January 31st
Today’s Q&A post includes an excerpt from Train Your Brain: A Teen’s Guide to Well Being. Enjoy!
I just found your web site and blog and it is really interesting.
I have an almost 7 years old ballerina at home, and I have some concerns.
She’s very lean, but she’s not so flexible and I don’t [...]
January 20th
Anneliese Burns Wilson was kind enough to talk to me about training for balance and why it is so important! You can listen to the podcast by clicking here
Thanks to all who took the quick survey. I’m going to keep it open for a few more days and then I’ll send more information out [...]
January 1st
When teachers say, tuck under or pull in your bellybutton, what is happening to the body anatomically? What are better catch phrases to use?
You bring up a very important point that dance teachers need to be aware of. Our language should be as anatomically accurate as possible. As teachers, we should be aware of the [...]
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 a professional [...]
October 16th
Someone recommended I e-mail you, because we have been unable to get answers from doctors and physical therapists who know enough about ballet.
My daughter, stepped on a pencil a year ago. She is 14 and loves ballet. The pencil graphite lodged deep in the bottom of her foot. She was operated on by a good [...]
August 3rd
I have been trying to dance ballet and I am so exasperated. What the heck does it mean to close the rib cage and how can i acheive this sensation? Should my abdominals feel hard or soft when I move? How can I possibly get the right alignment? I feel as [...]
June 12th
The goal for conditioning is to prepare our bodies to do the unusual and unique movements that separates dance from pedestrian movement. There are three principles that need to be addressed in strength training for dancers in order to maximize your efforts. The three principles are overload, specificity and reversibility. We’ll start with the principle [...]
May 12th
I’ve embedded a brief video on analyzing an excellent and effective turnout exercise. It looks deceptively simple, but isn’t. I encourage all of you to try it yourself and with your students! After you click the link below it will need a moment or two to load – if you click play [...]
May 4th
click here to view a quick clip on demi pliés. Start to train your eye to see assymetries! I’ve got a few spaces left for the workshop in June – only 20 total participants. Come join me!
March 22nd
There are a few slots left for the Analyze This workshop, June 19-21. Check the workshop link on the website for more information. Also…. I will be teaching a workshop in Boston, one day, Wednesday, July 8th. More info about that workshop will be posted shortly on the website – so keep [...]