October 24, 2012

Inspiration for Beginner Adult Ballerinas

English: Modern pointe shoes. The edge of the ...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Or anyone, really.

Watch this short (22 minute) documentary about the Alonzo King’s LINES Dance Center in San Francisco, California. It focuses on beginner ballet instructor Kathy Mata, who you can tell really loves her job and teaching beginners ballet. It’s great to see people from all backgrounds try ballet. What I really love is that Mata is in charge of a beginner ballet company, and they do 8 shows a year.

I really wish someone in Philly would do this. Does anyone know of any other studios that do?

(Thanks Legal Ballerina, for the link I stole it from your sidebar).

Filed Under: Ballet, Info Tagged With: , , , , , , , 2 Comments
October 23, 2012

How do you workout?

exercise ball

(Photo credit: keepon)

While I’d love to be in ballet every single day of the week, it’s just not possible given that I’m a broke college student and that I’m fairly busy. I know that I’m lucky that I make it to 2-3 classes a week. And if you’ve been following the blog, you know I’m out of ballet for at least another week (and it’s so hard not to go but I know it’s better for my ankle injury this way–I’m working on strengthening it and babying it as much as possible).

But since I can’t be in a studio every day of the week, I’ve started exercising in different ways, usually some sort of toning using either my foam roller (my favorite piece of equipment for working out sore muscles after a tough workout or ballet) and my new stability ball. I’m really looking forward to using the stability ball to workout my core since I could definitely use more core strength for my ballet.

Here’s some of the workouts I’ve been testing out, now that I haven’t been able to go to ballet lately or hit the gym and the treadmill like I used to:

Foam Roller Back Stretch: Haven’t done this one yet, I’ll let you know how it feels tonight!

Stability Ball Roll Out: Another set I’m testing this evening.

More Stability Ball Moves: I love the reverse crunches, ball curls, and pike. I can’t manage to figure out the skier without falling off (and Prevention’s video link is broken). Let me know if you’ve done it or a similar move.

Foam Roller Workout: The butterfly lift and the shell curl are wonderful exercises (the shell curl is great for rolling out your lower legs). Boyfriend said the scissor balance was tough but felt like it was a good workout while I couldn’t manage to do it. This link also has great recommendations for foam rollers. I personally love my theraroll. You can check out some muscle release techniques from them here.

Theraband Exercises: My ankles are in desperate need of strengthening so I love the first exercise she snows since it’s how to properly do it. Thanks for the link DisneyBallerina!

What exercises do you do to help strengthen your ballet muscles?

Filed Under: Ballet, Etc., Info Tagged With: , , , , , , 6 Comments
October 22, 2012

TweetChat Recap

For those who missed out on TweetChat last night, about five of us Adult Ballerinas chatted about all sorts of things from things we struggled with in classes like double pirouettes and arms placement (it’s good to know you’re not alone in your struggles!) as well as attending a summer intensive together this summer. We’re looking into the Sun King Dance Adult Dance Camp (and DisneyBallerina has the summer ’13 schedule here ) because they offer camp to nonprofessionals at any level.

If anyone else has summer intensive suggestions we could attend let me know! I’m probably definitely doing one of Koresh’s (here in Philly) which only run about 2 hours a day, but they always hold classes in the evenings afterwards as well for myself since I didn’t get to attend last year.

Also, for those who didn’t get to participate during Tweetchat because of time issues, let me know what times/days work best for you and where your from (feel free to send this to me in an e-mail if you want to keep it private). It’d be great to have more participants!

Filed Under: Ballet, Etc. Tagged With: , , , , , 5 Comments
October 21, 2012

Don’t forget—#adultballerinas twitter chat!

Twitter chat will be at 930 pm EST! Feel free to comment below with your twitter name so other people can follow you before we start!

Mine is @kristengillette.

Well be using #adultballerinas with every tweet if you want to follow along.

Filed Under: Ballet, Etc. Tagged With: , , 8 Comments
October 19, 2012

Ballerina Profiles: Isabelle Roybal of thespicymermaid.com

This week’s adult ballerina profile is of Isabelle Roybal, a fellow adult ballerina and follower of the Adult Ballerina Project. Check out her own blog thespicymermaid.com

Adult Ballerina Project: When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

Isabelle Roybal: I started up again in the beginning of September 2012. At first I did DVD’s at home, but shortly after I found an adult only dance studio. It was meant to be.

ABP: Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

IR: I competed in artistic roller skating for 10 years and we took it regularly, but mainly worked on upper body movements since we had our own thing going on with our feet.

ABP: Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

IR: At first, it was a desperate search for a weight loss program. I’ve gone through so many fads: Zumba, yoga, hula hooping, running, the gym, racquetball, the treadmill, circuit workouts. One day late August I came across an article about Mary Helen Bowers training Natalie Portman for “Black Swan”. I had an epiphany! I always loved the fluid and grand movements of ballet. I tried a couple of her DVD’s and went from there. Since skating isn’t an option for me, ballet was the obvious choice. Now I’m addicted and can’t think of much else.

Loving the tutu, Isabelle!

ABP: Where do you take classes?

IR: There is an adult ballet studio called Room To Dance only 10 minutes from my house. It’s convenient and very low cost. Jackpot!

ABP: What is your favorite part about ballet?

IR: I love the effortless look of obvious strength the most. When I skated I basically had 5 pound weights strapped to my feet. This is more freedom. Something I can really use to dance away my daily stresses.

ABP: What is your least favorite part?

IR: I haven’t had any physical issues yet but I know this will be my problem. I’ll be putting my all into it and I expect there will be some annoying injuries or obstacles to overcome especially at my age.

ABP: Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

IR: Me. Another reason for taking actual classes was that this was something I could do and do well. My daily job is one of basically tending to the needs of others. Kissing butt without question. Taking negativity with a smile. Ballet is mine. No one can take it from me.

ABP: What motivates you to keep dancing?

IR: Although I’m overweight now and shy in my “old” age, I’d love to be on stage again. I miss performing. I’ve always been a ham! Oh, and the shopping. I love shopping for ballet junk.

ABP: Do you take any other dance classes?

IR: As soon as I can get up the stairs to the studio without huffing and puffing I’d love to take ballroom and/or salsa. It’s like what I did when I skated but sans wheels!

ABP: What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

IR: I love my dogs. I have 3 chihuahuas that I love coming home to every day. I also couldn’t live without camping and travel. I’m lucky enough to have found a wonderful man to take me on tropical destinations at least once a year.

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

IR: What else could they say? At our age, we’ve obviously seen some stuff and been through some things. It’s scary to start a new adventure in life. I never, EVER thought I’d be leaping and jumping in skimpy clothes in front of people. But this isn’t high school. If there are mumblings, who cares?! I’m very very self conscious about my weight and I’m not even that big. It was more than worth the effort and it turned out everyone was awesome! Start small, you’ll want more.

ABP: Anything else you’d like to add?

IR: Don’t be afraid. Of anything. Except the tuna at Subway. *shudders*

Want to read more? Check out more profiles on David Wilson and Legal Ballerina.

Filed Under: Ballerina Profiles, Ballet Tagged With: , , , , , 3 Comments