Saturday, December 27, 2014

New Years Resolutions

Hello! Hope everyone had a great Christmas. New Years is just in 5 days so, it is time to start thinking of new years resolutions. Don't worry I got you covered. Instead of one, plain, boring, useless, no good promise, I have made come up with twelve. You focus on one for a month and hopefully it will become a good habit by the end of the year. The overall theme for the year is a balanced lifestyle. It sounds much more rewarding than 'becoming healthy' or 'getting abs' don't you think? Ok, lets get on with it.

My Guide to a Balanced Lifestyle

January: Un-Clutter your room/ house- Raise your hand if you have a very, very, very messy room *raises hand slowly*.  I love it when my room is clean I just don't like cleaning it.  How great would it be if you didn't have to put your arms in front of you like Frankenstein to catch yourself incase you tripped over something in the middle of the night. Your mom will love it too.

February: Go to bed earlier- By getting a full nights sleep you will definitely feel the difference. Your brain can actually have the power to think. WOW! I wonder what that feels like. Seriously though. Just imagine the possibilities.

March: Cross train-  My physical therapist told me by doing repetitive exercise, such as dance, can make us more prone to injuries. Switch up the routine. For starters, do 5 minutes of an ab workout or walk your dog around the block 3 days a week. On weekends do yoga go skiing (if you have snow, duh.) Your body will thank you.

April: Cut back on junk- You need to start getting that bikini body right? It's the simple things that count. Switching out the potato chips for pretzel sticks or the soda for the water. Of course, you can have things in moderation. Visit this website to help keep track of the things you are eating. They also have an app on itunes.
Courtesy of: Giphy


May: Read more books- Yay school's almost out! By reading 15 minutes a night it will keep your brain up to speed. Results may vary

June: Drink more water- We all know we need to drink more water. Need I say more?

July: Less excuses- My favorite quote is "Are your excuses more important that your dreams?" It really reminds me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it so why make excuses?

August: Try new things- We can get in a routine of doing the same thing everyday. Go out there and be adventurous! You might even find a new hobby or talent.

September: Spend more time with family- I know we all hear it but we should be grateful for family. Sometimes we seem like we hate our parents and siblings, but someday they will be separated from us and we will wish we spent more time with them.

October: Less Screen time- It can be easy to get addicted to your phone. Believe me! Instead of chatting with your friends through instant messages meet up with them. Your relationship will grow and you have lots of fun. There is much more away from the screen.

November: Be more positive- If you're always negative life probably isn't as good as it can be. More things are possible with a good mindset. Don't wait for life to get better go out there and get it.

December: Start a journal- Reflect on the year. You will realize all the things you accomplish and it will make you feel great. Also reflect on the things you could of done better and aim for those in the coming year.





Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Perfect Christmas List for a Dancer

I know him! I know him!
Courtesy of: Celebrities in View
Now that Thanksgiving is over, everybody is in the Christmas spirit *cue Feliz Navidad* If you're anything like me, I have a hard time putting together a Christmas list. So, that is why I find this post relevant unlike my other posts.


To make myself seem the smallest bit organized I have decide to create a table of contents. Woah...

1. Stocking stuffers
2. $15-$50
3. Money is of no issue

Fancy, I know right.



Stocking Stuffers

  • $6.95 Bunheads Stitch Kit- This thread is stronger than most peoples relationships
      •   Hair Bows etc.

      •   $10.00 Foot Spray- The Body Shop has the best money can buy

      •   $12.00 Pointe Shoe glue- You can also get it at Discount Dance, but by buying this one you save money and all proceeds go to her ballet training :)

      •   Nail Kit- Gotta keep your feet looking pretty even though it seems impossible



$15-50


      •  $32.75 Ballet Turnboard- Incase any of you are unfamiliar, this simulates turning more times        than what you are used to.
    
      •  $36.75 Dance Booties- Found at Discount Dance or at Bloch's website. Comes in variety of colors and keeps your feet warm

      •  $29.50 Knit Leggings

      •  Leotards!- You can never have too many of these.





Money is of No Issue

  • Pointe Shoes- News Flash: Pointe Shoes are expensive. If you get all your relatives to buy you a pair, you can save a lot of money.
      •  $200.00 Wireless Beats Earbuds- These can be helpful during performances and competitions   when you are trying to listen to your music and dance at the same time backstage. They are a bit expensive if you can't tell, so it depends on your budget.
 
      •Gym membership- Surprisingly these can be expensive. They can cost anywhere from $35-$60 a month. If you are lucky to have a Planet Fitness near you, they cost $10 a month.

      •Ballet Tickets


If you have any other suggestions leave them in the comments.
   

Happy Holidays!
Courtesy of: Redding International Folk Dancers

    




Thursday, November 27, 2014

Get Rid of the that Thanksgiving Food Baby!

Maybe you don't mind looking like you're two months pregnant after Thanksgiving. However, if you like Black Friday shopping, buying jeans plus bloat don't mix. So, if you don't want to feel bad about yourself the morning after, I might have some tips to help.


•Drink lots of lemon water- Drink lemon water I believe is disgusting, but bearable. If you drink 24 oz of it it will flush out your tummy of all the bad stuff. During Thanksgiving you eat a lot of sodium that soaks up all the fluids. This results in water bloating. If you drink lots of water, most of your problems are solved.

What you might be doing after your meal
Courtesy of: Zimbio
•Get a full nights sleep- I don't know the science behind this one, but it always does me well.

•Black Friday shop- Shopping will take away the guilt of eating terrible and replace it with the guilt of spending too much. Carrying heavy bags can also burn lots of calories.

