Collab Project Part III

Hello everyone and welcome to day III/Part III of my first collab experience! Sorry I am a couple days late, it has been a busy weekend, but let’s embrace the start of a beautiful week. The third question I asked all the dancers was:

#3) What advice would you give to dancers who are going through a period of not getting steps or feeling like they aren’t good enough?

“You will get it! Sometimes you need to step back and watch someone else do the steps you're struggling with. It may help to watch and mentally break it down. But never give up! So long as you put your heart into it, you will succeed!”~Bethlyn 

“Well, to be perfectly honest I don't feel like I'm good enough every single day, but my advice would be to not let those thoughts get to you, because it will make your dancing worse. Be strong and don't give up.”~Chantelle

“You’re only competition is yourself. Forget about all the other runners in the race. They don’t matter because no one is exactly alike. No one will get to the same goal at the same time. So focus only on yourself, right now, in the present moment. It makes dancing (and life) so much easier when you stop comparing yourself to other people.”~Tara

“I always encourage those who are struggling to take a minute, step back, and remember where they started as compared to where they are now. In every case, they have improved infinitely from where they began, and will continue to improve forever. In one moment, not being able to get a step might feel like the end of the world. Ballet dancers are really hard on themselves, and they never seem to stop and remember how far they have come. When you see what you have done, what you have overcome, it makes it feel like anything is possible with hard work.”~Meaghan  

“Don't give up. If you feel like giving up on a step that you think you will never master, just stop and think real hard about it and say I can do it I can do it. And just keep practicing and practicing and you will get it. Trust me when you finally understand it you will feel amazing and you will feel like you've done something beyond your heart.” ~Cierra

“Every one has bad days and everyone has struggles. Re-frame your frustration by knowing that you are challenging your self and growing so much as an artist! Especially as a beginner your opportunity for growth is exponential.”~Julia

“Whatever you do, please do not give up. Everyone is going to tell you that, but I mean it. If you give up, you are letting whoever is telling you ‘You aren’t good enough’ win. You are letting the pressure break you instead of conquering it and becoming stronger. I was right there this Summer. I wanted to just give up because I didn’t feel good enough. I had a instructor who didn’t care about me, kept auditions that could launch my training secret from me, and girls who started to shun me because they were getting ahead and I wasn’t. I wanted to quit. I was burnt out on dance. I didn’t even like going to class anymore. The place as I had seen as an escape for so long felt like a prison. And then I realized… It doesn’t matter what they say, what they think, or how they make me feel. I love dancing. Dancing makes me who I am. It has taught me so much. It burns inside my soul and it’s molded me from a girl to a women and /that/ is what will get me places. That passion that burns inside of me when I dance is what will fuel me to continue to dance and get better. I might never get up to the professional level I dream of, or I might get there tomorrow, but either way that love for dance is what will get me there. So don’t give up. If you love it, if you truly love dance, don’t give up. There will be moments you completely hate it, but please don’t give up on your art dear dancer. From my heart to yours, I know you got this and you will master these steps you can’t do and conquer these negative feelings of not feeling good enough. I believe in you!”~Autumn 

“Keep pushing through these tough times and keep working for it because remember that the most rewarding parts of dance is achieving that sense of freedom in your dancing because you worked hard to get there and didn't give up. Remember that you have a huge dance community locally and globally. Speak to people about your worries or concerns; your teachers, peers and dancers on Jaimi's blog and Kathryn Morgan's Ballet Community- the millions of other dancers out there who also experience the same kinds of hardships and struggles. As a dance community we always are and always will be there for each other no matter what. You're not alone.”~Clarissa

“Don't look at the other students. That's easy to say, I know, but that's the most important thing. Stop comparing yourself to others. And don't stop trying. I know you'll have the feeling others will judge you, but they won't. Mostly, they're focused on themselves, they don't even have the time to look at you. Just keep doing your thing, and there will come the time, where everything makes sense and you'll be able to do it. Just keep working on it, don't stop and try to be not that frustrated.”~Mara

“ Personally I've had more moments than I can count that I haven't thought I was good enough.  But I've learned that if you think that way you won't get any better because you're whole heart isn't going into your dancing. Just believe in your abilities and work hard and one day you will get to be where you should be in your dance career!”~Anne

