Every “body” can do it…

Dance is not just something professional ballerinas do for a living or a move you do before taking a shower.  Dance is always an expression.  A form of therapy.  An extension of oneself.  Dance is also a form of healing.  On The Dance Advantage Daily, I came across this video that highlights the Annual Conference in Dance (USA). 

It reminds you that dance is more than just a beautiful performance of a ballerina in the Nutcracker.  I never knew that there was such a conference offered for all forms of dance.  But most importantly with recital approaching, I thought this would help others appreciate how the masterpiece is created.  It is crunch time for most instructors putting in the final changes for choreography or adding a last minute prop to complete the vision they are looking for.

            Every year, all of our instructors perform in the show.  It gives the students a chance to see us in a different view but also allows us to have some fun after being in such an authoritarian all year.  To kick back and enjoy all the hard work our students have put in to their classes and then take us back to where our roots began, on stage. 

            I posted a blog in the past that refreshed dancers (of all ages) the importance of stretching.  Even though the year is coming to an end, keep in mind that this dance video shows how dancers are moving through out practice.  Last night while rehearsing, it was amazing to see the different types of stretching it requires for us as teachers to rehearse.  One teacher said she took a yoga class at times and another was going through a series of stretches on the floor.  But regardless, just remember that if you don’t stretch properly, you may actually break a leg!

Kids do say the darndest things

Kids do say the darnedest things.  I came across an article that listed 7 things you should not say to your dance teacher.  Dance is supposed to teach children discipline in and out of the classroom.  I have found over the years that parents are not reinforcing the discipline we are trying to teach.  This article was written by the Rockettes Blog.  You can view the article here. 

Every one of these 7 things I have had a student say to me over the past few years.  I can not say it was the area I was teaching in because I have taught in several counties.  After reading through this article, I believe that number two stands out the most.  “What time is it?”. 

First of all, there is normally a clock in every classroom  While the instructor is teaching, the last thing they are thinking about is what time it is.  Normally it is how many more minutes to have to squeeze in as much material as I can.  Several of my students take classes from choreographers at conventions.  The last time I had a seven year old ask me what time it was I asked two questions. 

        Would you ever ask (insert studio owners name here) that question?  If you were at a dance convention, would you ever walk up to a choreographer while they were instructing, if they knew what time it was?

The answer to both of these was “No”.  So I finally asked, “Why are you asking me this question?”.  It was hard to keep a straight face to a seven year old but my point came across to them.  I have learned to develop a straight face when it comes to these situations because growing up, it never even crossed my mind to ask what time it was.  I wanted dance class to last another hour past the time we were released.  I guess there is a different type of passion that children have these days.

I found a post from the Dance Teacher Summit that lists “10Things Your Dance Teacher Might Not Tell You, But You Really Need To Know”.  This summarizes what we are trying to teach our students but I do not think they really do know.  I want to print this and share it with both the parents and older students.  

If parents can work with their children outside of dance class it would help with dance etiquette while class is in session.  Children can get more benefits from dance other than discipline.  Here is a cute video to check out other benefits of dance for your child.

If you don't bend, you'll break

Flexibility may not come naturally to most dancers.  They have to work hard to achieve their individual goals.  Every dancer’s body is different.  It is possible to stretch beyond what you may think the body is even capable of doing.  Keep in mind this is for dancer’s who are training for acrobatics or any other type of movement that will require the need for flexibility. 

As dancer’s mature into adulthood, if we do not continue to bend and stretch, we could injure ourselves.  Or even worse, break.  At this point in my life, I know a few dance instructors who are still dancing and required hip surgery at a young age. 

Dance Spirit wrote an article called The Best Stretches You’re Not Doing.  This shows examples of stretches for dancers and instructors.  Only thing required is yourself and a chair or ballet barre.  Whichever is closer. Remember:  A dancer is never too old to learn new tricks!

Over the years, I have found yoga, pilates, and other avenues to help when it comes to keeping the minimum flexibility for myself so I can continue to teach and demonstrate skills without injuring myself.

I included a basic stretch by Lucia Medina.  She will take you through a Zumba warm up for dancers.  I chose this video because it is quick and easy.  Any beginner or professional can take advantage these moves.

This 4-minute video will take anyone who is looking to get a good stretch in through a quick series of stretches covering the basic joints and muscles groups.  Enjoy!

Dance teacher to dance blogger

Danser.  French Translation=to dance.  LastDanser=last to dance.  As a dance educator, I want to continue to share knowledge of dance in all forms.  I strive to continue me education through Dance Master’s of America where I attend conventions each year.  In August, I attend one of the few dance educators program in this field.  To view the program's website, click here.  I want to cover the history of dance, language of dance, studio tips and hints, and tricks of the trade.  Old school dance teacher meets the modern day educator.  I was reading other dance teacher’s posts on facebook and listened to them share their stories of the classroom.  A collaborative way to have both entertainment and education in one spot.  I know this is something I have been looking for since I began teaching.  Years ago, when I first started as a demonstrator, the only information I could find was in an Encyclopedia.  Now I think of every post as a dance audition.  I always thought that last impressions are what matter the most.  When you leave this blog, I do not want you to just think dance.  I want you to think last danser (the last to dance).