A website for dancers, dance teachers and others interested in dance
Here’s a quick teaching tip to include in your class when appropriate…
Dance teachers often advise students to breathe when they stretch instead of holding their breath–but they don’t always explain why. If your students are old enough to understand more advanced concepts, tell them that holding your breath increases your blood pressure.
This isn’t a healthy habit to get into, and if they understand the “why” of it all, they may be more likely to make the change.
First of all, the disclaimer–I’m no doctor, I am not a nurse–don’t take anything I say as medical advice. This is for informational purposes only. That said, this is about bunions. If you are a female dancer who has done pointe work for any length of time, you know what I’m talking about. Not all dancers get bunions, but many do–and they can be painful. If you want to learn more about them….start by visiting the Calgary Foot Clinic (photo is from them as well) for a good primer.
If you are a well-qualified dance teacher looking for a very good job, the Joffrey is hiring for The Academy of Dance–the official school of the Joffrey Ballet. This is a great opportunity for those who have what it takes. They are also hiring a development intern.
Nijinsky. Even the name has a sort of mystical, dramatic feel to it. He is one of a handful of men who have received the spotlight in ballet. I think that more should share in that honor. Men are as vital to ballet as an art form as women are–yet women get the bulk of the attention. George Balanchine once remarked, “Ballet is woman,” and although I totally get where he is coming from, it should not negate the value of men.
Where there is no man…no ballerina floats. For the yin of the delicate solos of women in pointe shoes and pink tutus, there really needs to be the yang of men leaping powerfully across the stage without reserve. It is in the contrast of these two that the magic of the danse really shines through. It represents the forces within us all. The softness and the hardness. The subtle and the forceful.
I’m sure this has been remarked on before, but today I just wanted to highlight it again and send out a thank you to all the men in ballet. Without you…it just wouldn’t be magical.
Your dance bio on Twitter is a make it or break it thing…people will decide to follow you or ignore you based on that alone. I found a good resource that will help you think through how to write one. Want to share photos on Twitter? Did you know you can? You can use one of the photo sharing tools that have evolved to help out. While you are on TwitterTips, check out some of the other great info they have. Very helpful site.