The DON'TS of Taking Ballet Pictures

Every dancer will get a photo taken of them for whatever reason: Instagram, Christmas Cards, audition photos, you name it. But there is a right way to do them. At least if you actually want to be taken seriously.

1. Tuck in your ribbons!- I went to Ballet West's performance of Swan Lake and in the program was a picture of a obviously inexperienced dancer's feet en pointe. That's not the point (He He get it).  HER RIBBONS WERE COMPLETELY OUT!¡! I can understand if your ribbons come out in class (and in class only) on accident, but when you are taking a picture of only your feet, it's not that hard to tuck in your ribbons.

Ewwww
Courtesy of: Durham Jones & Pinegar

2. Have good technique- oooohhh where do I even start with this? It is pretty self explanatory. Instead of explaining my self I will show you a video where someone has absolutely no ballet training but decided to film an ad anyway.

Seriously, what the f**k is this?

Courtesy of: Free People

Has she really been dancing since she was three? I don't think so. Here are some links to the response of the public. People were obviously not happy so they hired professionals to do it instead. Thank god.

Much better

Courtesy of: Ballet Zaida

I found this parody of the Free People ad and it was absolutely hilarious. I peed myself a little. Here it is .

3. Wear the right outfit- you shouldn't be taking dance pictures in skinny jeans. It's just common sense. If you want to look more casual in your photos I suggest wearing a leo with no tights and your hair down.

Probably not a good idea

Courtesy of: Img Arcade

Those are all my tips for ballet photos. If you have any other suggestions leave them in the comments!

Finding Confidence

One of the things that is said most often to me is that I need to have more confidence. I think to myself it isn't just that easy. So, how do you find confidence? The dictionary definition is as follows: "a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something." Just reading the words feels empowering doesn't it? If you believe that you can you will! It's not as hard as you think. Now for a little story 3...2...1...

The winter of 2014 I was about to audition for my first summer intensive at Ballet West. I remember being so nervous I could barely talk. It was in a setting I had never been in before. 80 girls packed into a studio, a piano player, different teaching syllabus, and the whole class was on pointe. I was not doing well. In between barre and center I remember thinking to myself, " I need to relax." I pretending that I was just taking a regular class. Once in that mindset I was more comfortable. When I was dancing I was doing way better than before. Long story short, I was accepted! It made me realize that I can do anything if I have the right mindset. I also realized that beating myself down isn't going to get me anywhere. Great story right?

Finally, I will link to Juliet Doherty's TED talk. It was about being great. Everybody can be great and is great in their own way. It is time for dancer to stop comparing themselves. If we do we will never be happy because there is always someone better than us. One of my favorite quote from her speech is, "It is time for you to stop competing and start dancing." Of course you will still be in the competitions that you enter in, but the score that is on the sheet does not define you. Another favorite quote of hers that is, "I authorize myself to be great." Remember, you are the only person that make yourself be great. 

Keep this is in mind whenever you are feeling down on yourself or when in a stressful situation. When in the right mindset, the sky is the limit. We are all great in our own ways. Authorize yourself to be great. 

Courtesy of: Polyvore

Best Ballet Movies

1. Maos Last Dancer- This movie is about a young boy, Li Cunxin, who is chose by the chinese government to study ballet. He later travels to Houston to dance with the Houston Ballet. Meanwhile, he is secretly dating a dancer, Elizabeth Mackey. The Chinese government wants to bring him back to China. He struggles with the decision whether he should stay in America or go back to China and be with his family. This is my personal favorite movie. The movie is inspired by a autobiography written by Li Cunxin.

Courtesy of: Tumblr

2. Black Swan- Nina is a ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Her life revolves entirely around ballet. She is picked as the artistic directors first choice to be the Swan Queen in the ballet Swan Lake. She finds herself competing for the part with a fellow dancer. This causes her to lose a complete grip on reality.

Courtesy of: Tumblr

3. The Turning Point- Telling the stories of two women. Deedee left her dance career to become wife, mother, and teacher in Oklahoma. Emma became a prima ballerina at American Ballet Theatre. Both want what the other has. They are brought together when Deedee's daughter joins the company.

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne

Courtesy of: allmovie

4. First Position- Pretty sure everyone has heard of this movie. Incase you haven't, it is following the lives of 6 young, promising dancers. They compete at Youth America Grand Prix in New York which could change their dancing careers.

Miko Fogarty 

Courtesy of: Tumblr

5. Ballerina- A documentary that follows five ballerinas from the Mariinsky Ballet. Really all I have to say about that one.

Courtesy of: IMP awards

What Judges are Looking for in Summer Intensive Auditions

It's summer intensive audition season! Thinking of that gives me the chills. It is personally nerve racking because it is hard to know what the judges are looking for in order to get in. So, with a little research among the various companies I have come up with some criteria that judges are looking for. 

It's obvious that the judges are looking for technique and ability level. On one of my audition forms has a rubric kind of thing and they are looking for physique, flexibility, turn out, turns, petite allegro, grand allegro, and strength. My tips for getting good marks is make a list of things that you struggle with technique wise. These include habits that you have. For example, I could put that I raise my shoulders and my fingers and face tense up when I am concentrating. Or if you struggle with adagio, like me, focus on adagio in technique class and remember correction. Of course there is more but I am not going to bore you with my long list. Also, make sure you stretch and do core work EVERY NIGHT from now on. Don't be worried if you aren't perfect in all these elements. If judges see you have potential and that you are teachable you have no reason to worry.

In auditions, having a personality is key. However, this does not mean goofing off. If the girl or boy behind you has a smile on his face and you are straight faced as Kanye West is in most of his photos, they are most likely going to pick him or her. You want to show them that you love dancing. They aren't going to pick someone that they think doesn't like dancing. Also, a good attitude is something they are looking for. If you mess up try not to show it or get mad at yourself. The judges might not even notice the mistake and if they do it will be seen that you have a good attitude.

No matter what have fun. Just relax and everything will come naturally. Good luck!

Courtesy of Examiner

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.

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

• $16.99 Thera-Band Stretch Strap

      •  $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

    

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!