Just like that, the new academic year is almost upon us. Whether you spent your holidays sweating it out in the studio at summer intensives, or sweating it out in the sunshine, now it’s time to start thinking about the year ahead. You might be about to start an entirely new school, maybe in another…
Tag: Fitness
Dare to Dance is now on YouTube!
I have been toying with the idea of starting a YouTube channel probably for over a year now. However I have never followed through on the impulse because I had some reservations: I have a lot to learn about editing videos, and like most people, I hate hearing my own voice! However, bringing Dare to…
Finding the balance between health and body positivity
Most dancers I know are pretty obsessed with health: myself included. As people with such a physically demanding lifestyle, it is important that we are well-nourished and energised to get through each day, perform at our best, and avoid injuries. Dance as a profession also demands an especially slim physique, so dancers are usually keen…
Announcing the Dare to Dance Book Club: “Ballerina Body” by Misty Copeland
Hello everyone! Sorry for the short hiatus since my last post. I’ve been feeling pretty down and mopey, so I haven’t been going to class or doing much at all. Now I’ve finally started to snap out of it and I’m getting back to reality. When it comes to these things, it’s so easy to…
Self- Care Tips for Dancers
Dance is incredibly demanding, especially at a serious level. As dancers, we not only give an incredible amount of mental and physical energy to what we do, but what we do also informs the rest of our lives. You can’t keep dance and life separate, because when you dance, it IS your life. When every…
Dance and Nutrition Part Two: Things I Learned from Visiting a Dance Nutritionist
If you haven’t already, start off by reading Part One to this post, where I outline my story with dance nutrition, and how I came to visit dance nutritionist Zerlina Mastin. As promised, here are the things I learned! 1. CARBS ARE NOT THE ENEMY! Dancers, say it with me and rejoice! It’s OK to…
18 Things to Start Doing Today to Make You a Better Dancer
Hi there! I’m sorry that this is my first post this month, I’m currently smack-bang in the middle of my audition season, and I’ve never been so busy! I’ve had 3 auditions so far (one earlier today!) and I’m starting to get in the swing of it; I’ve got about 5 left, depending on call-backs….
Goal-Setting: The Grid Method
Hi all! Sorry about the slight delay since my last post- I’ve been completing and submitting all of my dance course application forms. I’m starting to get my first audition dates through, so more on that soon! In my last post, which you can check out here if you missed it, I talked about my…
How to Improve Your Sleep
This might seem like a strange topic for a dance blog, but it’s surprisingly important. Dancers have to train like athletes, and a huge part of training is allowing your body adequate recovery time. Getting enough good-quality sleep is essential in order to dance at your best, to improve and to get stronger. When you…
An Adult Beginner’s Guide To Ballet: Part One- Is Ballet Right for You?
This is the first of a new series of posts I have decided to write, aimed specifically at those who are thinking of, or have already, taken up ballet as an adult, either for the first time or after many years. I took up ballet later than most, in my mid-teens, meaning that after a few years…