Where do I go from here?
Dancing can happen anywhere. You do not have to be a part of a dance studio in order to get the full and complete health benefits of dance. Nor is dancing the only way to participate in a health active lifestyle. I have only created this website to provide a window into ONE of the many ways to get out into the world and get healthy and happy. Dancing is what has worked for me, and I hope will always put a smile on my face, but I encourage you to find and celebrate what works for you.
In my old age, advanced considerably by many years of incorrect dancing, I have had to get creative with how I dance. My chaotic and hectic lifestyle does not allow for 7-10 dance class per week, nor does my starving student's budget. And so, I have had to come up with other ways to satisfy my need to perform and be active without necessarily being a part of a studio or performance group.
I now present some alternatives to formal dance training in a studio:
1) DANCE PARTIES - Anyone, anywhere can have these. Turn up your favourite music, clear some space, and giv'er all you've got! I have always loved and hated the cliche phrase "dance like no one is watching" as this can be very difficult to do. Especially in a dance class where you are supposed to be executing jetes and pirouettes with the greatest of ease and grace! A dance party, alone or with your closest friends is just the way to fully embrace the beauty of this popular catch phrase. All it takes is a few minutes. Get up and MOVE!
2) Yoga - As my body has failed me in a way that makes professional or even intensive dance training nearly impossible, I have come to embrace my yoga practice as a way to maintain flexibility as well as to increase my awareness of body and self. I think this is one of the most important lessons a young dancer can learn. You MUST listen to YOUR own body. No one will ever know what your body is telling you better than yourself. The more aware and open you are to this, the less injury and pain you will experience. Try a yoga class in your area, learn the basics, and bring this practice into your life, even if just for 10 minutes before your busy day begins. Such a large part of a healthy lifestyle is finding those moments to still and quiet your mind and listen to your intuition. Give it a go, you've got nothing to lose! (Just be very careful, if you are already a dancer, not to find ways to "cheat". Let your yoga instructor know to watch you for sneaky shortcuts that in the end will only end up being a disservice to your body. Ensure that your knees do not go over your toes and that your hips are always aligned properly. Try to maintain a parallel position when trying to balance in tree pose. Challenge yourself not to allow your dancer's turn out to help you stay steady.) See the Dance Resource page for links to some amazing studios.
3) Pilates - In conjunction with modern and ballet, one of my old studios doubles as a pilates studio complete with several reformers. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates as an exercise method intended to strengthen both body and mind. Focusing on building core strength, Pilates developed both mat exercises as well as several exercises to be practiced on specialized apparatus such as the reformer. In my opinion, pilates training is one of the most beneficial exercise regimes out there. It's focus on spinal and pelvic stability makes it ideal for dancers and athletes alike. However, it is imperative that you learn the basics of this method correctly. I thoroughly recommend paying the extra money to have one or two private lessons to ensure that the basics are clear and understood. When you have this basic knowledge, much of it can be applied and utilized daily just by having an awareness for how you hold and move your body. Please see the Dance Resource page for more information.
These are just a few ideas to get you on your way to your new, healthy, and active lifestyle!
In my old age, advanced considerably by many years of incorrect dancing, I have had to get creative with how I dance. My chaotic and hectic lifestyle does not allow for 7-10 dance class per week, nor does my starving student's budget. And so, I have had to come up with other ways to satisfy my need to perform and be active without necessarily being a part of a studio or performance group.
I now present some alternatives to formal dance training in a studio:
1) DANCE PARTIES - Anyone, anywhere can have these. Turn up your favourite music, clear some space, and giv'er all you've got! I have always loved and hated the cliche phrase "dance like no one is watching" as this can be very difficult to do. Especially in a dance class where you are supposed to be executing jetes and pirouettes with the greatest of ease and grace! A dance party, alone or with your closest friends is just the way to fully embrace the beauty of this popular catch phrase. All it takes is a few minutes. Get up and MOVE!
2) Yoga - As my body has failed me in a way that makes professional or even intensive dance training nearly impossible, I have come to embrace my yoga practice as a way to maintain flexibility as well as to increase my awareness of body and self. I think this is one of the most important lessons a young dancer can learn. You MUST listen to YOUR own body. No one will ever know what your body is telling you better than yourself. The more aware and open you are to this, the less injury and pain you will experience. Try a yoga class in your area, learn the basics, and bring this practice into your life, even if just for 10 minutes before your busy day begins. Such a large part of a healthy lifestyle is finding those moments to still and quiet your mind and listen to your intuition. Give it a go, you've got nothing to lose! (Just be very careful, if you are already a dancer, not to find ways to "cheat". Let your yoga instructor know to watch you for sneaky shortcuts that in the end will only end up being a disservice to your body. Ensure that your knees do not go over your toes and that your hips are always aligned properly. Try to maintain a parallel position when trying to balance in tree pose. Challenge yourself not to allow your dancer's turn out to help you stay steady.) See the Dance Resource page for links to some amazing studios.
3) Pilates - In conjunction with modern and ballet, one of my old studios doubles as a pilates studio complete with several reformers. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates as an exercise method intended to strengthen both body and mind. Focusing on building core strength, Pilates developed both mat exercises as well as several exercises to be practiced on specialized apparatus such as the reformer. In my opinion, pilates training is one of the most beneficial exercise regimes out there. It's focus on spinal and pelvic stability makes it ideal for dancers and athletes alike. However, it is imperative that you learn the basics of this method correctly. I thoroughly recommend paying the extra money to have one or two private lessons to ensure that the basics are clear and understood. When you have this basic knowledge, much of it can be applied and utilized daily just by having an awareness for how you hold and move your body. Please see the Dance Resource page for more information.
These are just a few ideas to get you on your way to your new, healthy, and active lifestyle!