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Review: The Balletband

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Product Name: Balletband

Product review: The Balletband is a resistance band that has been created specifically for dancers–by dancer Todd Fox. He began producing them when he was dancing at Cleveland Ballet in 1998 and has been selling them ever since.

Made out of a very sturdy, green latex, the band is a great tool to use for stretching. I just finished playing around with it and I found it very easy to work with. It comes with an instruction sheet to show several different ways to use the band, and I came up with a few more that were tailored to my own specific needs.

Balletband

I think this product would be a terrific thing to bring on the road, as it is compact and lightweight. You could easily tuck it in your dance bag or luggage without it taking up too much space. Also, at least for me, it made stretching more fun. I have never enjoyed that part of the workout routine, and to have a tool to help make it more interesting was very helpful.

I’ve used many resistance bands before and the thing I liked the most about this one was the fact that it is so durable. When I’ve worked with other bands I’ve always felt as though they might snap with enough pressure. Balletband was thick and it gave me a secure feeling, even when I did the stretch pictured to the left.

The learning curve is low with Balletband, and it doesn’t require any specialized knowledge to use, which is nice. I don’t think it would be the right tool for younger dancers, but those who are experienced at stretching would probably enjoy changing things up by using it.

This product would make a great gift, or an investment for your dance studio. I could see it being used in class–or offered for students to use in-between rehursals.

Want to learn more? Check out the FAQ section on the site.

Interested in purchasing a Balletband? View this page for pricing information or to place an order.

This is a sponsored post. Please read our disclosure.

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Review: The Dancer’s Way, By Linda Hamilton, PhD and New York City Ballet

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by Catherine L. Tully

Once in a while a dance book comes out that is so on-target you want everyone to read it. The Dancer’s Way is such a book.

Written by Linda Hamilton, PhD and New York City Ballet, this book addresses the dancers of today and provides guidance for them by sharing information about tools that are used in the NYCB wellness program.

Some of the subjects that are covered in this book include things such as good work habits, cross-training, eating right, weight control strategies and stress management. These are broken down into sections and grouped under the heading “Five Keys To Peak Performance”.

There is no doubt that the considerable information here is the best available in the business. Dr. Hamilton is the wellness consultant at New York City Ballet, as well as a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. She has written a column for Dance Magazine for many years, and is also a consultant for the Ailey School and Career Transition for Dancers. She was also a dancer at NYCB.

Peter Martins himself wrote the introduction for this book–an appropriate selection, given the fact that he was Ballet Master in Chief of NYCB when the wellness program began and has worked with it ever since. In the introduction, Dr. Hamilton mentions the fact that in only three years this approach has slashed disability at NYCB by 46 percent. To me–that is truly an amazing number.

The fact is, the information contained in these pages is used every day by some of the best dancers in the world. That’s a big-time endorsement, in and of itself. But one of the best things about the information in this book is that it can apply to everyone from the casual dancer to the serious company member. Those who are interested in learning how to protect their bodies and enrich their health while being physically fit will appreciate this comprehensive approach to wellness. There is something here for people of all levels.

In addition to the information mentioned above, other gems that this book shares with the reader include:

+ Information on getting an orthopedic screening. This type of exam can help identify orthopedic issues that may arise, depending on the individual’s body. It was developed by Dr. William Hamilton.

+ A list of books, DVDs and Web sites. Resources for everything from eating disorders to dance medicine education and referrals.

+ A food diary worksheet.

+ A dance medicine glossary.

This is a book that belongs in the library of every dancer and on the shelves at every studio.

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For more information on Dr. Linda Hamilton, including other books she has authored, wellness tips and more, visit her Website

CD Review: Music For Ballet Class 2, Ayumi Hirusaki

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Name: Music For Ballet Class 2, Ayumi Hirusaki

Review: Truthfully, I might have considered buying this CD just for the cover art. The lovely picture of a ballerina at the barre is as engaging as the music within.

This CD features Ayumi Hirusaki, the main pianist at the National Opera of Tokyo, and it is the second of two CDs designed specifically for ballet class. (The first is simply “Music For Ballet Class“.)

There are arrangements of music from composers such as Gershwin, Minkus, Prokopiev and Joplin here, and the variety helps keep things interesting. Hirusaki also includes improvisations on the CD. Once you hear the music, there can be little doubt that she is an accomplished musician.

If you are wondering what the music sounds like, you can listen to short samples of the music on this CD on the Mediaphorie website to see if it would work for your class. (One of the nice things about the web is the days of buying a CD without having any idea what is on it are pretty much over.)

The barre is a pretty straightforward one, and the centre tracks offer music for tendus, an adagio, allegro and more. The music here is probably too “grown up” for a children’s class, but would work well for higher levels or adult ballet classes. I’ve used it in my class and the students enjoyed it–it offers a break from the typical “routine” barre music that is out there.

It’s nice to have options, and this is a good CD to have in your rotation.

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Review: Behind Barres Volume VI, By Request

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Name: Behind Barres Volume VI, By Request

About: This is another good CD for ballet class by Behind Barres–and by now that shouldn’t be a surprise. Still, this one in particular has some really great music on it–thus the “By Request” in the title. These tracks are actually ones that were asked for again and again.

You can hear adaptations of songs such as “Puttin’ On The Ritz” and other tunes you’ll recognize, which make for a fun class. As with other CDs this company has put out, the sound quality and arrangements are top of the line, so you don’t have to worry about if the songs will sound good in the studio.

Curious? Head over to the site and listen to a few sample tracks to get a feel for what is on this CD.

Finding good music for class is a challenge that I used to dread. Luckily, over the years there have been companies such as this that have sprung up to deliver ballet music that is fun, inspirational, and, just as importantly, good quality. If you can’t have a live pianist in the room with you, at least you can get the next best thing.

Buy this CD or browse others.

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Review: Tune In And Turn Out Volume VIII

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Name: Behind Barres Presents: Tune in and Turn Out, Volume VIII

Much like the other CD that I thought could have been a disaster (but was actually quite good) Under the Palms, the thought of teaching a ballet class with an album full of TV theme songs made me a little more than nervous. Once again, I didn’t have to worry…

This fun CD offers up some wonderful music from television shows such as The Munsters, The Flintstones, The Odd Couple and even I Love Lucy. Before I played the tracks, I couldn’t imagine how this might be pretty, but it really is. Although the melodies are the same, the tunes have been expertly arranged so that they are appropriate for the dance classroom (thanks again to Judy Rice and Paul Lewis). I think that students will be amused and entertained listening to the music and matching the songs to the show.

This is a wonderful CD to use as a change of pace to bring a little freshness to the studio environment. After all, who says you can’t have a little fun in ballet class? Tracks are all on the shorter side, so it is probably a good album for beginners, or to use mixed in with another CD for kicks. Adult students are probably the best audience for this, as many of the theme songs are from older TV shows, such as I Dream of Jeanie and the theme from the Carol Burnett Show.

I probably never would have chosen a CD like this for fear that it would be campy and silly, but I would have missed out on a really interesting compilation of music. My students loved it–and to me, that’s what it is all about.

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