inamorata ballet

Update - not in the best of moods

2009-03-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

Over the next few months I will be writing less about dance and more about other stuff.

A bit depressed over the weekend as my former sweetie ended things. He said it is because we are too far away but there has to be more to it. Will talk to him later in the week for “closure”. Not sure if that will help anything.

Began looking at online dating sites, finally wrote to one guy and he responded – he recently moved to another country! Too bad but it was nice of him to respond.

Currently watching the show: Housewives of New York City.

Did get a chance to go to the hand car wash, that was very nice.

Updates

2008-12-05T16:06:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted for a while. Here are some updates.

- I have taken time off from ballet classes and have been going to Pilates mat class 2x per week.
- The latest advice from a doctor was to have rocker bars put on my shoes and to get a pad for my ballet slipper. From what I read on the internet it relieves pressure on the big toe. I hope this will help. I have been putting off going to the orthodic place for that for a while.
- My doctors don't agree on what is wrong with me. One says I have hallux rigidus and the other says I simply have arthritis and doesn't think the rocker bar would be the greatest idea
- I have to find out if I will be having any prolotherapy / PRP injections in the future.
- One of my Pilates mat teachers is going to stop teaching my class! I will miss her.
I hope they don’t cancel the class, attendance has been pretty low lately (good for me but not so go for the school / teacher). I am looking into other schools for Pilates (reluctantly at this point).
- I have to see a Hematologist because one of my blood tests came out off the scale (my platelet count is too high. Could it be from the PRP injection???). More on that after I see the doctor.
- I got some cool exercise pants from the Danskin outlet.

Due the lack of dance I might start touching upon other subjects from time to time, like my new guilty pleasure, watching the Real Housewives of Organge County, season 4.

Kids Books, Class and PRP

2008-08-08T08:51:00.004-04:00

I haven’t posted for a little while, I meant to post after my class last week but that just didn’t happen. A few things:

Karen Strickler Dean book:
When I was a teenager I read all the Karen Strickler Dean books about the dancer Maggie Adams. Here is one for sale on eBay. However I would recommend that you read them in order (which is pretty much "Maggie Adams Dancer", "Between Dances", and "Stay On Your Toes Maggie Adams". Karen Strickler Dean also wrote "A Time To Dance".

I did not read her other book, Mariana, however.

Class: I have been to ballet class twice in the last two weeks. I didn’t do the jumps at the end of class, that used to be my favorite part of class but now I guess it doesn’t matter too much. I was sad to miss the sissonne / pas de chat combination but someday I hope to be doing that stuff soon. We did some combinations with pirouette in two groups and the teacher commented on how well we worked together (since you have to quickly get out of the way to let the second group begin).

Going to class twice in two weeks is not much but it is a big deal for me.

PRP: I had my first PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Injection a few days ago. I will keep this short: A few minutes after I got to the office (they are quite efficient there) one of the assistants drew blood and spun it in a centrifuge to separate platelets I would have been interested to see the machine but they perform that task in a different room. Then the doctor came in and introduced me to another doctor that was with him. The doctor injected some anesthetic, and then one of the syringes filled with the blood and that was just about it. I always get nervous so I squeezed a rubber ball and didn’t look while they performed the injections. The doctor said that there will be more pain in the next few days than with the regular prolotherapy injections. I have been sore but nothing horrible.

Here are some links related to PRP (you can also see the links on the sidebar):

http://www.biomet.com/patients/clinical_recruitment_recover.cfm

http://www.northjerseyoralsurgery.com/oral_surgery_teaneck_nj/prp.html
(for oral surgery but a good description)

Here is a Cute article about a dancer who has kept all of her shoes.
I don’t think that 9 is late to start ballet but that is just my opinion.

Off to Pilates either today or tomorrow. Have a great week

Blog Entry, Internist

2008-07-20T15:22:00.008-04:00

Read this really great post about a professional dancer taking adult ballet classes from Taylor Gordon's blog. I don't want to comment on it now as it made me a little emotional. I miss my classes a lot.

