For me, this summer has been trying to get in better shape for my dancing. I've really enjoyed the process so far, and have already seen progress. I try to make everything I do productive. Here's a little look at my plan.
Monday
8:30-9 non-stop barre
9-10 center exercises
10-10:30 pointe exercises
10:30-11 Pilates
4-5:30 ballet class
Tuesday
8:30-9:15 barre
9:14-10 center exercises
10-10:30 pointe exercises
!0:30-11 dance conditioning workout
Wednesday
Same as Monday without the class in the afternoon
Thursday
8:30-9 dance conditioning workout
9-9:45 pointe exercises
4-5:30 ballet class
Friday
Exact same as Wednesday
Saturday
8:30-9 dance conditioning workout
10-11:30 ballet class
At the end of everyday I do a gentle stretch. I give my body, as well as my mind, a complete break on Sunday. It may not be a summer intensive, but I figure this gives me a chance to work on my dancing while still having time to do other things. Like writing this blog.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Morning Cup of Tea
To remain consistent in technique and ability from day to day can sometimes be a struggle. Nothing seems to stay the same for long, especially the body. Sore muscles fight against the common cause of the ballet dancer, which is to maintain what has already been accomplished and progress to a higher level of dancing.
The most recent issue of Pointe listed about three natural anti-inflammatories. One of them was green tea. Before receiving this issue, I was already in the habit of drinking a cup of this hot beverage every morning. Pointe advises to do just that. So I thought I would share my morning ritual, seeing as how the experts from an official ballet magazine seem to agree with it.
Green Tea contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory, which is why it relieves soreness. Knowing that, I'll keep my little tradition of sipping on this soothing, warm drink. Nothing is more comforting than coming downstairs in the morning, fixing myself some breakfast, and enjoying green tea from a mug with pointe shoes painted on it.
The most recent issue of Pointe listed about three natural anti-inflammatories. One of them was green tea. Before receiving this issue, I was already in the habit of drinking a cup of this hot beverage every morning. Pointe advises to do just that. So I thought I would share my morning ritual, seeing as how the experts from an official ballet magazine seem to agree with it.
Green Tea contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory, which is why it relieves soreness. Knowing that, I'll keep my little tradition of sipping on this soothing, warm drink. Nothing is more comforting than coming downstairs in the morning, fixing myself some breakfast, and enjoying green tea from a mug with pointe shoes painted on it.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Price To Pay
Lately my pointe shoes have been giving my little toes trouble. I'm talking about corns. You know, those nasty little bumps that are much harder than blisters. Unless you get a soft corn, but those appear between the toes. Thankfully I haven't had to deal with those. Yet. I hope my luck holds out.
I was hoping to buy these Pinky Pads by Bunheads.
I'm assuming they would be the protection my little toes need.
I've never had problems with corns before. In fact, since restarting dancing I've had more blisters and bleeding than the first go around. I'm not complaining though. I'll take it. What are ugly, messed up feet compared to the grace and beauty of ballet. In my eyes, it's a small price to pay.
I was hoping to buy these Pinky Pads by Bunheads.
I'm assuming they would be the protection my little toes need.
I've never had problems with corns before. In fact, since restarting dancing I've had more blisters and bleeding than the first go around. I'm not complaining though. I'll take it. What are ugly, messed up feet compared to the grace and beauty of ballet. In my eyes, it's a small price to pay.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Non-stop Barre
The first time my ballet teacher lead the class through a non-stop barre was torture. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating a bit. I still wouldn't call it pleasant though.
A non-stop barre transitions from one exercise to the next without a pause. It usually lasts for half an hour, and anyone familiar with the way barre works knows the hardest movements that require the most energy come at the end.
Starting last fall, my college ballet class would periodically practice this method. Unfortunately, my teacher wasn't able to give us this kind of barre often enough for our stamina to improve. With the welcome arrival of summer break I decided to consistently practice non-stop barre on my own at home. I was determined to improve my endurance.
Now, I do a non-stop barre three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'm usually at the barre by eight-thirty in the morning.
After doing this for almost a month I can see the pay off. My legs aren't about to collapse when I finish, and I'm more comfortable during the actual process. Of course comfort is the sign of needing more of a challenge, and I'm already figuring out what I should do to make non-stop barre harder and longer.
