Targets!!!

Target 1: Flexibility

Stretching before and after class will enable your muscles and ligaments to become used to being stretched over their present capacity. It is better to stretch in a warm environment, this will help your muscles to heat up quicker which will make it easier to stretch and it will be a lot less painful. Whereas if you are in a cold environment it would take longer for your muscles to warm up and you're more likely to cause injuries this way. Cooling down is just as important as warming up. If you did not cool down, your muscles will seize up and tighten this can lead to serious damage to the muscles.

Target 2: Strength

I want to improve my core strength and I can do this by doing many different abdominal exercises in my spare time. I should aim to do about several different exercises in a week for a decent amount of time. I need to make sure I do these exercises properly for example The Plank. In the Plank pose, I need to make sure that my body is parallel to the floor, and that my lower back is not arched and that it is my core that is focal point of this  pose. It is very easy to put strain on the lower back to compensate for a weak core.I could also do 50 crunches in the morning and 50 crunches in the afternoon.             

Target 3:Extension

I would like to improve and develop my extension,especially in my legs. If I am not focused on the extension of my legs, they tend to look like they are ever so slightly bent if I am not careful. I think that this is a common problem for dancers that have no hyper extension in the leg whatsoever.  The way for me to improve this is to attend more Ballet classes. In Ballet, almost all of the exercises at the Barre and the Centre are focused on extension. Also I could do extra leg lengthening exercises at home, such as Tendus, rond de jambe terre, fondus and developpes.

  

Dance UK-Physical Differences Session!

   

Dance UK-Physical Differences Session

• Biomechanics- the study of the structure and function of biological systems such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells by means of the methods of mechanics.
• Heredity-the genetic material from your parents. What you're able to do is a combination of how you brain works and your genetic heritage.
• Psychology- the scientific study of Human mind and it's functions. 
• Physiology- how the muscles move the bones.
• Fast twitch fibres- fast twitch muscles are good for shorter activities or for quick movements like sprinting,jumping to catch a ball, etc. They contract quickly but rapidly get tired.
• Slow twitch fibres- slow twitch muscle fibres are good for long activities such as Long distance running, cycling, swimming, tennis, basketball and dancing. They can work for a long time without getting tired.
• Varus- Bowed legs causes additional stress on the medical (internal) area of the knee.
• Hypermobility-the way the body is structured.

    I feel I have gathered so much knowledge from lesson . I’ve         learnt that I have slow twitch fibres, which explains why I am       better at longer activities, before this class I had no clue         what slow and fast twitch fibres even meant. I learnt the           meaning of so many different words which will definitely help me     within my studies about dance. 

        Written by Honey Makwana

What makes a good dancer???

What makes a good Dancer???

• Diet, Nutrition & Hydration   

 Eat healthily. Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy life style. Also for physical activity, your diet is so important because you need to control your weight and also you can get very ill if you're not putting the right food into your body. 

Different styles of Dance.          

There are many different styles of dance such at Ballet,Contemporary, Jazz, Street dance, Modern, Tap and many more. As a dancer I think it is very important to be able to do a variety of styles because you never know what opportunities may come your way which are not in your most experienced style.   

• Strength

Strength is so important. Not only that it's important in Dance, it's important in general life. One way dancers express themselves, is by stretching their joints. This is good for flexibility, jumping and so much more. But one of the most important things about stretching, is that it prevents torn muscles. Without stretching your hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteus, you would have some serious injuries. 

• Performance Skills   

I think performance skills makes a dancer look a lot more professional and it also draws the audience's attention. 
      
 Expressive Performance skills are aspects such as: 

          Musicality
          Focus
          Timing
          Expression
          Projection

   Technical Performance skills such as:

         Flexibility
         Strength
         Posture
         Balance
         Coordination
         Control
         Alignment
         Stamina
         Agility

 All of these skills are part of a dancer's life, they are always used in some way within either a dance class or shows, for example where the focus should be, what count a certain move is on, how high or low the leg should be when doing a Developpe or a kick, etc.

 
  Fitness and Motivtion

 Being motivated is a key factor for a dancer because it's extremely hard work. This is why it is really important for a dancer to stay fit. Without being fit, your body wouldn't be in shape to do the demanding exercises required. If you are really fit you are even more motivated because it feels great to be dancing, whereas if you are unfit it wouldn't feel good and you wouldn't enjoy it.

 
Written by Honey Makwana.