“ I would like to say to them that it's totally fine to not get steps easily  because we've all been through that. If someone feels like she isn't  good enough then I would like to tell you that you shouldn't compare your self to others in class. I know it's really hard but that's the best for you! Don't look others and think that "that girl can do a triple pirouette or she can jump higher that me" because it's not worth it. Just have your classes normally and ignore looking at anybody else! It really helps getting better trust me I've been through that.”~Eleni

“You have to keep trying don't ever give up! One day someone will want to hire you over another person! You have something they don't have. Work hard, and stay true to yourself.”~Haley

So there you have it! Don’t ever ever ever give up!!!! Everyone has struggles in their dance career, but it isn't about the amount of times you fall down, it is about the amount of times you stand up!

I hope you all enjoyed my very first collab project and I hope to do more in the future! 

Feel free to comment or email me at jaythedancer23@gmail.com for any requests or advice. I love you all and have a beautiful week

XOXO❤️

Collab Project Part II

Hello everyone and welcome to day II/Part II of my first collab experience! The second question I asked all the dancers was:

#2) Tell a story about a time where you couldn’t get a step or a routine and you felt like giving up.

“I have always been a competitive person because of my two older brothers. Also because of them, I had to work hard to keep up (they're about 8 and 10 years older than me). So in dance, whenever something was difficult to master, I would practice it over and over again. I would practice every day, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. But I wouldn't let frustration win. As for an example - I can't think of one, since it has happened several times in the course of my learning!”~Bethlyn 

“I used to really struggle with Italian fouettés en pointe, as I hadn't done them very much in class before, then I had a teacher who was down on me for not being able to do them very well (even though she didn't give them to us in class very often). Another teacher showed me how to break the step down, which really helped me to become more comfortable with them (to the right, anyway).”~Chantelle

“To be honest, I feel like this happens to me (and more than likely others) a lot. I am very much a perfectionist, so one of my biggest issues is not being able to do things perfectly the first time. At the barre I generally get things right pretty quickly, but with centre work I struggle. It quite often takes me a really long time to get things. I need to be confident before I get things, but I need to get things to be confident. I always feel like I am the only person in class who has no idea what the step is. And if you focus on that, it can really kill your confidence. I've learned in the 15 months I have been dancing that eventually it happens - if you keep trying. So when I have those moments of 'ugh - this will never happen!' I try to take a step back from it and see a positive. Every time you try, you're one step closer to nailing it.”~Eboni

“I started dancing pre-professionally when I was 15. During Nutcracker that year, I was chosen to be one of the Flowers, even though I had only been on pointe for a year and a half (they required three) and I hadn’t understudied the part first. Given all that, I was really thrown into the sharks. I was also dancing Balanchine, not RAD, which made everything so hard for me. My instructor was constantly yelling at me for messing up the moves, yet she would never tell me what I was doing wrong. She’d just say “YOU’RE WRONG! DO IT AGAIN!” and so I would but the more pressure she put on me the more I messed up. In the end, I quit that part because it was just too stressful for me. But if I had more than three months to perfect the Flower Dances, I would have stuck with it. That was the year I decided, professional dancing wasn’t for me. I am much happier dancing because I want to dance, verses dancing at a cutthroat ballet company like I wanted to when I was 15.”~Tara

“I attended the same summer program for four years. The first two years, I was placed in very low levels and was not allowed to do pointe work, which was very frustrating for me. I was angry at the teachers there and at their methods. I realize now how beneficial it was to me to be kept at a lower level for so long and to fully understand the mechanics and muscular aspects of ballet technique. The next two years, I was placed in much higher levels, and felt an amazing sense of accomplishment, which then pushed me to work even harder. If I had been placed in a higher level early on, I don't think it would have been as valuable and I'm incredibly grateful for the experiences and lessons I learned during my time in the lower levels.”~Meaghan  