I think more dancers should try this type of barre. Ballet dancers are amazing athletes, but it's a well known fact that they usually lack superior cardiovascular strength. The stop and go, common in classes and rehearsals, is the culprit for that. I think this could be a way for dancers to up their endurance. I wouldn't go so far as to say it should replace all extra cardio exercise a dancer does, because I'm definitely not an expert. But I will say this. Doing a non-stop barre has made a regular barre feel like a luxury. I no longer feel tired at the end of regular barre, thanks to all the pauses I've had, and I'm on my way to being able to sustain my energy enough to dance well for longer periods of time.
A non-stop barre transitions from one exercise to the next without a pause. It usually lasts for half an hour, and anyone familiar with the way barre works knows the hardest movements that require the most energy come at the end.
Starting last fall, my college ballet class would periodically practice this method. Unfortunately, my teacher wasn't able to give us this kind of barre often enough for our stamina to improve. With the welcome arrival of summer break I decided to consistently practice non-stop barre on my own at home. I was determined to improve my endurance.
Now, I do a non-stop barre three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'm usually at the barre by eight-thirty in the morning.
After doing this for almost a month I can see the pay off. My legs aren't about to collapse when I finish, and I'm more comfortable during the actual process. Of course comfort is the sign of needing more of a challenge, and I'm already figuring out what I should do to make non-stop barre harder and longer.
I think more dancers should try this type of barre. Ballet dancers are amazing athletes, but it's a well known fact that they usually lack superior cardiovascular strength. The stop and go, common in classes and rehearsals, is the culprit for that. I think this could be a way for dancers to up their endurance. I wouldn't go so far as to say it should replace all extra cardio exercise a dancer does, because I'm definitely not an expert. But I will say this. Doing a non-stop barre has made a regular barre feel like a luxury. I no longer feel tired at the end of regular barre, thanks to all the pauses I've had, and I'm on my way to being able to sustain my energy enough to dance well for longer periods of time.
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Perfect Lunch
Ever since I can remember I've loved peanut butter. I'm convinced my appreciation for it has increased since the days of being a little girl, asking my mom to make me a peanut butter sandwich.
Back then our peanut butter contained bad oils and sugar. My mom has always been interested in nutrition, which is the reason for my healthy life-style today, and the time came when she decided to switch to real peanut butter. I've never looked back. That other stuff just can't compare to the taste of what we get now.
To qualify as real peanut butter the ingredient list on the jar should show only two things, peanuts and salt. This is the only kind of peanut butter you'll find on our shelves now.
My favorite lunch is a peanut butter sandwich with whole grain bread paired with a fruit smoothie. What could be better than that!
I make sure the smoothie is just as healthy as the sandwich. I use orange juice, a handful of frozen strawberries, a handful of frozen blueberries, some mango, and a half a banana. Then I mix it all together in the blender. Sometimes I'll use the left out half of the banana, sliced into little pieces, to put in the middle of my sandwich, making for an extra special treat! Well, I think so at least.
Back then our peanut butter contained bad oils and sugar. My mom has always been interested in nutrition, which is the reason for my healthy life-style today, and the time came when she decided to switch to real peanut butter. I've never looked back. That other stuff just can't compare to the taste of what we get now.
To qualify as real peanut butter the ingredient list on the jar should show only two things, peanuts and salt. This is the only kind of peanut butter you'll find on our shelves now.
My favorite lunch is a peanut butter sandwich with whole grain bread paired with a fruit smoothie. What could be better than that!
I make sure the smoothie is just as healthy as the sandwich. I use orange juice, a handful of frozen strawberries, a handful of frozen blueberries, some mango, and a half a banana. Then I mix it all together in the blender. Sometimes I'll use the left out half of the banana, sliced into little pieces, to put in the middle of my sandwich, making for an extra special treat! Well, I think so at least.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
My New Year's Resolution I Actually Stuck To
As a ballet dancer I have to watch what I eat. I usually make sure every meal or snack has some nutritional benefit.
Dancing requires a dependence on the body to cooperate and hold up. Filling up on junk food before class isn't going to fuel it properly. I'll feel sluggish and might have trouble picking up combinations being thrown at me.