Courtesy of: Tumblr
•Slow down- When you eat really fast you swallow more air than usual. Also it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it is full. You might not feel full when you really are


•Eat healthier tomorrow- Your stomach has  put up with enough of your crap.





•Take it easy- Don't put yourself down too much. After all, it is only one day.

 
Courtesy of: Quick Meme
Happy Thanksgiving!





Monday, October 20, 2014

A Farewell to NYCB's Wendy Whelan

As many of you may know, yesterday, October 18,  Principal dancer Wendy Whelan did her final performance with the New York City Ballet. I have known about Wendy for many years now. Whenever I watched performances of Wendy Whelan on youtube I would always be moved by the freedom she had. The performance was sold out with in minutes. This is because she can tell a story like no one else can and her dancing is absolutely mesmerizing.


Wendy Whelan in "By 2 With & From" 
Courtesy of The New York Times

On September 29, my dad showed me this article and told me it was about Wendy Whelan. Of course I was so excited to read about her. However, I was disappointed to find out that she would be retiring. This continues to be my favorite article because it is one I can relate to. In the article it says that she has declined the role of dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy. In an interview she once said "that she didn't feel pretty enough."
Wendy Whelan as the Sugar Plum Fairy
Courtesy of Dance View Times


When I said in my first paragraph I love the freedom she had when she danced. She didn't alway have that. She has insecurities just like all of us.It wasn't until she was thirty that she learned to become relaxed in her dancing. "I ... learned to detach my claws from dancing," she told the New Yorker. This is something that I think a lot of young dancers need to learn, myself included. No teacher can teach you this. You can have the most beautiful technique, and of course you need to have that, but if you're not relaxed and having fun you're just going to blend in with the crowd. Wendy didn't learn this until age 30. If you can start applying this even to barre you will improve so much. We all have insecurities, but when you forget them that is when you really shine.

If you wish to read the full article click on this.

Look at all those flowers!
Courtesy of The New York Times




Saturday, October 18, 2014

Delicious Green Smoothie

I'm not huge fan of raw spinach. However, it is very good for you. I came across a blender advertisement at Costco. I took a sip of this green smoothie and I was surprised that the main ingredient was spinach. I took a picture of the recipe and now I drink it almost everyday.

What you will need for this treat is:
-A blender (duh)
-A large handful of spinach
-1 peeled orange
-1/2 inch slice of pineapple
-A thin slice of lemon or lime (This will make your smoothie a little less sweet. It is totally optional)
-A squeeze of agave or honey to your liking
-1 cup of ice

Now that you have all your ingredients, throw them in a blender. Blend to preferred consistency, but before you do that make sure to put on the lid. I've forgotten that step before.




Yummy!!
Courtesy of two peas & their pod



Friday, October 17, 2014

Strengthening Exercises For Pointe

Very few dancers have perfect and strong feet when they first pointe; I definitely didn't. There is a way to get around these weird characteristics that make it difficult to start pointe. With some Thera-Band and pointe exercises (Plus some blisters), your feet will be stage ready in no time!



Thera-Band Arch Strengthening (This one is very common but I thought I'd share any way)

1. Start with your Thera-Band around the ball of your foot.
2. Slowly flex and point rolling through your foot. (20x or more)



Thera Band Ankle Exercise

1. Start with your Thera-Band around the ball of your foot.

2. Cross your opposite foot on your ankle and press the Thera-Band tight
3. Sickle your foot, ew (20x or more)

4. Opposite way. This time you bebbel your foot.

Bonus!

Try picking up pieces of clothing with your toes. This will make your toes super buff


Pointe Shoe Toe Exercise

1. Rise up on to the the pleats of your shoe (3/4 pointe)

2. Push up onto to top of your box

3. Go back to 3/4 pointe (16x or more)



Exercise for hops en pointe
1. Rise up onto full pointe in parallel or first position

2. "Lock" your ankles

3. Return to first position or parallel (16x or more)



If you seek help with your alignment of your feet en pointe, then check out this video





Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The Down Low on Ballet West's Summer Intensive

This summer I attended Ballet West's Summer Intensive. I learned a lot, met some cool people, and most importantly it was super fun!

It being my first SI, I thought it was a perfect choice. It was one of the easy ones to get into. The majority of the people that auditioned got in, which was great. Even if you didn't get in you were accepted to attend a pre-intensive. It is 4 weeks long and the same hours of dance. It's a great opportunity. I got in to the full summer intensive so I don't have all that much info about the pre-intensive.

Everyday you start off at 9 am with a two hour ballet technique class. This was personally my favorite class because we could take our time doing barre exercises. We never need to cut class short. It was awesome! After, depending on your level, you had a hour and a half lunch break or pointe class. Everyday you take a repotory or variations class. That's a total of 3 hours on pointe D: Bring lots of Band-aids. You end the day with jazz or contemporary. Not too bad.

One side note is that most intensives I've heard of have an end performance; Ballet West does not. I personally like performing but it is way more fun dancing rather than cleaning formations. Another side note is that Phillip and an assistant come from Empire Dance Shop in Spokane, Washington. I would definitely take advantage of this opportunity, even if you think that your pointe shoes are the right ones for you. I had the hardest time finding the right pointe shoes and he found the perfect pair. He also brings in tons of leotards, Muk Luks, unitards, tights, and pointe shoe essentials.

Of course, there are many other programs you can go to, but if you can't decide which one visit this site.

BW Corps Artist Joshua Whitehead

BW Soloist Beckanne Sisk

BW Soloist Allison Debona