TIPS ON MEMORIZING
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
TIPS ON MEMORIZING DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY
Mark the boxes of techniques you use and work for you.
Many people use different techniques to help them remember a set of choreography. Here are a few ideas to help you stay on track. At the beginning of a new year, many dance students are returning from winter break and beginning to learn their routines for a summer production. Whether you have one or 20 dance pieces to learn, it is important to have a strategy to remember the choreography. Here are a few ways to look at your choreography and break it down into smaller parts, in order to remember the entire piece.
o Counting
Dances are usually counted in eights (as in, two bars of music equals one eight and would be counted as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). A way to remember the choreography for a piece would be to think about what happens on each count, in relation to the music. The emphasis points in a certain piece of music, for example, may be on the counts of four and eight. In this case, you would want to remember what step you are doing on each count of four and eight. If you can memorize these steps, then you can begin to piece together the other six counts, as transition steps to the main emphasis points.
o Memorizing Phrases
In any choreography, there are certain phrases, or groups, of steps that link together to form an entire piece. If you can memorize each important phrase, then you piece together the rest of the choreography as transitions between the phrases. An example of two phrases would be “ball-change, chaine, leap turn”, and “walk, walk, pirouette, jump to second”.
If you can remember these phrases, then it would be easier to remember that there is, for example, a four-count walk to a new position in between them. This will help you to link phrases and remember the entire piece of choreography.
o Studying Your Choreographer
If performing in a professional show, or if working with a new or guest choreographer in your studio, it is a good idea to research their previous work. This can help you to understand themes and similar phrases in your piece. For example, if your choreographer typically follows a calypso jump with a roll to the floor, then you can probably expect him or her to include this in your piece. When it is included, you will be aware of the combination ahead of time, and will be more likely to remember the sequence of steps in your own piece. You can find examples of many choreographers’ work on their individual websites, competition sites, or on YouTube by searching their name.
At all times, it is important to keep the line of communication open between you and your teacher or choreographer. If you are having difficulty remembering a piece or a certain combination of phrases or steps, you should let them know that you are concerned. They may provide you with a trick or tip to help you more easily remember the choreography. They may also decide to change a sequence of steps if the majority of the group is having trouble with that section.
Students will usually have up to five months to learn a piece of choreography, before cleaning it for performance. During these five months, you should try a variety of strategies to remember the choreography. As always, practicing the choreography alone and with others in the group outside of class can also be a big help. In the last month before a performance, students should know the choreography very well, so that the entire piece can be cleaned and perfected before going on stage.
BECOMING A BETTER DANCER
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
BECOMING A BETTER DANCER
Practice makes perfect. Of course, no-one’s perfect, but everything can be improved. Practicing can definitely improve your technique, steps, etc.
QUESTION: How often do you practice weekly?
Stretch! Stretching can improve your flexibility as well as your dancing. The more stretched you are, the better jumps will look, steps, etc. Stretching can also help prevent injuries. Even small streches like jumping-jacks or stretching in the running position helps stretch out your hips for more flexibility.
QUESTION: How often do you stretch out – outside class time?
Eat right. A good diet (not one of the ones you go on to lose weight!) can make you a better dancer. The better you eat, the better you are.
QUESTION: Are you eating healthy or mostly junk food?
Exercise. Exercising can help you be a better dancer, too. Crunches can make jumps look stronger and make it easier to keep your balance on turns and steps that you have to hold.
QUESTION: How many crunches can you do at this time? What is your goal of how many crunches by the end of the season?
Do ballet. Whatever your choice of dance, ballet is the foundation of all dance. It can help improve your technique and your posture.
QUESTION: Do you appreciate ballet? As this article stated, your teacher says the same thing. Ballet is the foundation to all dances! If you stay focused on your ballet exercises, it will help you become a better dancer. Do you take your ballet exercises seriously? Do you practice ballet at home?
Work on your confidence. Even if you’re not out on that dance floor, roll your shoulders back and hold your head high, so you look confident on the stage, too. If you’re a competitive dancer, confidence helps boost your score.
QUESTION: How would you rate your confidence in dance? Low, Fair, or Good?
FOUR RITUALS HOW TO BECOME A BETTER DANCER
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
FOUR RITUALS HOW TO BECOME A BETTER DANCER
Stretch. We all stretch during warm-ups, to cool down, or if we feel pain or discomfort. But what about during your time off? Simply taking time when you’d normally be sitting on the couch and, instead, getting down into some simple floor stretches will do wonders for keeping (and improving) your flexibility. And make sure to do all of the stretches you know; repeating the easy ones over and over won’t help you and might even make you bored.