Protein, carbs, and good fats provide energy, a sharp mind, and injury fighting power. I believe in having a well rounded diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods. That being said, there is one strict restriction in my diet. Sugar.
Sugar and I don't get along well. I love to dance, but eating sugar decreases my energy level and strength to dance. January 2nd was the day I completely eliminated it from my life. This doesn't mean natural sugar, like the kind you find in fruits. I mean cakes, ice cream, pies, and all that other good stuff.
I'm proud of how I've stuck to my New Year's resolution, over six months later. I should mention though of the few times I strayed. Valentine's Day and the week after it was a disaster. I had every intention of cleaning up my act once the candy I received was finished off, and that didn't take long. The months leading up to Easter were pretty pure, but once Easter did arrive it brought another set back. This one was less drastic. I only overindulged on the actual day, and I had enough control to eat about one candy a day after that. I learned my lesson from Valentine's Day.
Since I've finished off my Easter candy, which was back in late April or early May, I don't think I've had a single dessert. It feels good knowing I have the discipline to refrain from eating what will harm my ability to dance. My love for dancing is enough to motivate me to persevere in keeping this change.
I don't want you to think every dancer has to, or does live like this. Different things affect different people, and as long as it's in moderation I don't see anything wrong with treating yourself. This was just a personal decision based on the way my body reacts to sugar.
Dancing requires a dependence on the body to cooperate and hold up. Filling up on junk food before class isn't going to fuel it properly. I'll feel sluggish and might have trouble picking up combinations being thrown at me.
Protein, carbs, and good fats provide energy, a sharp mind, and injury fighting power. I believe in having a well rounded diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods. That being said, there is one strict restriction in my diet. Sugar.
Sugar and I don't get along well. I love to dance, but eating sugar decreases my energy level and strength to dance. January 2nd was the day I completely eliminated it from my life. This doesn't mean natural sugar, like the kind you find in fruits. I mean cakes, ice cream, pies, and all that other good stuff.
I'm proud of how I've stuck to my New Year's resolution, over six months later. I should mention though of the few times I strayed. Valentine's Day and the week after it was a disaster. I had every intention of cleaning up my act once the candy I received was finished off, and that didn't take long. The months leading up to Easter were pretty pure, but once Easter did arrive it brought another set back. This one was less drastic. I only overindulged on the actual day, and I had enough control to eat about one candy a day after that. I learned my lesson from Valentine's Day.
Since I've finished off my Easter candy, which was back in late April or early May, I don't think I've had a single dessert. It feels good knowing I have the discipline to refrain from eating what will harm my ability to dance. My love for dancing is enough to motivate me to persevere in keeping this change.
I don't want you to think every dancer has to, or does live like this. Different things affect different people, and as long as it's in moderation I don't see anything wrong with treating yourself. This was just a personal decision based on the way my body reacts to sugar.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Dancers Love Pilates
Following a common trend among dancers, I've recently become a fan of pilates. It does a great job of exercising the whole body, while focusing on quality of movement. I find the exercises to be almost dance-like, done in a rhythm and with emphasis on proper form.
My first urge to try pilates appeared last year in the later part of summer. Heeding this impulse I sought out a pilates DVD. Sadly the one I found didn't suit me, and my first few weeks of practicing pilates was time wasted. The DVD went untouched for months, until a few weeks ago when I pulled it out and gave it a second chance. I had attempted it a few more times with little more success when this last Tuesday it quit working. That occurrence became a blessing when it turned into the push I needed to try out another DVD. I honestly don't know why the thought didn't occur to me in the first place, but all well better late than never.
I found one called Cardio Sculpt Pilates and I love it! Being a dancer myself, I like how the instructor, Lizabeth Garcia, is a dancer as well. The exercises are easy on the mind without losing the challenge on the body. I can almost pretend like I'm executing choreography, as Garcia leads me from one movement to the next, smoothly and gracefully. There's a sense of purpose in each exercise.
I'll continue doing pilates three times a week. It's not to hard to fit it in my day because it's only thirty minutes long. As soon as results show up I'll be sure to blog about it.