I recently visited the internist / GP for my annual checkup. He is a traditional doctor but I think he is a pretty smart guy so I mentioned that I currently see a D.O. for prolotherapy and plan to also have PRP injections (note: I am scheduled for early August). The doctor said had never heard of prolotherapy and said not to spend too much time on the experimental stuff. He suggested looking into cortisone shots and anti-inflammatory medication. I was not surprised.

One interesting thing I learned this weekend - a young relative of friend of a friend of a friend was planning on auditioning for the role of baby June in Gypsy on Broadway. She had performed the role in other occasions (at other theaters) but in this case they said she could not audition because dancing in Pointe shoes is required. I love Gypsy but I don't remember Baby June dancing in Pointe shoes in the movie or when I went to see it on Broadway many years ago.

However I did find this link that mentions that the real Baby June danced on Pointe at the age of 2!! I will have to check that out some more.

Check out the latest video below from Aneheim Ballet. Dance jam. I love how they incorporate a puppy and roller skating into their routine.

Have a great week.

Prolotherapy Video and venturing into PRP

2008-07-09T22:30:00.008-04:00

I thought I would share a video I found - Is Someone a Prolotherapy Candidate? Dr. Ross Hauser, Medical Director of Caring Medical & Rehabilitation Services.

Today I had another Prolotherapy injection, this time in a slightly different area (by the joint capsule whatever that means). The doctor mentioned that maybe I should stop going to yoga for a while since it is pretty taxing. Maybe I can go to ballet next week but I am not sure. I miss it. I am looking forward to going to my usual pilates class later this week though.

Since the Prolotherapy does not seem to be having much of an immediate effect, we are going to try Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections in a few weeks. I am a little nervous because I heard that the injections hurt more than regular Prolotherapy injections. I have posted some links (on the sidebar) if you are interested in learning more.

I welcome your comments or questions at

Lovely video and foot situation

2008-07-06T15:08:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July or just a great weekend (as it looks like a lot of visitors to this blog are from overseas). My feet continue to ache this weekend. I will go to Pilates next week but it looks like no yoga for a little while, especially since I am probably having another injection during the week. I thought I would post this lovely video from Aneheim Ballet - Rwanda Remembered. Aneheim Ballet posts new videos almost every week.

First Yoga Class

2008-07-03T15:25:00.003-04:00

Well, I finally tried something different. I went to my first yoga class the other day.
I was so sore the next day I almost cried at one point. I never felt that way after a Ballet or Pilates class. It also aggravated my sore foot a bit. The soreness is going away little by little. I am using a little more Capzasin than usual. The teacher was very nice and supportive and I liked the music she played and the little talk she gave about respecting your body at the end of class.

I admire the people in the class who did the yoga poses with such ease. I might have another prolotherapy injection next week so I may try another yoga class the week after next.

Still absent from class

2008-06-19T18:26:00.000-04:00

My foot is still a little sore and swollen from my latest prolotherapy injection so I have to skip class tonight. I am hoping I can go next week. Not to mention that my “good” foot has been pretty sore as well but it is better today. I will go to pilates as usual tomorrow.

Meanwhile I am trying to eat healthy and take my vitamins.

The DVD for Divertissement Everyday Dancer’s stories came in the mail the other day. I don’t have a lot of free time these days but I hope to watch it as soon as possible. I am sure it will be great. Check out the website and view the trailer.

Somewhere between recovery and quitting

2008-06-13T17:19:00.002-04:00

I stopped blogging when I got injured (and a little depressed). However I would like to continue posting and share my story. I think that maybe if I can help one other person that has a similar problem then maybe I have done some good.

Here is my story so far in (barely) a nutshell:
Feb 08 – Began feeling stiffness and discomfort in my big toe.
Mar 08 – Had MRI. Was diagnosed with cartilage loss / arthritis in the toe and it was suggested by the Dr. that I consider quitting ballet.
March 08 – Really cut down on dancing, began doing more pilates mat classes
May 08 – After much research I decided to begin prolotherapy with a highly regarded Osteopath.
Now (June 08) – After two prolotherapy sessions the toe feels a little better. I am going back in three weeks for a follow-up visit and maybe another injection. There are no guarantees but I have hope. I am still taking ballet but much less frequently.