Learn. You mean you’ve never been to the ballet studio down the street? You’ve often seen the sign for Thursday night salsa, but always been afraid to go? Taking classes will not only work your body and improve your coordination, but it will also help train your brain to remember and retain choreography, which helps you learn more, faster. Classes also help dancers maintain a dance language; knowing and using the terminology often means more and better communication with teachers, choreographers and other dancers.
Practice. No one gets every step right the first time, but the good dancers keep practicing all the way home. This time, instead of throwing down your bag and feeling grateful that you have another week until you have to try again, make an effort to solve the problem immediately. Sometimes breathing and taking a moment to clear your head is all it takes to make the footwork come into focus. Then you can go back to class next week and be sure that you’ve gotten it right!
Watch. Sitcom writers learn from watching television; musicians learn from listening to the masters at work. Why wouldn’t dancers learn from watching as many other dancers as possible? Taped concerts, documentaries, even live performances are wonderful ways to better understand trends in the dance world and the abilities of other dancers out there. Who knows; maybe watching other dancers on stage might inspire you to action!
HOMEWORK: What are some of the things you lack or need to do more of to improve yourself as a dancer?
What are some of the things you currently do to improve yourself as a dancer?
OVER COME STAGE FRIGHT
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
HOW TO OVERCOME STAGE FRIGHT
All performers have experienced the ‘backstage jitters’. It is natural for a dancer to feel nervous right before going on stage. Oftentimes, this nervousness can hurt a dancer’s performance. As we become seasoned performers, we learn how to use this nervousness to our advantage.
This tension comes from the adrenaline that naturally will release into the body. It is hard to feel calm once this happens! This will happen when a person embarks on a venture that requires a great deal of courage. Dancing on stage can be downright scary at times. One way to better perform is to have been on stage enough times…to just naturally feel comfortable! This unfortunately isn’t an option for less experienced dancers. But there are a few things a dancer can do to lessen this tension and to use it towards the performance ahead.
QUESITON: What is your stage fright level? 1-5 (one being least – five being a lot)
Be Ready
* Before you get called to the wings by the stagehands; practice breathing and stretching. Make sure you are completely warmed up, stretched and calm. Doing deep breaths is very important so you have a great surplus of oxygen flowing through your lungs and muscles. By the time you get to the wings, you should be calm enough to handle last minute nerves.
* Never go on a stage without practicing the piece at least twice. Being physically warmed up will assure a better performance and that should ease a little tension right there.
* Make sure you have enough time the night before, to sleep at least 9 hours that night. This will help your performance and your tension.
* Do stay hydrated and have some protein in your pre-performance meal. Don’t eat heavy but try to eat enough so that you feel energetic. Eat 3 to 4 hours before your performance so that it is digested for energy stores at the time you’ll need it. Do not eat sugar or drink caffeine. And absolutely no smoking or alcohol!
* Make sure your dance bag , costume(s) and stage makeup are all packed and checked the night before.
* Arrive at the venue at least an hour before you’re required to be there. This will give you time to practice on the stage area and will lesson your chances of any late arrival which will in turn cause increased tension.
* Try your shoes on the floor when it’s rolled out. Make any last minute adjustments according to the floor.
Be Focused
* Make sure you listen to your music and visualize the performance before you go onstage. Visualization is a very powerful tool and can relax the mind and body.
* Don’t let a chatty friend take all your crucial last moments before a performance! Try to center yourself and stay in a very focused state of mind.
* Try to use whatever mood you’re feeling that day towards your performance. Any energy is good energy. This is the difference between a good dancer and a phenomenal performer.
Be positive
* Backstage nervousness is also a twist of anticipation and excitement. Remember these other factors and keep your mindset positive. Anticipate your best performance yet, and enjoy the excitement of your finally getting to perform this piece after all the hard work you’ve done! Enjoy instead of dread it! Be pro-active!
* Dancers need to come together as a group in a positive light pre-performance. Sometimes it helps to pray together, massage each other’s shoulders or do a pep cheer! This pep cheer can be a team ritual that gets every one in the mode and into the spirit. It brings a positive energy to the group that translates on stage.
