JUMPS!!

Heyyy guys!!

As of now I'm going to talk to you about JUMPS!! Jumping is the most fun thing in a jazz or ballet class but it isn't as easy. When you do any kinds of jumps, always remember to bend you knees as then it also becomes the preparation for another jump and land on flat foot after it. I recently got a really bad sprain or something like that on the side of my calve due to this and is went down till my foot and pained like hell. Also when you are jumping always lift up and think of fully extending your legs instead of thinking about how high you go. Obviously going high is also important but it comes after you start extending your legs fully. Also  try to think of travelling while doing big jumps like grand jetès.

PS;- These are just the basics of jumps. I know its less but hey even I'm still learning so you have to deal with it :P

HAPPY DANCING!!!

Hyperextensions

Hey people!!
I  am soooo sorry that I did not update!!! First I had my exams and I got really busy with school so yeah. Anyways, A few months ago I discovered that my knees bend when I go in my 1st position of ballet and then I did some research and also confirmed with my teacher and found out that I have got HYPEREXTENDED LEGS. So this is something you are born with or can happen due to injury. This condition is basically when your knees go all the way inside than usual something like this:-

Don't worry you are not abnormal!! It is actually preferred in a lot of ballet schools and some ballerinas want it! So all you've got to do is that when you are in your 1st position squeeze your inner thighs and your bum cheeks. Its gonna help you to turn out as well as help you to fully extend your legs. Imagine that your legs start from your lower stomach and not where they actually start from and really lift up. And please DO NOT LOCK YOUR KNEES!!! This could injure your legs. Please be careful to not do that even when you are stretching, it could get pretty bad. Ohh and I got to know about this today that people with hyperextensions are supposed to be good with Chaînés which is great! :D 

PS:- I'm not gonna lie... 5th position is a little bit difficult and so are the back tondues but practice this is all I can say.)

Thank you for reading my blog!!
HAPPY DANCING!!! 

Techniques and tricks for your turns

Hey everyone! 
Sorry didn't post for a while was really busy! So today I'm going to tell you techniques and tricks for having more than one turn. You can apply them for not only pirouettes but other turns like:-
-Pirouette 
-Pirouettes en dehor (outside pirouette, which is what a regular 
pirouette is) 
-Pirouettes en dedan (inside pirouette) 
-Pencil turn 
-Pique turn 
-Lame duck 
-Chaines 
-Attitude turn (your leg can either be in front or back attitude) 
-Fouette 
-A la second (doing a fouette, but keeping your leg out in second the entire time) 
-Coupe turn 
-Axels 
-Turning leaps 

For performing great turns you really need to spot. You can try a spotting exercise- choose a point on a wall and keep looking at it constantly while turning around without moving your head. This is the feeling you should get while doing any kind on turns.

For finding your balance and also spotting, you can try- going in your preparatory position which should be perfect by the way which means, your shouldn't open your legs too much and your pliè should be just right as it helps to hoist you up during your turn. Now go to your passe position (turned out or turned in) in relèvè and look at a point on the wall and stay there. Now put your leg down while remaining on relèvè and and repeat the process. This helps in building up your calve muscles and helps you to stay on relèvè as it engages your calves. Do the same for the other leg. 

Now some basic tricks for your turns are spotting (obviously).  Make sure your shoulders are relaxed and you are holding center and lifting up at all times as it helps you to stay up on relèlè and prevents falling. Take momentum with your arms while doing a turn. It helps you to take more than one turn and gives you excellent balance. Hope this id helpful!! 

PS:- For strengthening your legs do fondues and frappès. 

HAPPY DANCING!!!!

