November 15, 2013

#AdultBallerinas Can Dance!

ABP-logo

One of only three photos I’ve ever shared of me dancing.

We put in hours upon hours of dance a week and many of us take 3, 4 or 5 classes a week–yet we rarely share photos or videos of us actually doing it–myself included. That’s part of the reason I request photos of dancers when I interview them, so that readers can put a face to the dancer.

Kudos to those who already share photos AND videos of yourselves dancing, I deeply admire you. But I want to see more. We can encourage others to dance by sharing more and more photos and videos of us dancing, and I’d love to share them all on Adult Ballerina Project to show just how strong the adult ballerina community is!

Here’s how:

Starting Friday, November 29th (the day after Thanksgiving) post your photos and videos of you dancing (ballet or any other form of dance) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Vine using the hashtag #adultballerinas. Then each Friday until January 3rd, I’ll post a weekly recap of your photos and videos posted throughout the week.

Don’t have a social media account or prefer to e-mail photos? You’ll be able to e-mail photos to adultballerinaproject@gmail.com to participate too!

Not enough incentive yet? Over the next few weeks I’ll be looking for rewards to giveaway to those who participate, but for now I’m still on the hunt for prize ideas–if you have an idea of what would make a great prize or know someone who’d like to donate something for the contest, let me know!

Thank you to http://politefrivolity.blogspot.com/ for sparking the idea!

 

Filed Under: #adultballerinas campaign, Ballet, Etc. Tagged With: , , , , , 1 Comment
November 13, 2013

Why are dancers so clumsy?

whyaredancers

What comes up when you do a search for “why are dancers so…”

Dancers are supposed to be graceful, so why is it that so many of us seem to be so clumsy when out of the studio? Not that I’m exactly uber graceful when in the studio either–but I’m certainly a klutz outside the studio. I’ve been resting the past few days after slightly twisting my ankle while carrying stuff to my apartment on Sunday.

There are lots of different theories on why dancers are more clumsy:

The Dance Project lists a few reasons: dancers lack ankle dorisflexion (flexing their feet) and dancers tend to develop  thoracic outlet syndrome.

There’s also a popular Dance.net forum topic dedicated to different theories. My favorite is this joke:

“If a 2X4 is laying on the floor of a stage an actor will trip on it, a stagehand will step over it, and a dancer will trip on the spot where the board was long after it has been put away.”

Are you clumsy outside of dance? What do you “blame” it on?

Filed Under: Blog, Info, Outside Class Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
November 11, 2013

Dance Magazine’s 7 Deadly Sins

dancemagazineI’m a little bit ashamed to admit I’ve had to correct quite a few of Dance Magazine’s 7 Deadly Sins throughout my short time as a dancer–most notably rolling my feet in when forcing my turnout (a big no-no, I know) and generally because I have flat feet.

I’ve also given into hyperextension before I really knew better than not to do so. Thanks to Physical Therapy, I’m slowly but surely working to correct both of these bad habits. I’ve also used too much tension, as well, as I get nervous about some things in ballet class like small group work.

Which of these haven’t I dealt with?! I’ve been stuck in a rut, too–although that’s been an easier “habit” (if it even really is a “habit”) to break.

How have you been working on breaking old habits or avoided getting stuck in a dance rut?

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment
November 4, 2013

New Stretch Videos via Claire Farmer

image003Claire Farmer, who recently wrote a guest post for ABP, is now offering stretch classes online for roughly $3 for 20 minutes.

Her first class is now available for £2, and is compatible with iOS on the go! The introduction video is available for free. She hopes to encourage people to stretch safely and effectively, instead of just stretching for just two minutes at the end of the workout.

She’s now teaching stretching classes to encourage setting aside 20-30 mins dedicated just to stretching.  Each week will become progressively more advanced to allow you to reach your goals for improved flexibility. The first session is just 20 minutes, later session may go up to 30 minutes and cost £3.

You can find the videos here:

Stretch Introduction

 Stretch Class Week 1

The videos will soon be available on her website, www.clairefarmer.co.uk, as well.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Please consult your doctor before participating in any physical activity/stretching. If you have been advised that you can stretch please go gently and stop if you feel any pain.

Filed Under: Ballet Tagged With: , , , 2 Comments
November 1, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Ida Cathrine Holme Nielson of Wardrobe Philosophy

Ida Cathrine Holme Nielsen runs her own blog on personal style and ballet, which goes surprisingly well together called Wardrobe PhilosophyChloe-flats-vs-pointe-shoes. Make sure you check out her blog and her profile below!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started taking classes at 23.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

Yes, I was very serious about my ballet training until I was 18 and was injured with a stubborn case of tendonitis which forced me to take a five year long break from ballet.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I decided to go back to ballet because I realized that it is the perfect work out for me. It suits my body type and aesthetic taste and it even reflects my fashion taste quite well.

Where do you take classes?

In Copenhagen, Denmark.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

My favorite part about ballet is that it gives you a place in kind of an ‘elegant cult’, and you’ll feel absolutely great about yourself while dancing, it also really helps your posture and how you carry yourself. I am also totally up for the amazing leotard wardrobe , pointe shoes and accessories that goes with!

What is your least favorite part?

My least favorite part are the days when nothing seems to work and your balance is completely off no matter what you do.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

My ballet inspirations are Evgenia Obraztsova and Marianela Nunez. They are about my height and does an amazing job with what they’ve got!

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I hate to say the perks of being in pointe shoes, but it is definitely a wonderful feeling!

Do you take any other dance classes?

Not currently, but I’m thinking of taking one or two contemporary classes a week next season.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I love film and I’m a huge collector of vintage and antique clothing!

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

Don’t give up! I know it seems like everyone is better than you and your body does not respond well in the beginning and you feel like the lowest of the low in class, but it will pass and the day you feel you are the one to watch in certain exercises is totally worth it!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Once you’ve started ballet it almost gets to be a lifestyle. It comes to influence so many aspects of your life in a good way!

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