If you like the sounds of this workout you can order your own copy of this same DVD from Amazon. It also includes a twelve minute strength training bonus workout lead by Tracy York. You don't have to be a dancer to enjoy the amazing benefits of pilates. It truly is a great workout for anyone wanting to get in better shape.
My first urge to try pilates appeared last year in the later part of summer. Heeding this impulse I sought out a pilates DVD. Sadly the one I found didn't suit me, and my first few weeks of practicing pilates was time wasted. The DVD went untouched for months, until a few weeks ago when I pulled it out and gave it a second chance. I had attempted it a few more times with little more success when this last Tuesday it quit working. That occurrence became a blessing when it turned into the push I needed to try out another DVD. I honestly don't know why the thought didn't occur to me in the first place, but all well better late than never.
I found one called Cardio Sculpt Pilates and I love it! Being a dancer myself, I like how the instructor, Lizabeth Garcia, is a dancer as well. The exercises are easy on the mind without losing the challenge on the body. I can almost pretend like I'm executing choreography, as Garcia leads me from one movement to the next, smoothly and gracefully. There's a sense of purpose in each exercise.
I'll continue doing pilates three times a week. It's not to hard to fit it in my day because it's only thirty minutes long. As soon as results show up I'll be sure to blog about it.
If you like the sounds of this workout you can order your own copy of this same DVD from Amazon. It also includes a twelve minute strength training bonus workout lead by Tracy York. You don't have to be a dancer to enjoy the amazing benefits of pilates. It truly is a great workout for anyone wanting to get in better shape.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
New Direction
I've found a new passion. Staying active and keeping healthy has taken on a good-sized portion of my life right now. The way the body works and how it responds to the different things we do to it, either good or bad, fascinates me. I've always been inclined to be athletic, but that was simply because my other passion, ballet, involves so much activity. Now I want to take it a step further and find out how to reach my best level of health and fitness, in an effort to improve both my dancing and my daily life as a normal person.
That's why I'm converting this blog from a collection of stories about my fumbling around in the kitchen attempting to create homemade bread, to a spot where I inform you how I'm doing in achieving my goals
I love what I've discovered about making bread, and the benefits are well worth the extra effort. Not to mention the amazing taste, which is more of a testament to the forgiveness of the dough than my bread making skills. I'll admit, I probably could have come up with a never ending series of comical posts, making fun of my general stupidity when it comes to working in the kitchen. But it wasn't meant to be. I love being in the kitchen, regardless of my lack of skill, but I can't seem to write about making bread. I don't know the exact reason why.
But I think I can succeed in informing people about being fit and healthy. I'll talk about injuries as well, such as how to prevent and recover from them. This blog will include new information and tips I've learned and view as worthy enough to share with my readers. It will also be personal. No, it won't be my emotion filled journal on display for the world to see. To view that you'll need to check out my other blog, about my frustrating struggle to thrive in the competitive world of ballet. But it will reveal the ways I like to stay active, eat healthy, and resist the temptations of not so good for you habits.
It's vital that I take of myself to dance, but I also need to take care of myself for me. I'm very excited to continue on this path of building a healthy lifestyle.
That's why I'm converting this blog from a collection of stories about my fumbling around in the kitchen attempting to create homemade bread, to a spot where I inform you how I'm doing in achieving my goals
I love what I've discovered about making bread, and the benefits are well worth the extra effort. Not to mention the amazing taste, which is more of a testament to the forgiveness of the dough than my bread making skills. I'll admit, I probably could have come up with a never ending series of comical posts, making fun of my general stupidity when it comes to working in the kitchen. But it wasn't meant to be. I love being in the kitchen, regardless of my lack of skill, but I can't seem to write about making bread. I don't know the exact reason why.
But I think I can succeed in informing people about being fit and healthy. I'll talk about injuries as well, such as how to prevent and recover from them. This blog will include new information and tips I've learned and view as worthy enough to share with my readers. It will also be personal. No, it won't be my emotion filled journal on display for the world to see. To view that you'll need to check out my other blog, about my frustrating struggle to thrive in the competitive world of ballet. But it will reveal the ways I like to stay active, eat healthy, and resist the temptations of not so good for you habits.
It's vital that I take of myself to dance, but I also need to take care of myself for me. I'm very excited to continue on this path of building a healthy lifestyle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)