* Have confidence in yourself! You have worked hard and know the choreography. You were chosen for this part because you earned it! Have pride in your part no matter how large or small it may be. This humble and thankful mindset will give off an inner happiness that will shine for your fellow dancers, your choreographer and your audience.
A dancer without jitters is a bird without wings. Use this energy towards your movement and know that it is normal. Enjoy this excitement and relish every time you’re in the position to be coming out of those wings. We can’t be dancers forever! So enjoy these moments, and soar on that stage! You are there for a reason, let it shine!
HOMEOWRK: Think about your last performance. After reading the article, what are some of the methods you have used? What are some of the methods you will use next time? How did you handle your stage fright?
DANCE CLASS ETIQUETTE
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
DANCE CLASS ETIQUETTE
Dancers spend long hours in the classroom. It’s no doubt that the classroom starts to become the social circle after so many days and hours with the same people. When dancers don’t follow a certain code of conduct, they tend to disturb a classroom while they’re trying to focus and learn. Granted most dancers are very young, but that isn’t an excuse for poor choices in conduct, attire, chatter or attendance. Disrupting the focus of others dancers is a disservice and should be corrected immediately by the dancer themselves. We all slip, and make mistakes, but taking responsibility and making certain we note not to repeat the offense is evidence of good character in a dance student.
# Chatter During Class
No matter the level of a dancer, there is no excuse for talking during a class or rehearsal. It is entirely disrespectful to the teacher/choreographer and to fellow dancers. The worst offense is talking while the instructor or choreographer is also talking, that is not only impolite in general, but beyond rude. This person is here, dedicating their time and effort, to make you a better dancer. Abstain from talking during class as much as possible and show your choreographer or teacher that you are focused and eager to learn. It goes a long way.
QUESTION: Do you talk and goof around in class a lot?
# Cliques
Dancers inevitably form friendships with other dancers. Think about this though: do you remember walking into class as a new student and noticing the cliques of girls who were unwilling to be friendly and say hello to you? Don’t be one of them. Make certain that you know ALL of your fellow dancers in your classes and performances. Make an effort to make people feel welcome and comfortable. Too often dancers get arrogant and they don’t associate with other students who aren’t on their “level”. That shows immaturity and lack of compassion. Everyone starts somewhere and you never know where you might bump into that one dancer you gave the cold shoulder too later down the road. They just might be the next big choreographer that doesn’t give you that job because they remembered your attitude. It is hard enough to learn as a newcomer, so be kind and open to your fellow dancers.
QUESTION: Do make sure everyone is accepted equally in the program?
# Inappropriate Attire
Young dancers are in shape and full of confidence. At a certain point in training they will feel they need to express themselves with other things such as fashion. Not all classrooms are strict, but a dancer should not wear clothes that will distract themselves or others from their main focus. When dancing, the proper dance gear should be worn per dance style. Every dance clothing outlet has a variety of clothing that is appropriate. The dance instructor will usually request a specific type of attire that should be adhered to. Remember, every time a dancer goes our on a limb with their attire, it usually draws their focus away from the dancing. Dressing too sexy or too punky is not going to help your dance training, save it for the street!
QUESTION: Do you wear the proper clothing and shoes weekly?
# Being Tardy or Absent
There are always those handful of dancers that arrive late to a class or a rehearsal or miss often. When a dancer comes in late to class it not only affects the focus of the entire class and the teacher, but it doesn’t help the late dancers own focus as well. Coming in late to class usually isn’t allowed since lacking a proper warm-up could cause serious injury. Dancers who are late and/or absent from their classes and rehearsals really throw the entire group off. Especially when there is choreography involved. It is very rude, disruptive and disrespectful to everyone involved. If a dancer regularly can’t make a class on time, or if they have to miss more than a couple times, then maybe they should just drop the class or performance schedule. There are other dancers out there that are eager for each and every class they have in their schedule, and dancers who are hard-working and eager to take your spot in that dance!
QUESTION: Are you dependable?
# Spacing in Class
Every so often a classroom will be a bit crowded. Students need to be extra careful in these situations to allow even and proper spacing so that all the students can get maximum visibility and use out of the class. It is uncouth for a dancer to step directly in front of another dancer who was already spaced and there before them. Certain dancers choose the front of the class, that is fine, but if you aren’t already placed in your “spot” before the rest of the class settles in theirs, don’t walk in front of the others and block their view. It isn’t thoughtful or kind.
QUESTION: Do you know where your dance space is?