I am starting to enjoy the extra pilates mat classes more and the teachers are very supportive (I no longer feel like wearing an "I'd rather be in ballet class" t-shirt). My ballet teachers don't understand why I have an injury that won't go away.

Now my “good” foot is beginning to feel a little sore maybe from putting all that extra weight on it since Jan and hopefully it will get better.

Since I can’t take ballet more than once a week, I am planning to add yoga to my schedule. I have to admit I know next to nothing about yoga but I guess I will learn. I will post more regarding my experience with prolotherapy, as I have so far found the experience to be very interesting to say the least.

Stay tuned.

En dedans, en dehors, sissone and skipping class for Pardo's Restaurant

2008-01-18T17:55:00.000-05:00

dedans, en ["inward"]. Used to describe motion toward the front of the body. In a pirouette en dedans, the dancer turns so the raised leg moves toward the front. In a rond de jambe en dedans, the working leg moves in a half-circle from the back toward the front.

dehors, en ["outward"]. Used to describe motion away from the front of the body. In a pirouette en dehors, the dancer turns so the raised leg moves away from the front. In a rond de jambe en dehors, the working leg moves in a half-circle away from the front toward the back.

batterie baht-tree' Battery; beating.
A general term used to describe the beating of the legs (2) batterie a ballet movement consisting of beating together the feet or calves of the legs during a leap

As usual it is Friday and I am sore from yesterday’s class. We did some enjoyable combinations though but I struggled with the Sissonne. Someday I will get it.

Off to Pilates tonight. Last Friday I skipped Pilates to have dinner with friends at Pardo’s in The Village (you have to try the yuquitas and of course the chicken). I missed having class but the dinner was fun and it was unseasonably warm.

I still need to buy tights either at Sansha or from Gaynor Minden (If I buy from Gaynor Minden it would have to be via internet or or by sneaking out for a long lunch hour). For the holidays, my friend gave me a Sancha gift certificate with some cute dance and ballet keychains. If I have time, I will try to post a photo of the keychains.

Some news stories and of interest (as usual not totally new)

Quotes from Mr. Andros - The Best of the Androisms
He was my teacher’s teacher…..This is very funny! Check it out.

Ballet, with tubular bells on
Calgary of a ballet based on Mike Oldfield's 1973 instrumental album Tubular Bells

Older dancers can be a revelation

(The last two links below seem to be circulating around but just in case you haven’t seen them...)

Ballet veteran, 93, proves that age is no barre

Ballet dancer, 88, takes to stage

Have a great weekend! Comments and questions can be sent to inamorataballet@gmail.com

Sissone, dance news links and this explains why I stay in the intro class

2008-01-10T13:53:00.000-05:00

From Celebration Dance Company’s dictionary:
Sissonne (see-sohn) A jump from two feet to one; this jump can be done closed (fermé) or open (ouverte), forward, sideways, or backwards, and over (dessus) or under (dessous).

Below are some links that I enjoyed. I haven’t had to chance to post in the last few days so while they aren’t new, they are still of interest.

I was not not feeling too well this week, very tired and fighting a cold. But I am better today and off to the always challenging Thursday evening class. Last week I really messed up on the Sissone combination (see above) no wonder why I stay in the intro class.

Cuban Ballet Choreographer Alberto Alonso Dies at 90
Cuban ballet choreographer Alberto Alonso died on January 1 at the age of 90 at his home in Gainesville, Florida. According to his family, he died of heart failure. He has been living in Gainesville since 1993 when he received political asylum. According to the New York Times, he entered Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville as master artist and was resident choreographer for the Dance Theater of Santa Fe…………

YouTube a stage for ballet-troupe idols
YouTube clips, "American Idol"- style votes and video podcasts are helping change the face of dance, thanks to Ballet Nouveau Colorado's 21st Century Choreography Competition. The Broomfield-based company opened the contest in September and announced the finalists Friday. Each will travel to Colorado to choreograph and rehearse their pieces for a final-round performance in April, with winners netting cash and the ability to produce more works

Tiny Dancers Will Take Center Stage at San Francisco's Tutu School
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - January 7, 2008) - In a pop culture dominated by rock-n-roll, hip-hop dance, and "High School Musical," many still believe that teetering tots and precious pre-schoolers can benefit from early exposure to classic art, including tales of Sugar Plum Fairies and Dying Swans. With this novel idea as the fundamental principle, Tutu School will open its doors on January 21, 2008 in San Francisco, California's to the young artistes of tomorrow….

