July 9th
First of all I would like to thank you for the great website and your great blog! I am a 19-year-old ballerina and have been doing ballet recreationally since I was 5. A couple of years ago I decided to take it more seriously and to train more hours. I have three questions and I [...]
July 1st
Summer is right around the corner and I know that I need to continue dancing. I am going to take a few classes here and there but I won’t be able to take them everyday like I usually do at school. (performing arts) Is that OK? I mean I guess I could do a barre [...]
April 14th
What is your feeling about adults (20′s and beyond) dancing on pointe? Some people (dancers and teachers) feel that adults cannot be successful on pointe, and that, indeed, it is risky because of their “advanced age”. I have a group of 30-45 year olds who do quite well, thank you very much. They are strong, [...]
March 13th
Dear Deb, I lately struggle lots with my knees, especially when I do a plie type exercises in second position, this is in gym and dance classes. I have to admit I am 40, but have been dancing all my life. Was wondering if you have any suggestions to strengthen my knees. Regards, Lisel Great [...]
March 5th
I am a 15 year old ballet student who hopes to pursue a career in dance. Right now I have an achilles tendon injury that requires passive healing, a lot of physical therapy and may take many months to heal. I have been off of dance for about 2 months now, and I’m having a [...]
February 6th
There was a comment on the Splits entry that I’d like to use as this week’s post. Heidi writes Do you recommend a particular approach for beginning training for splits. Are there other stretches that should be done first. Should a student demonstrate flexibility in other ways (e.g. be able to touch her toes) before [...]
November 22nd
Training For Splits #1: I have my splits, but they aren’t straight (my hips aren’t straight). I’m wondering; is it necessary for your hips to be straight in the splits to be able to do good kicks and stuff? Or is it okay to not have straight hips in ballet? Thanks!!! Talya #2: I am [...]
January 17th
Greetings! Hope everyone is keeping warm! One quick announcement before we get into the newsletter. I have created two hip flexibility assessment forms. One is a form that you can duplicate (in case you want to test your students) and mark your results down, and the second document explains how to test for your turnout, [...]
January 4th
I’m a captain of my school dance team and our younger girls seem to be lacking in mainly knowing their center, their strength there and how to hold it (as well as their strength in general). I was wondering if you know of any exercises that could help? Thanks, Rebecca Great question, Rebecca! And a [...]
July 23rd
It was brought to my attention that some of you were receiving blank emails when I was sending out the notice of another newsletter being posted. I have hopefully resolved this issue! I appreciate those who took the time to let me know all was not right! Here’s the Q&A for today. Deborah, I have [...]