# Respect for the Teacher
The worst offense a dance student can do above all the others, is to disrespect the teacher. Disrespect comes in many forms. The above mentioned are some of them. Another form is your body language and eye contact or lack thereof. When a teacher is talking, you should be listening quietly with a perky ear. Think of their lesson as an investment to your dancing education, be thankful for it and show courteous behavior. Each time a teacher says a correction out loud, assume it is you and check to see if you need the same adjustment. Smile and nod at your instructor when you get a correction. And if you’re with a choreographer, don’t challenge their ideas; you are their canvas to paint on. It is not anyone’s place but the choreographer to determine the spots in the dance and what you will be doing or wearing.
QUESTION: Do you listen to the teacher?
If you act professional in all your dance endeavors you will inevitably be a better dancer. A dancer needs to be certain they are kind, courteous and ultimately focused. So anything that is done against that grain will produce undesirable results. If a dancer finds they cannot or will not follow this code of conduct, maybe they should look into some other interests that don’t require this amount of discipline. Maybe they just aren’t cut out to be a true dancer. So be on your best behavior and you will really shine as a fellow dancer and dance student. Learning to take class is the first step to becoming a professional in the dance industry. Be smart and mindful to achieve dancing success!
BRAIN VS BRAWN
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
BRAIN VS BRAWN – The Key to a Dancer’s Success
Remember the age old joke of dancers using more brawn than brain? Most dance students seem to think that technique is everything. A dancer’s success is indeed based on physical capacity, but it is equally based on mental capacity. So what is it that makes some dancers stand out more than others? Sure, great genetics of the body combined with talent will do the trick, but mainly it is the mind and will of the dancer that got them there.
A Smart Dancer Progresses Faster
In order to not only perform well, but to progress, dancers must retain a mental stability. Focus, comprehension, memorization skills and adaptation are all extremely important to a dancer’s progression.
QUESTION: Do you stay focused?
Some dancers take class after class and don’t seem to get any better while others just fly by the rest of their classmates. Is this because they are just better? No. It is because they know how to take class. A dancer who learns how to stay engaged and connected with the lesson on a constant basis discovers more tips to progress and spends more effort on corrections. A dance student must listen to the corrections given to any class member and personally apply it.
QUESTION: Are you the dancer that progresses because you are well focused and give your all? OR Are you the dancer that is lacking focus and not giving your all?
Let’s face it; some dancers have a hard time getting ahead because of the lack of focus. If the mind isn’t memorizing quick enough and the choreography seems to be a mental challenge during every class or rehearsal then maybe it’s time to take a deeper look into the cause. A dancer who cannot focus is virtually useless when it comes to performing.
HOMEWORK: If you are a dancer that struggles with progress and improvement in dance and techniques please read the tips and advice below and apply them in class weekly!
A smart dancer decides they are going to be great and then they are. They give it every last drop of mental capacity as well as physical. So no, it is not true that dancers are all brawn. It takes a certain type of intellectual to study ballet, or to learn the art of tap dancing.
Tips on Focus and Memorization
There are a number of things a dancer can do to increase focus:
* Go over choreography before and after rehearsal (or class).
* No talking or daydreaming during class!
* Leave the cell phone turned off during class or practice.
* Get enough rest at night; a lack of sleep will surely cause focus to waiver.
* Keep emotions in check: if emotions are causing a lack of focus, try to use them as an energy source which helps rather than hinders progress.
* Dress for the occasion; pick out a favorite dance outfit or take extra preparation time before walking into the classroom.
* Take good care of the diet; dancers who lack certain vitamins or minerals may find it hard to concentrate! Also, a lack of fats for the brain can easily ruin a dancer’s focus (a dieting dancer can easily run into this problem); take Omega 3, Evening Primrose Oil or Flaxseed Oil supplements as well as a multi-vitamin.
* A dehydrated dancer is a distracted dancer: make sure to drink at least two quarts of water daily (64 oz).
* Visualize a Great Performance! Many great dancers practiced dancing in their heads as often as in their bodies!
There are so many distractions for each and every dancer ranging from stage fright and personal body image, to simply talking too much! Dance takes 110% focus. A dancer who learns how to master this in the classroom will be more likely ready to master it in auditions and on stage. A mentally sharp dancer is the type of dancer who finds real success. A dancer who knows how to focus their mind is most likely going to find success in the dance world. Being alert, quick and smart is just as important to a dancer’s career as physical ability. One certainly cannot succeed without the other. Remember, dance from the heart and head and the body will follow!