Working on your flexibility

Flexibility is one of the most important things a dancer should have. Here are sum exercises to increase flexibility:-

•  FORWARD SPLIT: Try going in a grand-pliè (in the second position) and stay in that position with your pelvis pushed forward and try pushing your knees back with your elbows your back is flat in the process. Then extend one leg to the side and try to sit in that position. Remember to turn out both of your legs and you can point or flex the extended leg. Now stay there for at least eight counts. Do the same with the other leg. Now from that position twist to go in a lunge position and stay there, now rest your leg on the floor and push your pelvis forward. Now pull your leg towards your hips and push your hips down and stay there. Now bring your leg down and slide back. If you aren't able to do a split then DO NOT extend your front leg. This will definitely pain but no pain no gain right? You should feel pain in your inner thighs only. If you feel pain anywhere else you might be doing it wrong. 

1)  But body facing forward and try to sit in it

2) 

3)

• CENTER SPLIT: Sit with your four points facing a wall in the center split position. Push yourself toward the wall. You will feel a burning sensation and pain in your inner thighs. Keep pushing until you can't take it anymore. You could also try this with the help of a friend. Tell them to push your second position through your  feet with the help of their feet. You could also lie on the floor with your second position on the wall and try to pen your position. Or just go in your maximum center split and lean forward.

You can try other exercises like facing  the barre and putting  your leg on it (just your heel). Now bend the leg on the barre and keep your other foot in rèlevè. Your belly will be resting on your thigh in this process. Now stretch this leg with your belly remaining on your thigh. Do this at least thrice.

Your flexibility can really improve through these exercises as mine did too. Do all kinds of stretches whenever you can. Just practice it. If you have any questions please feel free to comment and tell me what would you like to know about in my next blog. Please give me a feedback negative or positive.

HAPPY DANCING!!!

Strengthening your legs

Many dancers don't really have strong legs even if they are really flexible. It becomes hard for them to balance. For this it is really important to use your hamstrings and inner thighs.

Some exercises for your legs are:- 

• Plie`s
• Leg extensions

One of the best workouts for this is relevès in the 1st ballet position, 2nd ballet position or in cou-de-pied (position next to the ankle of the supporting leg). This is also great for your calve muscles . The trick is to really squeeze your inner thighs while fully extending your legs. Try putting a piece of paper in between your thighs and try not to drop it while doing your relevès and also while doing relevès take your time in putting heal down on the floor and think you are pushing a spring into the floor with your heal. Do not pliè. Just watch out that your legs are extended at all times otherwise you can injure your knee. This exercise is very important for ballet and contemporary dancers.

(PS: its better if the leg which is on the ground is pulled towards the chest with your hands while the other leg is in the air and vice versa.)

HAPPY DANCING!!!

Changing your food habits and physical exercise

A dancer should always exercise regularly and eat healthy. I get that everyone wants to have fast food, etc. but to achieve something you have to give something up. Whenever you feel hungry you should pick up a fruit and eat it. Just before you think of buying a packet of chips, think about the fruit in your bag. Fast food and junk intake should be once a week. Whenever you eat something unhealthy you should make it a point to always burn it. Please do not diet! Believe me they DO NOT WORK! Eat healthy, eat all your meals properly but sweets and fried are a big NO. Tr to eat small portions of food. and drink loads of water.

You should try exercising daily but do not start with strenuous exercise directly! Start with mild exercises like going for walks, jogging and running for a few minutes. After a few weeks increase your time limit and start doing ab exercises which are really important for a dancer as you have to use your center in almost everything you do. But, resting is also very important and you should have proper sleep.

Please Try these things. It will definitely build up your stamina. Be patient as these things take a couple of weeks or maybe months depending on the person. Don't worry everyone has a different physic and body structure these are just some suggestions. Don't stress on this too much! Chill out and have fun dancing.

 HAPPY DANCING!!!

Introduction

Hey everyone!
I'm Devanshi and i will be blogging about what goes on in a young dancer's mind and some tips for the betterment of your dance skills.
I love dancing and I would like to share my experience and passion with all those who also love dance and are passionate about it. I'll be blogging whenever possible. Hope you all like my blog please comment and give me your feedback. Please tell me what would you like to discuss or know about?
Thank you!!!! :D

HAPPY DANCING!!!