the other dance magazines).

For instance, this is one of my favorite articles on shin splints. So often, most articles mostly talk about shin splints and running. And while I’m doing all that I can to help prevent shin splints on that front (I finally have insoles and will probably get fitted for my next pair of sneakers once I’m up and running again)–the problem still persists in ballet because of my super flat feet. This article helps address what causes shin splints in ballet dancers and gives some really good tips for treatment–I love my pinky bouncy ball for massage and using a cup filled with ice to ice massage.

I’ve been in PT for about a week now, working on strengthening my feet, ankles and calf muscles to get back to ballet. Hopefully, this will finally help me get better and I’ll be able to dance (and run) pain free.

I also loved this column about dealing with emotions while injured. I had such a tough time coping with being out of ballet back in April when everyone around me was seemingly really busy. It seemed like I was always  at home watching TV while people were out having fun because the boot made it really tough to get around and I couldn’t go to ballet or run to keep myself occupied.

Luckily, thanks to PT I should be back soon and I’ve been pretty well occupied since I’ve stopped running or dancing (after the Rescue Run 5K). I may even be able to start barre as soon as Thursday or Saturday!

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Running Tagged With: , , , , , 2 Comments
October 11, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Bethany Keats

This weeks profile is of Bethany Keats, who started ballet after her gym closed and she couldn’t find another one that offered what she wanted, but needed to stay active. Read more below and be sure to watch out for her blog (bethany.merindolhall.com), which is coming soon!

Bethany getting in some ballet stretching on a ferry!

Bethany getting in some ballet stretching on a ferry!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started in the middle of 2012, so I have been doing ballet for a year and a term now.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I never took formal lessons as a kid but there was one hour of ballet as a part of my gymnastics training to help our movement for floor routines. I hated it and I don’t count it as doing ballet as a kid.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

My gym closed down and not liking what other gyms in my city offered, I needed something to keep me active. My commute to work is over 90 minutes each way therefore my usual outdoor sports I had been involved in were out of the question as there was no daylight when I got home. I started to think about taking some dance classes to blur that line between fun and exercise. I was also concerned about my posture from sitting at a desk all day and ballet ticked all the boxes I was looking for.

Where do you take classes?

I do classes twice a week at The Loft in Geelong.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

I enjoy the movement and muscle control. It’s a great feeling when you’re able to exercise that control and move your muscles exactly how you are supposed to.

What is your least favorite part?

Being in a class of adults with a varied background, the rate of learning is different for everyone and it can be frustrating when it’s moving too slow or two fast – but that’s just about patience (if I’m finding it too slow) or reminding myself that it’ll click another week (if I’m finding it too fast).

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

I couldn’t name a professional dancer to save my life. I have never been to the ballet and I know nothing about it beyond my adult class. Growing up, the only ballerina I knew was Jessi from the Babysitters Club.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

Sheer enjoyment. I have also set myself a goal of pointe as something to work towards.

Do you take any other dance classes?

Not since primary school when I did contemporary. Although there was my debutant ball in year 11 and one term of Latin at university. I’d jump at doing Latin or ballroom again.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

Unfortunately, I don’t have much in the way of free time but I love rowing and I wish I did more of it. It was my primary sport for a number of years but working life just got in the way. I’m also involved with my local community radio station and I learn French.

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

Be patient. You won’t get everything straight away and sometimes you just need to let the teacher’s instruction sink in. It can be really frustrating but when it eventually sinks it, it feels great knowing that you had to work hard for it.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I don’t have kids, but I often wonder if ballet would be something I would encourage any future kids, or friends’ kids, to do. I was on the eating disorder spectrum for a number of years and as much as I love ballet as an adult who is aware of body image risks involved, this is something that I’m uncomfortable with when it comes to young people. I think you’d have to choose the teacher very wisely.

 

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment
October 10, 2013

Q & A with Breaking Pointe’s Allison DeBona

allison-debona-breaking-pointe

I started taking ballet a few month’s before the first season of Breaking Pointe started airing.  Since it began, it has been one of my favorite shows on TV as well as an inspiration to me. Although there has been a lot of controversy behind the show (ranging from complaints of not enough dance to too much drama)–the show has done a lot to get ballet back into the spotlight. It’s definitely helped foster my appreciation for dance and makes me want to keep doing ballet although sometimes it has been really tough.

Allison DeBona has definitely been one of my inspirations on the show. Even though she was portrayed as the villain in season one, we got to see a different side of her in the second season. I also love the fact that Allison is super active on social media and loves her fans. She even created a stretching video for them:

Here’s my interview with Allison:

Adult Ballerina Project: When and why did you start dancing ballet?

Allison DeBona: I started ballet at the age of three! I remember loving it from the beginning. I loved pretending to be someone other than myself!

ABP: Who or what inspires your dancing?

Allison: Story telling really drives me to dance. I love being able to bring things to life on stage. I also like to make my family proud. They have done so much to help me get this far and its the only way to pay them back.

ABP: What made you want to pursue dancing as a career?

Allison: I’ve always had a thirst to be onstage. I can’t imagine ever having a desk job!

ABP: What made you decide to go to college instead of immediately pursuing a career in ballet?