“When I was preparing for my first recital, after rehearsals I would go home and practice practice practice. I was having trouble with this one step. I would break down in tears and frustration because I thought I would never get it but at the same time I kept saying you can do it you can do it. And I would try to remember what my ballet teacher said and how she would position me in the step. When I finally got it I was so excited then I kept doing it over and over because ballet is all about repetition. You must always keep repeating something so your muscles will get it.”~Cierra

“ I remember when I first started dancing seriously (at 13) I couldn't execute a pas de bourree turn (or balance turn) to save my life! It seemed impossibly complicated, like I was a 2-D object trying to perform something 3-D. I tried and tried and the teachers showed and showed me, when finally I was able go do it! It took a while but I was determined and I had kind teachers which always helps.”~Julia

“As soon as I read this question, a certain day in class came to mind. I can’t remember exactly what the step was called, but I do remember the sequence was coupe, coupe, plie, tour and the coupes were done while doing a jump and turn. I could not understand it to save my life. This was my first year up in the higher level of the studio amongst girls who bullied me and put me at the ‘bottom of the food chain’ so to speak. I was terrified and on top of that, I couldn’t get the step. I wanted to start crying. I kept begging for help from my sister, but she knew exactly what she was doing and didn’t take time to help me. I was left to struggle in the corner, preparing to do the exercise again but felt like just plopping down, curling up, and crying. Instead, I didn’t. I told myself to buck up and do it. Don’t think about it, don’t over analyze what I was doing, just listen to my body and do the gosh darn step. Do you know what happened? I did it. My technique was far from perfect, but I understood the step finally. To this day, it is one of my favorite steps to do when dancing.”~Autumn 

“I have never done jazz before until this year when I started fulltime dancing as jazz is part of our course. We had to learn a routine for a jazz eisteddfod and because the steps were so different to what I had ever done before I absolutely could not pick up the choreography or get the 'right style' for it. I remember thinking "wow I shouldn't be in this dance- I cannot do it at all, I'm not sharp enough in my movements... I've never done jazz before..." However when I got home that night I kept practicing the movements and going over the choreography. The next day the steps came easier to me as it was in my body from the day before. I was still not getting the right style or sharpness or timing but I kept asking my peers to go over with me which they gladly did. By the time it came to the competition, I had practiced it so much at home and during rehearsals that I finally had the right movement pathway, sharpness and able to express the character I wanted. I was very happy with my performance and what I had achieved throughout the process.”~Clarissa

“I was starting ballet with 16, and I went to a class where everyone was dancing since they've been a toddler and there was I - No experience at all in ballet. My nemesis was the Pas de bouree. I couldn't do it. As often as I tried, I couldn't do this step. I tried to copy the other students, my teacher tried to explain it to me several times, but I couldn't do it. I was so frustrated, I thought I was the dumbest dancer on the world, I was in fear of going to class because of that one step that the other students did so flawless and effortless. And I would always stand in the back, tried to hide my legs. At home, I was trying to do the step any time I could. And suddenly, a few weeks later, it clicked in my head. And I could do it. When I think about it now, I can't believe I had that horrible problems with it. Now, it's one of the easiest steps for me.”~Mara

“ For a long time I couldn't do pirouettes on pointe or even on flat but one night when I was warming up for my studio's production of the nutcracker. I was a Maid and we were the first people onstage so I wanted to make sure I was completely prepared before the show started. I warmed up in my pointe shoes and took my time. I ran the dance a few times re-doing parts of it that I had sone difficulty with. A thought popped into my head that I should try a pirouette just for fun I ended up doing two singles that day. Soon that became my routine before the rest of our shows. So even though its harder said than done its much easier to do things you cant if you get out of your head and just do the thing you want to.”~Anne

“I remember when I had started ballet again as a pre teen and I was lacking on technique because all the other girls did ballet since they were 3 years old, we were learning how to do a pirouette from 4th position (I know it's really simple but as I said I was a beginner) and I couldn't do it. The teacher was really mean and was yelling at me and that made me feel like giving up.  But I told myself that that's what I want to do and what I love so I didn't give up.”~Eleni

“I've not ever wanted to give up yet but I have been very frustrated and I prayed to God for help and then I got back up and tried again”~Haley

So as you can see, almost every dancer goes through a period where they want to quit. Dancing is NOT easy, it takes hard work, repetition, dedication, and true passion. There have been many times where I wanted to give up too, but look! We are all still here and are better dancers because of it! I hope this post inspires you that even if you can’t get a step, we have all been there… The important thing is to keep trying. Remember, it may be hard now, but one day it’ll be your warmup! 

