Keeping in shape during summer break.

nanae

Hi everybody! I've been reading all the topics on the ballet site and I love it! I was at danceforums.net but they didn't have a ballet genre. This is great!
I was wondering if I could get some tips on stretching and training over the summer. The dance season at my studio just ended with a big performance and I will be sad until dance starts again. I might be able to do summer lessons but I really want to keep flexible and in shape for fall. I remember last year when I went back to the studio after the break I felt like I was beginning all over again. My flexibility had lessened and I just felt sloppy. Any tips would help. Thanks! :D

Cami · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 28

Hey!
Exactly my problem ever since I started erm.... 18 years ago!
What helps:
1) stretch every day at home! And not just sloppy stretching, push yourself! If you have a 140º opening get to 145º and stay there! I used to do little shifts, for example I'd get into a position that really stretched myself even if I had to do weird things like putting books under my feet, so I could overstretch my split and then I'd stay there and count till 10, then relax, then again and count till 20, relax, etc... until 50. I did this during the year, when I felt envious about other people being more flexible than I was, I always got sloppy in summer time and lost flexibility!
2) take some stretching lessons. You can get them at dance schools, but also at normal gyms! Best ones I think are "stretching" and "pilates", but yoga can also help you.
3) if you live in a smaller town and/or have no money and have no access to classes get a stretching dvd (there are good pilates dvds out there). Do it every day!!
4) stretch a little bit all the time when you are just being lazy! Read in the "frog position" to stretch your en dehor (you know what I mean right? Feet together, ancles on the floor, knees as far apart as possible, lying on your tummy, with your hipbones on the floor). Listen to music with your bum against a wall flat on your back, with your legs spread open, in what is, or will eventually be, a split. Watch TV in a sitting second position (or split if possible), etc...

Ok I think that is it, always push yourself, without hurting yourself, and you will have the same or even better flexibility after the summer.
Love, Cami

nanae · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

Ooops, I meant to say dotcom in my earlier post but I think you understood, or maybe missed it.
Yes I know the frog position! Thanks for the advice. My main problem with stretching and exercising during the summer is that I have to push myself to do it. For some reason I never want to get off my butt in the summer to stretch, I'll think about it and then end up becoming busy and I'll just not make myself stretch, I'll make excuses to myself instead. The only one being hurt is me because I'm losing flexibility. I will definitley be working on this though this summer. It has been my goal to get my left and right splits for the past two years. I am now closer than I've ever been but I can't give up yet.
I do live in a small town so I might rent a pilates video. I have heard a lot about pilates and that it really helps. Thanks again!

Kuriin · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Location: In my imagination

I'm at the Joffrey Ballet School summer program...so, no problem with keeping in shape for me. :lol: :lol: :lol: :? :? :( :(

dancersdreamland · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the Forums, nanae and Kuriin!

nanae - To stay motiviated, set small goals for yourself with a reward system. For example, make a goal to exercise at least three times per week for two weeks. Once you've met the goal, reward yourself with some personal pampering, a new dance movie/tape/etc., whatever type of reward with motivate you. Also keep in mind your long-term goal to still be in shape, flexible, etc. once your dance classes begin in the fall. I've also seen people maintain an exercise journal or find an exercise buddy to help hold them accountable... All the best and please let us know how it's going.

Kuriin - Joffrey Ballet School...how amazing! How is the summer program going? What do you do...obviously dance, but what else?

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

gabe and angel's studio has a summer technique program and this is the time when they really work hard to progress further and learn new things. They all set goals for themselves with what they wish to accomplish and work towards their goals. The classes start at 9:30AM or so and run all day in all genres and levels so their is plenty for all. They are also able to get more ballet technique in the summer...everyday...which is so important. They love it and sometimes days at the beach or other outings are scheduled in so the kids have a lot of fun doing things outside of dance as well. We just got back from finals in Vegas so technique starts this Tuesday.

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

Kuriin wrote: I'm at the Joffrey Ballet School summer program...so, no problem with keeping in shape for me. :lol: :lol: :lol: :? :? :( :(
That is so awesome. One of our ballet instructors who dances with the California Ballet Co. was at the Joffrey Ballet School summer program a couple of years ago.

dancersdreamland · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject:

dancemom wrote: We just got back from finals in Vegas so technique starts this Tuesday.

How'd it go?

dance4life · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Canada

[color=violet][/color]I know how you feel.Like it's all over for the summer and you start to feel like you are going out of shape.That's hoe I felt, but then I decided to do something about it.I started running each day.Not a far run but enough to get some excersize.It really helps I find.I also stretch before I go so that I do not fall apart while im running.:bI guess that is my tip for you since I don't know what else to tell you.lol.How I feel is like the only thing that keeps me in shape is ballet but when it ended I needed something to keep me going and thats the best I could do.lol.well thats my tip.:D[/img][/b]

angel winns · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Southern CA

dancersdreamland wrote: dancemom wrote: We just got back from finals in Vegas so technique starts this Tuesday.

How'd it go?

It went great. Both of my solos, Gabe's solo, our duo and our large group, which is all that went of ours, since only one studio went, got first place Platinum awards which is the highest you can get. All three of our tap numbers received the "Fabulous Feet" award which is given to one person or group in that catagory and I got the "Broadway Diva" judges award for my musical theatre solo. All solos and our duo got into the top ten in overalls as well as the group. So it was an awesome time. You can check out an article about the Finals and pictures at http://www.youngstarnews.com We are on the front page.

rachael · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

Hey guys! I've been reading this forum for a few days and it looks really good! There's a lot of advice too. I'm a dance fanatic---I do jazz and ballet and I'm completely obsessed. I love it so much and all my friends think I'm crazy... :lol: I just finished 3 big recitals in May and have my first class since then tonight. Yay it's so much fun to see everyone who is just as crazy about dance!

dancersdreamland · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the Forums, rachael!

We're delighted to have you here! I am a dance fanatic as well. It's gotten to the point people at work say dance is not just my passion, but my obsession and my life...I couldn't agree more.

Congrats on the three big recitals and have fun at class tonight!

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

welcome to the board Rachael! :D

Medira · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:36 pm Post subject:

Welcome to DF Rachael! It's good to see you around. :)

pr · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011 Location: Göteborg, Sweden

Welcome Rachael! Glad to have you here too! :D