QUESTION: Based off the article regards to distractions, what distractions in dance do you have? For example, stage fright, talk to much, lack of focus, so forth. List all areas you need to work on and improve.
Dancing can be quite emotional. Not just when enraptured in movement, but by one’s own dance surroundings and peers. Keeping things under control on an emotional front helps a dancer to concentrate on the task at hand; taking class, auditioning or performing. There are so many distractions but it is crucial that a dancer keep their cool in order to do their best.
HOMEWORK/QUESTION: As the article stated dancing can be very emotional. It is important that dancers recognize and resolve emotional issues to help them stay focused in class. List all things that have affected your class focus that occur before, after, and during dance class.
To be a dancer it takes a confidence that shines through, even in the storms of adversity. A dancer needs to be able to keep calm even in the most turbulent times. Believing in oneself is the key; never give in to the negative. Those who chose to not give in to their own worst critic may find enough strength to pull through in the toughest of times.
It’s as if one should remain in their own “bubble”, we call this bubble serenity and focus. It actually helps to stay in this state of mind so the energy isn’t drawn out but rather, it is pulled in and used for dancing. Negative energy can really mean the difference between a good class, audition, performance, and a bad one. Some common negative thoughts a dancer must fight against are:
1.Mean girls… “Why aren’t I in their clique”? Everyone has been in the position where they feel left out. Dance class is not the exception. Sometimes a clique forms and popularity battles find their way into the classroom. On occasion the “popular crowd” can be quite abrasive causing other dancers to feel resentful, anxious or angry. This won’t help a dancer focus on the task at hand if their energy is drawn out because of misperceptions or even true perceptions of their peers. The key is to rob this situation of ones energy entirely. Always behave and be kind – do not give in to negative notions. Chances are that those perceived mean girls are just a bit more talkative and/or confident and they don’t mean any harm.
On the flip side, there will always be inconsiderate people, and perhaps they are indeed “mean”. Just feel sorry for them and pay no mind. Focus on dancing and improvement despite any obstacle in our path. If one finds themselves actually getting “picked on” then notify the teacher and ones parents if it gets bad. This type of situation should be dealt with swiftly. Jealousy always surrounds dancers, especially the good ones!
QUESTION: Cliques and “better than attitude” is never a good addition to any dance team or group. Are you creating, forming, or a part of cliques in the class? Do you find yourself feeling your better than or belittling others?
2.It’s not fair… “I should’ve gotten that part”! Or “The teacher likes her better”… In the dance world, things aren’t always fair. Sometimes a dancer gets overlooked at an audition while a dancer with less ability (seemingly) gets the part. Sometimes a dancer feels slighted in class when the same student gets called upon time and time again to demonstrate. These things are natural, and they should be used as a tool to work harder. It should not cause a dancer’s self esteem to vanquish, but it should humble a dancer and give them the drive to do better.
It is true that the dance world can be unfair sometimes. The key is to not focus so hard on those incidents, and instead to rise above them. Sometimes a girl will get a part simply because she is the daughter of the choreographer; or maybe a dancer gets called upon constantly not for ability, but because she pays for more classes… These things just happen. We can’t stop the world from being unfair, but we can stop ourselves from being unfair! Most of all we can stop being unfair to ourselves and just brush it off and move forward. That is what any smart dancer would do.
QUESTION: KKZ has many offers for leading parts and top roles. What are your ideas how you feel leading parts should be assigned? Based on years of involvement? Talent and ability? Attendance and consistence?
3.I’m not good enough… ”I’m not tall enough, arched enough, thin enough, pretty enough”… Continuously playing negative thoughts in one’s head is entirely self-defeating. And guess what? If a dancer believes this about themselves then they become it! Faith and belief go a long way in the dance world. Giving up and giving in to self-defeating thoughts will only run a dancer into the ground. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! This plays a big part in the ballet world; dancers who are built a little thicker or perhaps don’t have the right “look” may feel at odds. This isn’t a good reason to dwindle on effort. This is exactly the right reason to persist and stay dedicated! Don’t let negative thoughts cause defeat!
QUESTION: Do you have an I’m not good enough attitude?
If a dancer does not get a part or is not let into a school for physical reasons then that is not the right school or part for the particular dancer! Who wants to be a part of such an institution that judges on anything other than the ability of the dancer? Institutions like that tend to be too stressful for any human being and shouldn’t be sought out anyhow. It isn’t worth the hard work, soul and life of a dancer. A dancer should be encouraged, enriched and cared for in any school or job they pursue.
