Creativity On Pointe
The creativity both resulting from and necessary for the art of dance extends far beyond the dance studio and stage. Paige Mackenzie-Meisner
Acceptance Can Be the Greatest Challenge of All: The Process of Healing From An Anxiety & Eating
Dancers have always been portrayed as impossibly thin, bones protruding in the likeness of a swan that glides across the stage effortlessly. We are delicate, sensitive, impossibly strong (contrarily), and beautiful. I was aware of these expectations since I first began dancing at the age of 6 but at the time, I didn't give them much thought. I met these expectations when I was a child but, because all of my meals were monitored and controlled by my parents, I did not have the
Supporting My Dancer Through An Anxiety & Eating Disorder
As a dancer I had witnessed it. There’s a point when the statement “you look fit” doesn’t apply any longer. At that point there’s a shift to “she is too skinny”. I had dealt with it in my close group of friends in dance and again in high school. When I created my own dance programme I coined the motto “creating positive dance experiences” and tried to integrate that into our programme. I understood that FUN had to be the driving force for kids wanting to dance and worked with
Empowering Dancers In Achieving Balance Of Mind-Body-Soul
Part of our great endeavours at Soul To Sole Dance is to provide opportunities for dancers to gain education and skills in taking care of their minds, bodies, and souls. We believe that the results are strength of character, strength of body, and subsequently strength of dancer. The S2SD Kit has a few essential tools to help dancers care for their physical selves, which in turn helps them keep their minds healthy by easing anxieties about potential for injury and by making it
Incorporating Relaxation in Dance Class
Anyone who has been to a yoga class is familiar with shavasana/savasana – the deep relaxation and meditation led by the instructor at the end of class. Otherwise known as corpse pose, this is a time to bring together the principles and practice of yoga and usually leaves participants feeling a euphoric sense of ease. Why not incorporate this sense of unifying principles and practices of the day as well as a deep sense of relaxation for participants in dance class? Personally,
Benefits of Barre Classes For Dancers
Barre integrates elements of Dance, Yoga, Pilates, and functional training while using a ballet barre as a prop. Barre classes target large core muscle groups that can be neglected in conventional strength training. The quick paced classes are choreographed to today's top 40 hits to keep participants motivated and moving! After just a few Barre classes participants can notice enhanced knee alignment, improved balance, and greater quad and hamstring strength. One may also noti
3 Benefits of Pilates for Dancers
To become the best dancer one can be, thusly reaching one’s utmost potential, it is known to dancers that it is most beneficial to study several styles under as many professionals as possible in as many settings as opportunities there are. The same is true when training outside the dance studio. The importance of out of studio training (conditioning, strength, etcetera) has been well explored and the implications are that all can lead to a healthier dancer in mind, body, and
Take 5: Physiological Benefits of Relaxation for Dancers
As dancers we are hard wired to GO GO GO, to train hard in and out of studio, and to use different techniques to improve our performance. These qualities bring us success in life but often can be detrimental to our mental, physical, and emotional health because we put excess pressure on ourselves to achieve and are especially hard on ourselves if we don’t feel we have. We know that there are numerous psychological benefits to conscious relaxation but do we consider, as often,
Conscious Music Choices
As dancers and dance teachers, we are not only inspired by movement but by music. Whether it’s a technique class, a workshop, or a choreographed piece I always choose music that inspires me, inspires the style, and inspires the dancer. Consider for a moment the music you choose in class. Aside from choosing edited music without coarse language and appropriate-for-kids content, consider choosing music that also inspires your dancers not only to DANCE but to consciousness as we