Allison: I had taken time off of ballet as teen and I was 16 when I went back to ballet. My parents and I thought it would be best to train longer and we felt college was the best route.

ABP: What has been your favorite dance role?

Allison: I honestly love them all and am grateful for any opportunity I have on stage.

ABP: Who has been your favorite choreographer to work with?

Allison: I can’t answer that!!! Every person has something different to offer. You can learn from anyone!

ABP: What are you currently working on?

Allison: We just finished Sleeping Beauty on tour at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago and next we are working on our fall rep. We are performing “Fire Bird,” “Petite Mort” and “Who Cares?.”

ABP: Do you workout outside of ballet?

Allison: I love going to the gym. I usually run on a treadmill and lift weights.

ABP: What are some of your favorite healthy snacks?

Allison: You can always find me drinking a protein shake after class or between rehearsals. They make me feel strong.

ABP: Do you watch any other dance shows? How well do you think ballet is represented on TV?

Allison: I think there is a dance show for everyone out there. They are all different and they all offer a different perspective. Any opportunity dance has to be exposed is good for our art form.

ABP: What changes in Breaking Pointe would you want to see in Season 3?

Allison: That’s a tough question. Maybe if we get Season 3 we can talk more about our journey’s to being professional. That might be interesting to people.

ABP: What’s it like to be a soloist in Ballet West?

Allison: Amazing. That’s all that I can say about it.

ABP: How has your fame on Breaking Pointe affected your dance career?

Allison: I don’t feel any different in the studio. I do, however, feel a little more nerves dancing live knowing that everyone knows who I am. It’s a bit more pressure.

ABP: What advice would you give to adults (or anyone) who wants to start ballet?

Allison: Ballet is mind over matter. Stay focused and determined and you can accomplish anything!

Find Allison on Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to her YouTube account for more stretching videos!

Filed Under: Ballet, Interviews, Professional Ballerinas Tagged With: , , , , 2 Comments
October 8, 2013

Sponsored: U by Kotex Review

I have to admit–I’ve always been kind of squeamish about my period. It’s not something I like to talk about publicly. Although that’s improved over the past few years, especially with being a college student–I still get shy when I have to talk about it or when I have to grab tampons to take to the bathroom with me. Luckily, the Kotex samples sent to me, U by Kotex Sleek Tampons, made my latest period a lot easier.

U by Kotex Box

Super cute box for super easy to use tampons!

Here’s some quick facts about the tampons I was sent:

  • U by Kotex Sleek Tampons have a no slip grip for “just right” placement and a smooth tip for easy insertion
  • A full-sized tampon that’s easy to hold on to for “just right” placement
  • Slim size for your comfort
  • Available in Regular, Super and Super Plus absorbencies

As a reporter, recreational dancer, and a runner, I often find myself running–quite literally–between the different parts of my life. I try to always be prepared for all situations–including an unexpected period. This means I’m completely dependent on always storing tampons in every single one of my bags–without taking up too much room. U by Kotex Tampons were perfect for that. I threw some in my bag for work as well as my dance bag and forgot about it until it was that “time of the month.”

ballet-bags-with-tampons

Some tampons stored inside my ballet/PT/everything else bag, ready to go!

My period struck on one of my busiest days–Thursday. I have both work and ballet, which means I’m out of the house from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and 6:30pm to 9:00 pm, with just a short break in between. Occasionally, I even fill that time with a quick run too, so I get all of my stuff ready to go the night before.

UByKotextTampons

My sample box came with regular tampons in two different colors: green and purple.

I loved using these–they were super easy to use (the packaging rips open super easily) and offered the perfect amount of protection for super active and busy day. It was also super easy to discreetly pull one of them out of my bag and bring with me to the bathroom no matter where I was.

Learn more about U by Kotex through Facebook and Twitter.

Have you ever used Kotex? How do you prepare for your “time of the month”?

I wrote this review while participating in a content series through Clever Girls Collective on behalf of U by Kotex, and received products to facilitate my post and compensation for my time to participate.

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Etc. Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment
October 7, 2013

ABP Search Terms: Adult Ballet Frustration

Sometimes, the search terms that manage to lead people this blog can be pretty amusing ( as well as disturbing, ie “my boyfriend has pointe shoes”). However, last week, someone searched for “adult ballet frustration” and it was a phrase that particular rang true to me–and in fact, it could probably be the title of this blog for how much frustration I seem to go through–and for how frustrating ballet seems to be, when you start as an adult.

I started developing extreme shin pain about a year ago (which seems crazy to me) and I’ve spent a large amount of time trying to fix the said problem. I’ve seen multiple specialists, had way too many x-rays, got stuck in a boot, spent weeks upon weeks resting–and still the problem persisted. Adult ballet can be frustrating on its own without this other set of issues to deal with. photo

I saw yet another ortho this past Friday, and I’ll finally be starting physical therapy this week (after my last doctor refused to start me until I spent another 6 weeks resting, after having already spent 6 weeks resting) so that I can hopefully deal with the muscle imbalance I have. I’ll be seeing an office that specifically works with dancers (and is well-known for treating some of the ballet company members and other dance companies in the area).

What “adult ballet frustration do you deal with? How do you get over it?

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , , 4 Comments