Every dancer goes through a period of adjustment on the inside when they find themselves in a new dance environment. The key is to not give in to negative thoughts and to always behave in a just and kind manner. Every dancer needs to focus on the task at hand and remain serene and hard working. Any outside distractions do not deserve one’s attention! Keep on track by working hard, being kind, and focusing one’s energy on positive perceptions. This type of positive thinking shines from within and beams out in one’s dancing. Be kind to other’s no matter what and most of all: be kind to yourself!! It goes a long way.
IMPROVING FLOOR WORK & TECHNIQUES
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
IMPROVE FLOOR WORK AND TECHNIQUES
Dancers today are under a lot of stress; there are more technically advanced dancers than ever before, and one has to go above and beyond to stand out from the crowd. One important aspect of any dancing routine is choreographic depth. One way to showcase depth, is to develop dancing “levels”; these levels usually include at least a section of floor-work, which is dance movement done on the ground.
Every modern, jazz and lyrical dancer finds a time when floor-work starts to take a toll. Many dancers come home with bumps, bruises and fatigued bodies that come from working on floor-work routines. Let’s face it; floor-work takes a lot of finesse, strength and development. When a dancer continuously faces floor-work challenges in their dance routines, they have to take extra measures to keep up with the choreography. There are many exercises a dancer can do, to improve many aspects of their floor-work.
Upper Body Strength
Upper body strength is a major part of fluid floor-work movement. The first thing a dancer should strive to do is to increase upper body strength. Usually this comes easier to the gents, so all you girls out there need to take time a few days a week, to develop this area of the body!
Push-ups: A great way to increase push-up capacity is to hold the body in a plank position, and slowly lower the body all the way to the ground. If this is too hard try resting the body on the knees. The key to this exercise is to lower the body as slow as possible. After completing this exercise five times, try to do as many push-ups as possible. Do them until fatigue. Make sure the body is a solid plank, and use those stomach muscles! At the end of every month a dancer should have increased capacity for number of push-ups by at least ten.
Pull-ups: Now this one is more challenging for the ladies as well. A good push up really works the shoulders. Try finding an outdoor jungle gym, or acquire a pull-up bar. If a dancer cannot complete a single push-up then try to hold the body up by jumping up to the bar, and holding onto the bar with the arms bent. Hold this position and lower the body as slow as possible. Then try as hard as possible to pull the body back up. Continuing this exercise a few times a week will lead to an eventual pull-up, which will multiply with hard work.
Hand Stands: Try doing a hand-stand against a wall, and hold it for as long as possible. Eventually graduate to balancing a hand stand in mid air, then try walking on the hands! This balance will increase strength all over the body and will certainly strengthen floor-work capacity!
Core Strength
One of the most crucial aspects to dance form is core strength; this intensifies even more with floor-work. Anyone who lacks in this area needs to work on it pronto!
Crunches: One of the best ways to increase core strength is with a good old crunch. Make sure the crunch is coming from the center of the core, and the head must be faced towards the ceiling. Meet one knee at a time, with a bent elbow and continue rocking this crunch until exhaustion.
V-balances: Lay on your back with the arms above the head, and the legs stretched out straight, come up as far as possible while bending at the waist only, and lift the arms and legs to the sky. Keep them straight and stay balanced; the longer the balance the higher the strength.
Leg-lifts: This exercise requires an exercise unit that can be found in the local gym. The upper body stays suspended, and hangs down, while being supported on the forearms, which are holding onto two bars. Lift the
IMPROVE FLOOR WORK AND TECHNIQUES CONTINUED
lower body with the legs straight out in front (in a 90 degree angle), and try to get the lower body as high as possible before controlling the lift back down. Do this until the muscles are tired. This can also be done while laying on the floor, keep the body straight and the arms out to both sides; now lift the lower portion of the body up, with the legs pointed up to the ceiling. Repeat.
Back Bends: Push the body up to a back-bend, and hold for ten seconds. Now come down so the body is resting on the upper back, while the lower body is still raised. Now lower the body down to the ground one vertebrae at a time until the tail bone is one the floor, make sure to push the stomach muscle toward the ground while doing this. Repeat this three times, and try to do this exercise a few times a week.