Stay tuned for question #3 tomorrow!!!!

XOXO❤️

Collab Project Part I

Hello darlings!❤️

Sorry for the lack of posts this past month, I have been dealing with my injury and a bunch of other things. I can finally dance again in one week and to say that I’m ready is a complete understatement! 

Anyway, for this blog post, I decided to do something different! I interviewed 13 different dancers and asked the exact same three questions just to get all sorts of different perspectives. Today I will just be posting the answers to the first question I asked. Tomorrow will be the second, and Saturday will be the third! So, here we go!

Question #1) What does dancing mean to you?

“Dance is life. You can dance to express joy and pain, you can use dance as a way to rid yourself of sorrow. This exercise and art wrapped in one.”~Bethlyn 

“Expressing myself without words, and transporting myself and audience members into a magical world.”~Chantelle

“Dancing checks so many boxes for me. I get to work my body and my mind. It helps with my anxiety given that you can't really be worrying about anything when you're so focused on getting something right in class. It has the social aspect - I've made some really great friends from class. It's also a creative outlet for me.”~Eboni

“Dancing means the absolute world to me. But I can’t say I love to dance because I'm constantly at war with it. I'll never be good enough and I'll always be making mistakes. It's worth it though. Dancing is the only way I know how to live, and the only way I can. Take it away from me and I'll be nothing. So, no, I don't love to dance. I'm alive because of it. Dancing is how I live. Dance has been ingrained into every fiber of my being all my life. It runs in my veins. I am nothing without dance.”~Tara

“As someone who started ballet training later in life, dance really gave me a sense of purpose. With a strict schedule, I was able to learn important skills in time management that I know have defined who I am and who I will become, even if it has nothing to do with dance. Dance has also helped me to learn how to set specific goals and work hard to achieve them. If I hadn't received the ballet training that I have, I don't think I would be as driven or focused as I am today. I'm not planning on involving ballet in my career, but taking class makes me feel stronger and better as a person.”~Meaghan 

“What dancing means to me is happiness and inclusion. When I dance I feel the music and I feel like it takes me somewhere where I have no limits and it makes my heart feel so good inside.”~Cierra 

“ For me dancing means the space and structure to grow and create in ways the really resonate with my soul.”~Julia

“Honestly, it means freedom. I know every dancer and their mother will say that, but that truly what it is. It’s not just one type of freedom though. It’s freedom of expression, to use body and music to show what you what to express instead of words. This was a new found idea for me when I was younger because I’m a talker (I didn’t know how to be quiet!). It’s also freedom from life and the worries that come from it. Through a period of my life, probably the hardest of my young life so far, I loved dance because I was able to get away from the stress that invaded my home life. I still remember being eleven, sitting in the upstairs studio as the days rehearsal for out latest production came to a close and just feel at peace for the first time in days. I also see it as freedom of the part of you that most people don’t see. I can set parts of myself free that others don’t know about me as I dance. I can show how I’m sad, heartbroken. When I play a villainous character, I can show that dark part of myself. Dance is not simple ‘freedom’ to me. It’s many different forms of freedom.”~Autumn

“Dancing means gaining a sense of freedom from finding a balance of getting the technique right but also having the ability to transcend yourself through artistry and performance quality and pushing beyond the boundaries.”~Clarissa 

“Dancing is my refuge whenever my life gets crazy. It is the most enjoyable thing I've ever done in my life and I feel kinda complete when I'm dancing. Classes are the time of the week to clear my mind and stop worrying about things.”~Mara

“Dancing is what gets me up in the morning its hard to describe how exactly it makes me feel. As a student dance gets me through the craziest days because I can look forward to going to class at night. I have stopped dancing and tried swimming, volleyball, gymnastics and even took a shot at writing a book but every time I've always come back to dancing because thats what I love most.”~Anne 

“Dancing means life to me because I just can't live without it! I stopped ballet for 2 years when I was younger and that was the biggest mistake of my life. I was really disappointed of my self that I stopped ballet because I wasn't the same person I was when I did ballet.”~Eleni

“Dancing to me is an outlet where I can express myself because I find it hard for me to communicate how I'm feeling with words. So with dancing I can express how I feel with movement.”~Haley

This was such a fun project to be able to collaborate with so many amazing people with such amazing passion! So what does dancing mean to me?

