Magdalena Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Today was my last class before Christmas. I don't go back until January 5. I really don't want to get out of practise, but I am very limited in how much practising I can do at home. (I don't have much space at all) For some of that time, I'm going to be at my aunts house, and I'll be able to practise even less there. Of course, I'm planning on doing all I can... I was wondering if there was anything in particular I could do (Besides just getting in as much practise as I can manage) so that I won't be out of practise when classes start up again. Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted December 21, 2008 Administrators Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Magdalena, most everyone is in the same situation at this time of year. Sometimes there are some schools that might hold some open classes during New Years week, but I doubt you will find anything open this coming week. When I was dancing I used to be able to find a way to do floor exercises and barre work almost anywhere. One can't really do center work at home, but there is always a way to make enough space for barre work. That is the most important thing to do anyway. Link to comment
Odette/Odile15 Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 I really struggled with this problem over the summer, because during SI auditions I was injured (fractured back) and obviously can't audition, therefore, I had no summer program to go to while my studio was on a break. So, here's what I did: 1. Pilates and Yoga. They are great for keeping your muscles streched and developing ab strength. I'm not sure where you are located, (I'm going to assume the US) but stores like Wal-Mart and Target sell lots of DVDS in various levels. Also, it doesn't take much room. 2. Barre is most important. Any barre you can manage to do will help, even if it's outside or in a bizarre location. 3. Releves are good too. Do lots of them, because it will help keep your feet strong and engage your calf muscles. If you are pointe, releves and echappes on pointe won't hurt either. 4. Small jumps will help with cardio. Since they just go straight up and down, it doesn't require much room. 5. Any streching at all is good bet. Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted December 21, 2008 Administrators Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 The above suggestions are good, except for the relevés and small jumps. It is highly unlikely that you will have a floor that is raised and sprung, and it is really not a good idea to do things which have any impact on hard floors. Link to comment
Magdalena Posted December 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 Thanks for the advice. I will definitely keep on stretching and doing pilates excersizes and as much barre as I can. I know that won't be a problem at my house, although I can't offhand think of a good place in my Aunt's house where I can do barre, but I'm sure I'll find something. Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted December 22, 2008 Administrators Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I have done it in VERY small hotel rooms, so, I think it's probable that you can find a place large enough for, a chair to hold onto, and enough space to lift a leg if you finagle the angles! Link to comment
jakijo Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 Actually, I find these down times very helpful to focus on things besides technique (is this possible?!? ) I have a particularly bad problem with flexibility, and I find it hard to stretch in classes to really extend my extensions (if that makes any sense). But in my room at my parent's house during Christmas break, I can sit for hours in front of the TV and just gently stretch. I can usually get a few more inches or degrees by the time I go back to class in January (I'm looking forward to the, "you've gotten so much more flexible, great extensions!" part of that class...). I also try to focus on my placement by balancing in releve when I do things like cook dinner or do dishes, often in passe or a la seconde! This helps so much for me to just focus on my vices so they're much better. They're also the few things I can do without exacerbating any bad habits by not having that "third eye" watching. I hope my anecdote helps, and I agree with the yoga and pilates tapes, I might try that this coming week! Link to comment
Magdalena Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I didn't end up going to my aunt's house because my family's van broke down; so my father took my brother and two of my sisters and the rest of us stayed home with my mother. I had my room to myself for about five days and spent a few hours each of those days doing barre and stretching. It was a lot of fun, and I'm hoping I did a pretty good job of not getting out of practise. Thanks again for all the advice. I'm counting down the hours until my next class starts. (53 and 1/4) Link to comment
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