Dancers Feet

Yup… I’m talking about it! One of the subjects most ballerinas like to avoid… their feet. Pointe shoes are lovely, and add so much to ballet… but for your feet, well let just say that they aren’t a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers!

No, that is not a picture of my feet… but it could be. Most dancers have very battered feet, just like in the picture. When not properly taken care of, you can do a lot of permanent damage to your feet (bunions, missing toenails, etc.) Many professional dancers are so afraid of being replaced (because there are so many talented dancers in the world and very few jobs) that they will dance though pain… even broken bones. So this is just a reminder to all you dancers out there, please take care of your feet! You only have one set, and you need them!

The_Ballerina

I’m Back!

My vacation was really fun! I enjoyed visiting my grandparents and seeing the sights. We stopped at a butterfly garden and I got some great pictures!





I was also able to take 2 ballet classes. The classes weren’t very challenging, but it was good to be moving again. It was just a local school, and though the teaching wasn’t what I’m used to I will say that the studio itself was very well decorated!
Have you been on vacation lately?

The_Ballerina

Vacation

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I am currently on vacation, visitng my grandparents out of state! So I won't be posting until I return, but I look forward to telling you all about the ballet classes I am invited to take and a school here!

The_Ballerina

Answers!

Here are my answers to the questions asked by Erin! Thanks for asking Erin!!!

What your goals are as a dancer?

I really only have one main goal, and that is to become the best artist that I can be! God has blessed me with the natural ability to dance, and I am so thankful for that. Though I have short term goals such as more turns, higher leaps, and faster foot work, but ultimate goal is to glorify God though dance!

What first got you interested in dancing?

I’m sad to say that jealousy is what got me to my first ballet class. My best friend was taking ballet and that was all she talked about. I wanted to be able to talk about it too so I convinced my mom to let me try ballet. It turns out I’m the only one of my close friends who still takes ballet seriously!

What inspires you as a dancer?

Whenever I’m feeling low or drained from dance, I love to go on youtube and watch professionals dancing. It reminds me what I’m aiming to be.
I’m also inspired my music. There are just some songs that make me so sad or so happy that I have to dance to get that emotion out, because I know I wouldn’t be able to say it with words.

Why you love to dance?

I love dance for many reasons! Sometimes its because it’s a great emotional outlet and I can express what I can’t say. But I think the one thing that really keeps me drawn in is the fact that you can always be better. There is no such thing as perfection in dance; it can always be better!


I hope to get more questions soon! In case you are wondering what is going on, read my previous post!!!

Here is my question to you!
What is one thing that you would love to know about ballet or life as a dancer?


The_Ballerina

One thing you want to know

Hello eveyone!

As I was trying to think of somthing to post about, and an idea came to me. "What if instead of posting what I think is relevent to ballet and my life, I asked YOU what you wanted to know about". So...

What is one thing that you would love to know about ballet or life as a dancer?

I'm really excited to try and asker you questions! Please feel free to ask anything!

The_Ballerina

Bittersweet

Summer Intensives are over and my teachers (Mr. and Mrs. F) and retired now. It’s really… Bittersweet.

I knew it was coming and I was prepared for it, but it is still sad to see them go because they have taught me so much! They have shown me not only good ballet technique but also how to be an artist. They may be done teaching now (though no one can stay away from what they love and I'm sure they will teach again someday) , but I will forever carry their words of wisdom with me. This is just the beginning of something great in my life and my love of dance!

Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. F! It was appreciated more than you know!

The_Ballerina

Update on my summer

Summer is finally here! I’ve been enjoying my week of from ballet by staying up until 2 and waking up at 10 and its going to be quite painful when Monday roles around and I have to be up at 6 am. Monday is the start of my summer intensive (my ballet school does it), it is three weeks of intense ballet training everyday! This will be my 3d year doing it (I did it two summers while I was still at my old studio). I’m not nervous because it’s my same teachers; I kind of miss that feeling of anticipation for something new and unknown!

Speaking of the unknown…next year will be my senior year and I’m starting to feel the pressure of decided what I’m going to do with my life! What are you guys planning to do? I’m thinking about taking a year off and working and possibly traveling.

Well that’s all I have to say for now. Oh but keep an eye out! I have something special planned for my next post!

The_Ballerina

Random

This is my last week of official ballet classes! I thought I would make a random post of videos and pictures that kept me inspired! I hope you enjoy it!













The_Ballerina

Update

Our performance of Don Q (the dream scene) went pretty well on Sunday. Except for a missed position in one variation (some of the corps didn’t move so the rest of us stayed, that way it looked like it was supposed to be that way) everything went smoothly. It was a great experience! We were a part of Day of the Arts in our city, it’s a huge event where the best musicians, dancers, and actors all come together and perform. It was so big that we (the performers) had to have backstage passes with security guards showing us where to go and taking names, it was quite the experience.

I unfortunately didn’t get any good pictures because of the fact that my mom didn’t push the right button on my camera. But I still had a great time.


The_ballerina

Don Q on Sunday

My first performance with my schools junior company in this Sunday! I’m just a lowly Corps De ballet member, but I’m still excited, this will be my first ever performance with these people. I’m hopping that if I do a good job I will get moved up to soloist for our December show… I think we will be doing Giselle. I’ll try to post pictures if I get any good ones!!

The_Ballerina

P.S. Isn't this picture of Alina Somova amazing?! I think its a little... excessive but it takes a lot of skill to pull that off!

Beautiful Pictures

The_Ballerina

Scrapbook!!!

I hope you didn’t think I abandoned you after my whole spiel about being more dedicated! For some odd reason my blogger account wasn’t working (oh the horror!). Anyway…


I received a scrapbooking kit for my birthday last year, it is full of neat pages and stickers. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to use it for because I have SO many pictures! Yesterday I finally decided how to fill the pages, I’m putting together a Ballet Memories scrapbook.

After having a tough few ballet classes I really needed a "pick me up", and going though all my old ballet pictures and letters from my first teacher has been great! They reminded me how much fun ballet can be and to let go of the stress and fear of not being good enough. I can’t let hard times crush my spirit and love for dance, and I won’t (mostly because I’m stubborn like that, lol). I’m looking forward to making the next page in my new scrapbook!

The_Ballerina

Pointe Shoes and New Devotion!

I’ll be the fist to admit that I am not the most dedicated blogger, as you can see it has been 14 days since my last post *Gasp*! I don’t even have much of an excuse, I had spring break last week so I had no ballet (but I did have to do school… being home-schooled does have some disadvantages). I need to be more dedicated, even if no one is reading my blog, this is a great opportunity to work on my writing skills (which really are not that great) and to praise God for all He has done for me.

So, to start of my new streak of dedication I’m going to talk to you about pointe shoes! The only form of torture still allowed in households across the world…

Ok so pointe shoes aren’t as bad as all that, but for many new students putting on pointe shoes can be very painful. When you are a young girl, getting pointe shoes is what you work for and dream about. Getting your pointe shoes is like crossing the threshold of being a girl to being a ballerina.
I still remember my first pointe shoes. They were beautiful! The pink satin and silk ribbons were what I had always dreamed of. My mom helped me sew on my ribbons and elastic, and my teacher showed my how to break them in. My first pointe class was fun. Being up on your toes is quite a sensation! The trouble started with my second class, which was not as pleasant as I had anticipated. As I took off my shoes, I saw the red welts forming on my toes. To say my feet hurt would be a gross understatement. My next couple of classes were pure torture. I hated every second of it, but I pressed on because I knew that the only way I was going to get to be a real ballerina was if I fought through the pain.

One fateful day (after many horrible classes on pointe) I learned about Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes (http://www.dancer.com)/. They are the most amazing pointe shoes I have ever had. Finding the shoes that are right for your feet make a world of difference, and I’m enjoying pointe more than ever!

I’ve been doing pointe for around 3 years, 2 of which I’ve been using Gaynor Minden Pointes. I feel like a real ballerina because I am a ballerina. I realize now that being on pointe in not the end all be all. It is just one part of being a ballerina, but it is a magical part that I hope every aspiring dancer will have a chance to try!

Warning: You should only buy and use pointe shoes when you have permission from a professional (i.e your ballet teacher) Useing pointe shoes before your ready could result in major damage!

Keep Dancing, even when it hurts!
The_Ballerina

Seeking Praise

I had my second Monday ballet class yesterday. It was a good class (as always) and I learned much. One thing really stuck out though.

During a combination my teacher mentioned that I work harder when I know I am being watched, and that isn’t going to do me any good. I came to the conclusion that I love to receive praise from people. Working harder when I know I am being watched stems from that.

Praise from man is good, but I should be working to give glory to God! When I’m focused on myself, I am full of pride. God is the only one who deserves praise and if I am going to be seeking praise, only Gods praise is lasting!

The_Ballerina

My Ballet Goals

I just thought I would share a few of my goals for the year with you. Summer vacation is coming up soon and I will have plenty of time to devote to my goals!

1. Get my middle splits.
I can do the splits to the middle but my goal is to have my legs perfectly strait across, like in the picture shown. Right now I’m more like the girl in the back.

2. Get my double and triple pirouettes down!
I’ve always been a little frightened of turning (or as my teacher says, "flipping") sense a pointe accident I had when I was younger. I really want to nail my turns and get over my fear!

3. Move up to being a Soloist in our cities dance "company".
I just joined the "company" this year and I’m in the corps de ballet. I am hoping that I will improve enough to get promoted!

4. Have my teacher tell say "That was beautiful" to me
My teacher only gives that compliment to the highest/best dancers in my class. I would love to hear her say that to me!

5. To become better friends with all the girls in my ballet class
I’m new this year, and all the girls have known each other for most of their lives. I really want to make a better effort at getting to know them!

Those are my goals! What are yours?

The_Ballerina

Tips from my Ballet Classes

I’ve learned many things sense I started taking ballet at a new studio in September of 07. All this great information is inside my head, and I know that other people could also benefit from it! So I thought I would share a couple of the great "lectures" that I’ve recieved from my ballet teachers! Todays advice is from my teacher named Jon and its on:

Balancing with your leg in Second (position that is)

"Have you ever had the pleasure of caring a very heavy suit case?" Jon asked me.
"I have, or I’ve at least tried" I answered.
"Then you’ve probably realized that if you carry two suit cases, one in each hand, that it is a lot easier to balance. Your leg that is in the air is like that heavy suitcase, it pulls you off your centre and thus you fall over. But if you have your weight over your toes on your supporting side and you are lifted in your hip and rotated, it is much easier to balance, and it is proper technique".

When I did this, it was so much easier to balance… much like it is when you are carrying two heavy suitcases instead of one!

I hope you learned something!

The_Ballerina

How to stay inspired

As a dancer I sometimes feel burnt out and wonder why I push myself to do what I’m doing.
In ballet perfection is what we strive for, what we live and long for, but we know we will never reach it. To us, our leg could always be higher, our turns could always be faster, and our jumps could always be grander. But with the sweat and tears come moments of pure joy! I love ballet, it is a major part of me.
When I’m feeling low and discouraged I remember how much God has blessed me! He has given me an able body that can twist and bend and lift! He deserves all the glory for that! Everything I can do is from Him!

Feeling Low? Try these!

To refresh my mind when I feel like I’m not good enough I love to read my Bible! James is my favorite chapter!

Read some ballet books! Go to your local library and check out every book that has to do with ballet! There are some really great ones out there!

Go to youtube! There are some really amazing videos! NYCB and ABT have pages on youtube that link to their videos!

Look for amazing ballet pictures! This is a great blog that always has new pictures! http://balletanddance.blog.com/

Stretch! I know is doesn’t sound fun at first, but it always feels really great when your done!

Go to your local Theatre and see a ballet, there is nothing like watching a live ballet to get you inspired!

Best wishes! I hope you stay inspired to keep doing what your doing!!!
The_Ballerina

In the Spotlight: Ballet Ireland

Founded in 1997, Ballet Ireland is been putting on 2 major productions every year. Anne Maher and Günther Falusy founded the company. Anne was trained as in ballet from the age of 5, and appeared in the 1980 Irish production of the Eurovision Song Contest. Günther Falusy, trained with the Vienna State Theatre School of Ballet, and has roles in Sleeping Beauty to Giselle, Coppelia and Swan Lake.

Ballet Ireland is not only a company, it also offers classes and summer programs, and lecture demonstrations.
To find out more about Ballet Ireland please visit their website! http://www.ballet-ireland.com

Ballet Irelands Aim
"… to develop a full-time classical ballet company of the highest quality, with a wide-ranging repertoire of international standard, which promotes an appreciation of ballet amongst people of all ages and backgrounds and generates a significant audience for performances on both national and international stages".

All pictures were taken from Ballet Irelands website.

Enjoy!

The_Ballerina

Remembering Him and Having Faith

Yesterday I had a ballet class, I prayed that it would go well and had faith that God would answer my prayers. And I had a very good class. This shouldn’t surprise you, whenever you pray you have to have faith that God will answer. It is totally useless asking for something if you don’t expect to receive it.

It says in Mark 11:22-24
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Isn’t it great to know that God always answers prayers?! Of course, sometimes the answer is no but we have to remember that God has a plan and everything that happens is sifted though His hands! I’m excited for my next ballet class! I always find it helps to pray (and have faith He will answer!) before class.

I pray God is working in YOUR life!
The_Ballerina

Welcome!

While browsing the Internet I noticed there were hardly any blogs/websites for Christian Dancers! I know for a fact that I’m not the only Christian dancer out there, so I thought it would be a good idea to try to start something for us Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I finally settled on a blog, because I figured it would be the best way to encourage others! So check back often, I really feel like this is something God has called my to keep up!

Best Wishes!
The_Ballerina