Dancing is a way of being able to let the real world go, it is a way of letting all the worries of reality fall off your shoulders. In dance you lose yourself; it is just you and the music... Nobody else. It is a way of being free and flying! When I dance I feel invincible, like nothing can bring me down; as soon as I walk onto stage, the overwhelming passion fills my veins. Dancing is a stress reliever, a meditation, a lifestyle. When you dance, you go to places you never thought could be explored right there in your home or your studio. It is a way of expression through movement a way to show how you feel or tell a story without using one single word; just the art of your body and movement! It is amazing the lines you can create! Dancing is basically an alternate reality in which the possibilities are endless! 

I hope you all enjoyed hearing the different perspectives on the magicalness (that is a word now) of dance! Tomorrow I will be posting the answers for question #2!

If anyone needs me, remember I am always a comment or email away! jaythedancer23@gmail.com

XOXO❤️

Wings!

Hi my lovelies! So I got a request from a very sweet girl named, Nathalie, to do some tips on tap wings. Wings are a very advanced step that require lots of strength in not only your feet, but your inner thighs and stability muscles (and stamina!) Below, I have recorded a little vlog for my blog! Here is a video of two very quick but VERY effective wing exercises that have helped me tremendously! I hope they can help you too ☺️

I hope this video was helpful to everyone! Soon you will be the master at wings! Then we can work on single wings 😉 If you need me, feel free to email me at jaythedancer23@gmail.com or leave a comment below! I love you all and have a beautiful week!XOXO❤️

Injuries

So let's face it... Injuries are a dancer's WORST nightmare. Unfortunately, any dancer will end up having an injury sometime in their career. In this post I am going to talk about how to find out if you have an injury, what NOT to do and what you should do if you have one, the recovery/strengthening process, and then end with a little motivation! I just found out recently that I have fractured not only my L5, but my L4 vertebrate and have to be off dance for quite a few weeks. Not only dance, but I can't do ANY physical activity (besides walk and swim).... Needless to say I am semi losing my mind; but it inspired me to write this blog post. Okay, so here goes!

How can I tell if I have an injury?

ALWAYS listen to your body. There is a huge difference between being sore and having actual pain. Yes, you want to push your body so you can get stronger, but don't push yourself to where you have pain! If you are having pain, tell your instructor, sit down, and ice! If the pain continues to occur, then go see your doctor. Sometimes you may have just tweaked a muscles, but if you have consistent pain or pain that gradually gets worse, you must see a doctor immediately before you cause any worse damage. Remember, it is always better to be 100% safe than sorry! Common dance injuries include tendonitis, stress fractures, jumper's knee, snapping hip syndrome, lumbar spine injuries, strains and sprains (anywhere where the body is experiencing constant impact), bunions, bulging discs, sesamoids, and many more. 

What NOT to do with an injury!

As hard as it is, if you have an injury, you need to allow the proper healing time!!! I cannot stress this enough. You are only given one body and you don't want to jeopardize your whole dance future based on the fact that you want to dance now. You have to look at the entire picture; this includes your future. If you don't take care of injury, you can lead to permanent damage and, in some cases, never be able to dance again! Some of you may think I am exaggerating, but I have personally known people who kept dancing on an injury and now have damaged their muscles and ligaments to a point where they would be lucky if they could ever step on a stage again. An injury should NOT be taken lightly! Follow all the doctor's instructions. Once you are able to dance again, make sure you do it in baby steps. Don't start doing full out grand jetés across the floor! Work your way up to where you were! It will take hard work, but you will be back at it in no-time! It isn't a myth, but a fact that when injuries heal, that part of your body heals stronger than how it was before! So the key is patience and taking care of yourself. Do not rush an injury! It just isn't worth it.

