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! 

 

photo by:
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
December 19, 2014

Ballerina Profile: Patricia

IMG_2810
This week’s profile is of Patricia, who started ballet this past November, because she was always interested in ballet and figured picking it back up in college would be a good idea before she had to start looking for a real job and figuring out her career.
When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
I started doing ballet at the age of 20 this past November after some major deliberation.
 
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
I took ballet classes when I was 3 years old but stopped after a year.
 
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
I was always interested in ballet and thought it was just so beautiful. I figured picking it back up in college would be a good idea before I had to start looking for a real job and figuring out my career.
 
Where do you take classes?
I take classes at Joy of Motion in Friendship Heights and am thinking about trying out some other places in DC.
 
What is your favorite part about ballet?
I really like doing rond de jambes. They are hard to do but I like how they work my hips.
 
What is your least favorite part?
My least favorite part is keeping time and counting. That is one thing about dancing that I hate. But I’m working on it.
 
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
Pretty much I am inspired by anyone that loves what they do. One of my friends, Galene, dances ballet so she inspires me a lot. She’s even dancing in a production of the Nutcracker this winter! I also like watching Ashley Bouder and Chase Finlay from NYCB dance.
 
What motivates you to keep dancing?
I want to constantly keep getting better, constantly improving and nailing down a proper technique.
 
Do you take any other dance classes?
Not at the moment, no.
 
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
I don’t really have any other hobbies. School is like a full time job but its alright.
 
What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?
If you aren’t sure about dancing just take another drop in class with another teacher or try out a different place. You can always talk to your classmates or teachers if you aren’t sure or have worries even though it might be intimidating. They have probably been through what your feeling now and would love to help! (Probably) Just don’t give up without giving it a shot.
Do you have a blog?
Not yet. I’ll let you know if I get it up and running.

 

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
December 7, 2014

Some Updates–website update, the Nutcracker + Pointe!

So I’ve finally gotten around to doing some updates on the blog, mostly because I’ve been sick the past few days and haven’t made it to a ballet class or been able to go running. So I’ve done some messing around with a redesign to make stuff more readable and easier to find. Getting the studio stuff all in a line again is going to take a little bit longer…but we’re working on it.

On to ballet updates:

Although I’m feeling like crap for not having made it to a class since before Thanksgiving, things are going well. I’m so happy I get to learn choreography to Nutcracker music since I missed all of that last year thanks to my injury. Recently, I’ve also started doing some pre-pointe work again. I wish I had an awesome picture to share here, but I don’t. I’ll have to take one before the holidays start-up again.

HQ and I have also recently joined a gym, so hopefully I’ll get to improve my cardio more (since it really sucks right now).

Share your lovely ballet updates with me!

(PS sending out a round of emails this morning to those who submitted to be featured on the site!)

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog Tagged With: , , , 5 Comments
October 24, 2014

Beginner Danseur Profile: Don Wilson

barre

This week’s profile is of Don Wilson, one of my classmates at Philly Dance Fitness who started at our studio 6 months ago. Read more about him below:

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

6 months ago I began taking Beginner 1 at Philly Dance Fitness.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No, but wish I had!

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

There are SO many reasons… For starters, I love to dance! Working at a desk most days, it’s nice to have a fun form of exercise. We men also tend to be a little too stiff in our general movements, so another goal was to move more fluidly and gracefully in everyday life. With only the reasons above, any dance probably would have been great but there’s just something about ballet that’s therapeutic. It’s so graceful, requires so much strength and concentration that it’s impossible to be thinking about problems at work or home when taking the class or practicing at home.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Ballet, Interviews Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment