Turning Tips!

One thing that every dancer always wants to improve is turns. Why? Well, there is no limit on turning. You can do a great single pirouette? Now do a double. You can do a double en pointe? Next master a triple. You can always build on turns to make them better, which is why they're so tricky. Here are a few little tips to help push your turns to the next level.

1. Spot! Spotspotspotspot. Did I mention, spot. Seriously, spotting is necessary to do more than one turn in a row. The faster you can spot, the better. The way I practiced spotting was by sticking a bright sticky note on the wall, and always keeping my eyes on it when practicing. In the studio, pick something specific to spot until you can do it well. I like to look at the door hinge (oddly specific) when spotting in studio.

2. Don't use too much power! When a lot of people start turning, they use too much power. I did this too. Think of a turn as a balance, and just use enough power to get yourself around. Don't torque yourself up like you're about to do 50 pirouettes.

3. Practice balances. Practice balancing in passe, or in second, or whatever position you want to turn in. The longer you can balance, the longer you can turn.

4. Get on your leg. So, I'm not sure if this will make sense to everyone, but you want to "get on your leg" when turning. Hm, let me try to explain this. When in a pirouette prep position, say, in 4th, you want all your weight on your front let. This is so you can immediately spring up into a balancing position. If you have weight on both legs, it won't be as clean and efficient. If you're turning from 5th, stay on your toes! No weight in your heels at all.

5. Don't move. Okay, well obviously you have to move. What I mean by this is, while you are turning, don't shift your arms or legs. Once the turn starts, pretend like everything is glued into place. Keep your arms still, and don't move your working leg.

6. Posture! Stand up tall, engage your stomach muscles, open your chest, shoulders back and over your hips, hips even, pelvis tucked. Not too hard to remember, eh?

Hope this is helpful, good luck turning!

Pointe Shoe Padding

Hey guys! I wrote a post on this months ago, it was super long and I spent like an hour on it, and then my computer shut down and it was deleted. I didn't have the heart or patience to rewrite it then, but here it is! Better late than never!

So, there are many different types of pointe shoe padding. Some people use very little padding, others use a lot. It all depends on your feet, your shoes, and your pain tolerence. Here's a breakdown.

Fabric Padding:

Fabric padding are generally not too thick, but also not thin. They can occasionally shift around in the shoe, but is a great option. They can be hand washed and air dried. They don't rip and tear easily, and can sometimes be trimmed down, depending on the brand. Fabric tends to be pretty pricey, $15-$25, but is the most durable.













Some examples are Ouch Pouches (which come in nice colors too!), and Skinny Dips.

Gel Padding:

Gel padding is usually pretty thick. It is very protective, but can prevent you from feeling the floor, which is important, especially for beginners. They can tear or rip. They should be hand washed, air dried, and then sprinkled with baby powder or talc powder.


Examples are Eurotards Feather lights and Sansha Toe pads.

Combination Padding

Gel and Fabric can be combined. These types of pads are usually gel with a layer of fabric. The fabric can be worn on the toes, or the gel can, depending on preference. Like gel pads, these can rip and tear, however it is less likely due to the fabric. Like gel, these should be hand washed and sprinkled with powder. I use these (mine are Gellows) and have had them since I started pointe 10 months ago. I really like them, not too thin or thick, and mine have not torn. They aren't too expensive either.












Examples are Gellows and Gel Tip Toe Pillows, both by Pillows for Pointe.

Lambs Wool:

Lambs wool padding can be used as a primary padding or just as a filler for problem spots. It is probably the oldest type of padding. It can be formed into a pad that fits to your foot, or it can be bought in a pre-made pad. It gets thinner as you use it, but can be carefully washed and fluffed dry so it returns to it's original shape. It's generally very thin and versatile.



Examples are Discount Dance Supply Lambs Wool and Lambs Wool Pillows from Pillows for Pointe.

Extras:

There are types of padding other than the main toe pads like those shown above. For example, if you have a large space between your toes, you may want toe spacers. Toe spacers are like a little chunk of gel that you stick between your toes to keep your toes aligned properly. If you have problems with specific areas, you may want to get gel spots, which can be placed anywhere that needs more protection. If you have problems with a specific toe, or if your big toe is smaller than your second toe, you can get toe caps to even the length or further protect a specific toe. I use both Space Makers and Gel Tips because of the gaps between my toes and the length difference in my first and second toe.

Examples are Space Makers, Gel Spots, and Clear Stretch Gel Tips by Bunheads.

There you have it, a basic guide to pointe shoe padding. Tell me what you like, and don't like, to use in the comments!

"Dancing isn't modeling business"

Okay, so I just posted a reply to someone worried that they were not pretty or skinny enough to dance, and I responded with this video by Anaheim Ballet featuring the wonderful ballerina Maria Kochetkova. She has some inspirational words, so check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmRpNwb0NZ0

Recital Time is Nearing!

So, spring has sprung, and you know what that means; competitions and recitals for everyone! My studio does not compete in normal dance competitions, but the company does dance in festivals and some dancers go to YAGP. I do, however, have a recital coming up! The "Spring Performance" will be my first recital with my current studio, and I'm honestly a bit nervous! It's at a new location for me, so I don't have the comfort of knowing how big the stage is, or where the dressing rooms are, and that always makes me uneasy. For some reason, I have the fear that the dance will start and I'll just not be there because I'm lost in some hallway.

We have officially finished the recital dance. It's not the most fun dance I've done, but it is definitely the most technically demanding. There is a bunch of pas de chats, and soutes in arabesque, and some turns as well. The costumes are absolutely adorable, they're blue and look sort of like peasant dresses, because we're the townspeople in the dance. Maybe I'll post a picture a little later.

Tell me about your competitions and recitals below! What songs are you doing, what do you think of the dance?!

Also, I have a friend with a beauty/fashion You tube (you know who you are, I know you follow me) and I was thinking of asking her to do a stage makeup tutorial, and maybe a hair tutorial since performance time is approaching. Tell me what you think!

I'm here!!

Hi guys! I'm still alive, I promise! Thanks for the concern, I've been busy with dance and school and all sorts of stuff, but I'll have a post or two up tonight!

Sorry, again!