How do I treat a dance injury?

A good answer is RICE! Now you may be asking what a yummy grain has to do with healing your body, but no, I am not talking about the food here; I am talking about the acronym! The R is for REST. Remember that resting, resting, and more resting is guaranteed to make your injury heal faster, you just have to baby it and try to put as little impact on it as possible. The I is for ICE. Ice is a dancer's best friend. It is very important that you apply ice correctly. Don't just take an ice pack, pop it on and leave it. You want to get a fluid icepack that will mold around the injury, then apply the ice for around 10-20 minutes depending on the severity of the injury. Remove the ice for 20 minutes and apply again. Also remember that ice is most beneficial right after the injury has occurred (24-72 hours) since it decreases inflammation and swelling. After the 72 hour mark, it is a good idea to switch to HEAT, since that encourages blood flow to that area. It is perfectly fine to alternate between ice and heat. Both ice and heat help with pain, and many trainers actually recommend alternating between the two every few hours.The C is for COMPRESSION. Wrapping the injured area in an ace wrap is always a good idea to keep down swelling and inflammation, just don't wrap it too tight! We don't want any purple body parts here; oxygen is our friend! Finally, the E is for ELEVATION. Prop your injury above your heart as this causes the fluid to drain away from the injured area and it reduces swelling. If the injury is on your hip, buttocks, or back, try propping that area up with a few pillows so you are at least at level with your heart. 

How can I strengthen my injured area back to where it used to be?

You did it! You survived the hardest part which is waiting for the healing, but now you notice you aren't as strong as you used to be. No worries, your muscles are trained for this and building them back up will be a breeze! Especially with consistency, hard work, and baby steps! I, unfortunately cannot answer this question as different injuries call for different strengthening processes. Make sure you contact your doctor. A lot of good rehabilitation comes from physical therapy. If it was an ankle injury, you can never go wrong with therabands. Just make sure you consult your doctor and figure out the best way possible to get back to dance WITHOUT re-injuring yourself! Again, take baby steps! Maybe the first week back at dance, just do barre, then start with relevés in the centre, then work your way up to petite allegro and turns. Save the big jumps for last as they cause the most impact! 

Motivation Time!!

Here is a quote that I have been living by for the past few weeks that I hope you all enjoy! Remember that injuries will only make you stronger in the end. With proper care, it will soon just be a distant memory. Always look at the long term, not the short term! You can do this, I promise! If you need me, feel free to email me at jaythedancer23@gmail.com or leave a comment below! I love you all and have a beautiful week! XOXO❤️

Photoshoots

Hey everyone! Yesterday I had such a blast doing a dance photoshoot and wanted to share some pics with you! But first, I would like to highly recommend getting a dance photoshoot done to increase and enhance your dance portfolio. Not only can you get some stunning photos of yourself, but if you're serious about auditioning and getting in the dancing/entertainment world, these are pictures that you can show directors to 'wow' them!

1) How do I find a photographer

~ It's a lot easier than you think. The wonders of the internet will lead you right towards the answer. There are lots of aspiring photographers on Instagram who would probably be happy to experiment with dance pictures! Just DM and make sure to ask smart questions about dates, pricing, etc.. If a photographer wants money first, I would avoid them... This is a common approach for scams.

2) What do I wear?

~ You will most likely have some freedom to choose what outfits you wear, so make sure you pick nice, moveable clothes. You want clothes that show off your body, but not ones that will prohibit your flexibility in any way. Remember, you are showing off your talent!

3) Do I really need to warm up?

~ YES! Sometimes, we get caught up in making sure our hair and makeup looks good, that we forget about one little (actually huge) aspect of dancing, which is the warmup. Find time to do a mix of passive and dynamic stretches, or even a ballet barre to really open up your hip sockets and to get your blood flowing. Warm up your ankles for jumps and make sure you are ready to showcase that flexibility. Without proper warmup, it is easy to tear and pull your muscles, and nobody wants that.

4) What if I run out of pose ideas?