Transitions
Every floor-work routine comes with a multitude of transitions. The key to beautiful floor-work is to keep those transitions precise and clean. If the transitions are not understood, it would be wise to get with a fellow dancer, or the choreographer, to find out exactly how the transitions are supposed to look. Transitions need clarity and fluidity, so try thinking of phrasing and musicality with each movement.
Another important aspect of floor-work, is getting to the ground and back up gracefully! Sometimes choreography requires a controlled fall, and the dancer must drop to the floor quickly, and in some awkward positions at that! It is important to retain confidence, and a mental connection with the music and message, so the body just follows. Try the following exercises to help with controlled falls, and proper ways to get back up from a floor position:
Jump and Roll: Start in a neutral standing position and jump up, then drop to the floor, sitting on the behind, roll back in a rocking position, then pop back up in one smooth motion into another jump. Repeat this exercise until it looks like one movement. Notice how the body uses inertia to complete the movement in a fluid-like fashion. Retain this feeling and mind-set when doing a quick drop to start floor-work movement, and when getting back up to an upright dancing position.
Another exercise to try is to get up without using the arms every single time you arise off the floor in any dance classes. Always find new ways to rise without pushing off the floor with the hands. This will improve strength, balance, and poise.
With hard work and determination, any dancer can gain the strength to develop floor-work technique. It will only take a few months to improve every aspect of floor-work, and it is sure to stand out in a dancer’s performance. One of the best things a dancer can do outside of these exercises is to just practice, even if it is at a slower pace at home. This will make each movement and transition concrete, so there are no questions when it comes time to execute the movement. Knowing exactly what comes next, without any doubt will increase confidence, and that too will show in performances.
HOMEWORK: Do stretches and exercises at home minimal of 3-4 days a week
DEVOTION TO DANCE MEANS SUCCESS
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips
DEVOTION TO DANCE MEANS SUCCESS
We’ve all heard the old saying “Practice makes perfect”.
While this is obvious to some, there so many people that just don’t seem to get it. It especially applies to dance, as it does to any profession or hobby.
A major difference between an amateur and a professional is that the professional has devoted their life to what they love, while many amateurs usually just “dabble” on the side. They’re often left wondering why their level of skill is not on par with the masters, or looking for a shortcut that will make them as good as the pros.
There are many good tips and lessons, but there is no big shortcut. Some skills come easier to some than others, but there’s a huge margin of learning that simply takes time and dedication: Hours of practice per day, study, good teachers, and a good learning environment.
When you devote your life to something, you spend countless hours per day perfecting your technique, and many hours studying as much as humanly possible. You should enjoy it enough to become obsessed.
There’s no possible way someone can reach their full potential at something if they aren’t spending hours a day to become their absolute best.
Next time you’re envying your favorite dancer and their skills, remember that they’ve probably devoted their life to the craft. Can you imagine how good you would be at something if you worked on it for that many hours each day? Not only would you improve…You would reach heights you’ve never dreamed of.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
Use the back of this paper to answer and reply questions regards to this article.
1. Practice makes perfect. To some degree this is true, although we will not always have the proper skills to be perfect in every aspect of dance, practice does indeed make us better dancers. How often do you practice? If you assist or teach it is extra practice in techniques, however, it may not help you learn and memorize your routines. You need to practice outside class time.
2. There is no short cuts in dance. The article discuss the fact that some students wait for one day “talent” to hit them along side their heads or bodies and one day it is just going to happen. Some dancers think that they should be as good as another dancer that has put in twice as many years. Realisticly, there is no short cut to becoming great dancers, we all have to put our time and devotion in. Are you the dancer that waits for it to happen? Or are you the dancer that expect talent to come over night? Think about the two questions and answer them on the back.
3. Hours of practice per DAY, study, good teachers, and good learning environment. We already discussed practice, note the article suggests PER DAY. Study is what you are doing now, study will help you improve by getting tips, advice like this article. Your teacher has over 23 years of experience teaching, do you take your teacher seriously or are you one that is constantly distracted and messing around in class? How devoted to dance are you? Do you take practicing, studying, and listening to your teacher seriously?
4. Enjoy dance enough to become obsessed. If you are just taking dance for “fun” that is ok, however, dancers that are just taking it for the “fun” of it are the least likely to become better dancers, why?
5. Devotion is the key to becoming great dancers. Tell me, what are some things you do to show your devotion as a dancer, to the dance program, and to become a great dancer?