~ With the outfits, you will also have some freedom about poses. If you are extremely flexible, show that off with some cool needles or tilts. If you are a great jumper, whack out a firebird or a grand jeté. But some of the most magical photos comes from just exploring your surroundings! Be spontaneous and don't overthink things. Something that may seem crazy may turn out to be your dream shot! Just make sure you are always safe. But feel free to step a little outside your comfort zone. At my photoshoot yesterday, I was hanging in a tree, just wrapping my legs around some branches and got some very uniquely awesome lines and angles.

**Remember that you do not need to go crazy with photoshoots. Sometimes simple is better! Just a simple arabesque with the right surroundings, lighting, arm positions, and angle can turn into something enchanting! Like I said, just explore!**

5) Also remember to bring lots of water and snacks to keep your muscles energized!

Now; here are some photos that were taken of me yesterday! I hope you all enjoy! And if you have any questions or comments, I'm just a message away! XOXO❤️

Turning Tips

Good morning, lovelies! Today's post is all about turns turns turns! I have lots of tips to share with you that won't only help your pirouettes, but you chaînés, fouettes, piques, and more! 

Now, there are lots of things you need to focus on (supporting leg straight, ribcage closed, etc..) which I will get into later, but I am going to begin with one of the most important things; ankle strength. Especially with consecutive turns, it is NOT just enough to practice and be able to do a lot of one-footed releves. Being able to do 20 releves on one foot is great, but it really only uses the primary muscles in your foot/ankle. Which is why you may be able to balance forever, but once you start turning, you aren't able to stay up so well. There are a bunch of little stability muscles inside your foot that are responsible for the rest of the job while turning. If these aren't strong, you won't be able to turn like you wish. So the question is; how do you strengthen them? The solution is quite simple and really only involves 5-10 minutes of your day! The best way and the way in which you see fastest results (in my opinion), is using a good, old fashioned theraband. I have attached a short video of the exercises I do daily which I have seen tremendous results from. I only show one foot in the video, but make sure you do BOTH feet so you don't become lopsided! For additional help, here is a video that is very informative and may be of good use too☺️ 

Now that you have a great idea of how to truly strengthen your foot, let's look at the other important factors you need while turning.

1) Obviously, a STRONG core! When I turn, my abs tighten so much that nothing can break me. You want to think of squeezing each of your ab muscles for a very strong core

2) Speaking of tight, make sure your arms are held steady. Loose, wobbly arms will make or break a turn. Make sure to always initiate arm holding from your back... This gets your whole upper body engaged. 

(*NOTE* When you think 'tight', you DO NOT want to think 'tense'. Tension is a no-no for dancers. Instead of 'tense', think of 'resistance'. Your muscles are resisting each other in order to produce a strong foundation. It is the same concept as when you plié, you think 'up'.)

3) Do not lead with your arms/shoulders. In chaîné turns, it is very easy to let the shoulder that is coming around move and help you turn. This will prevent you from being able to do the fast as well as throw off your balance. Initiate from your back, keep your shoulders square, and hold them tight. Shoulder blades together! This is the same for when you prep in any turn. Keep them square!

4) Spotting is your friend. No matter what kind of turn you do, always know your front and be fixated on it. Spotting may mean the difference of a double, triple, quadruple, etc.. Whip that head!

5) If you experience a falling back sensation, you have most likely fallen into the trap of opening your ribcage. If your ribcage is open, this throws off the entire balance of you body; you spine becomes curved in an unnatural way, your hips tilt, and your shoulders go back. Remember that with that tightening of your core, you are keeping your ribcage locked. 

6) You always need a straight supporting leg. Unless, you are doing consecutive and have to plié for a second of course. You should have a nice resistance throughout your leg and really connect with the floor. For me, it helps to think of the ball of my foot as a screw being driven by my body, the screwdriver.

7) Focus and keep a positive mindset. Remember that dance is a huge percent mental. Stay positive and keep practicing. What seems impossible for you now will eventually be your warmup! Don't overthink things and don't be afraid of falling... After all, you are only a few feet from the floor. Mistakes are just proof that you are trying. So keep at it and FIGHT FOR IT!

Well, I hope these tips have helped you and feel free to email me at jaythedancer23@gmail.com for any more questions, comments, or concerns. Or just leave a comment below!

Until next time, darlings!

XOXO❤️