A Young Ballerina Learns to Use Her Height to Artistic Advantage
Since being named a soloist in 2005 she has preserved her poise and attained a new rigor in her technique. “It took me a long time to realize that you can try too hard onstage,” she said after a company class one day last month at the New York State Theater. “Sometimes you just have to settle down. I would always have good shows when I was really tired, and I think it’s because I just did what I had to do.”

She smiled. “Experience is a big thing,” she said, “and I guess I’m starting to finally have some of that after seven years.”

Her height makes her regal authority all the more apparent. Ms. Reichlen can’t hide. She is tall: 5 foot 9 before rising on point. While such stature does leave her out of the running for certain roles, it can also be an advantage. To enhance her dancing with a touch of rubato — a kind of teasing or playing with the music — she uses her elegant limbs to slow down moments or stretch them out like taffy……….

New Social Networking Sites for Different Dance Communities
A number of new private-label social networking sites have launched recently for dancers with diverse interests. Kristin Sloan, creator of The Winger, launched The Inter Mission, which caters primarily to the ballet community.

Hair Bun - Advice from the hair stylist to the stars on achieving the ultimate updo for girls.
Hollywood Hair Guy: The Perfect Ballet Bun

Why do pilates?
Beatrice has been coming to Pilates regularly over the past few months, and she has a fun and engaging presence in class, which made me think it would be neat to get her ideas on what makes Pilates special.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T14:48:00.001-05:00

I wish everyone a happy new year full of happiness and great dance classes.

Below is a video to enjoy from L'ecole de ballet, opera de paris.

Third Positon, Classes and Dveloppé

2007-12-31T12:54:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all.

I finally added the inamorata ballet logo to the right last night. I wanted it on the top of the page but for some reason Blogger was giving me a hard time with that.

Check out the links below – Susan Jaffe’s demonstration and Rosalie O’Conner’s positions. Lovely.

Third position (Troisième position): (you can see all positions in this link)
In the third position one foot is in front of the other, heels touching the middle of the other foot.

I recently took an intro class with a substitute teacher and she asked us to do an exercise in third position. I had never had a teacher ask us to do something in third position but I guess it is a good idea for real beginners.

Developpé
Time developed, developing movement. Through common usage the term has become abridged to développé. A développé is a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and slowly extended to an open position en l'air and held there with perfect control. The hips are kept level and square to the direction in which the dancer is facing.

Now am I crazy or are some teachers pronouncing it kind of like “Devel–coupe.” Someone please let me know. At first I was trying to figure out what a Devel-coupe was but now I realize that some people have a different way of pouncing it.

It is been tough the last few weeks for ballet since I (along with most people) have been eating more than usual and there have not been any classes on on Mondays and Tuesdays for the last two weeks.

On top of that my knee began bothering me after class last Thursday and I was still in discomfort on Friday and didn’t go to Pilates mat. The knee is slowly getting better though, hopefully I can go to class on Wednesday and/or Thursday.

I don’t believe in New Years resolutions but there are a few things I want to try in 2008. One goal I have for the coming year is to try a couple of new/different classes. This includes taking some Beginner level classes a few times instead of basic beginner, try a different school and get myself to a Sunday class now and then! Also I am trying to see about taking Pilates and water aerobics during my vacation (unfortunately there will not be any ballet there) but I have a little time for that. I send you all the best wishes for a great 2008.

Jeté, Pirouttes and other things....

2007-12-16T19:06:00.000-05:00

Jeté, grand [grahn zhuh-TAV]
Large jeté. In this step the legs are thrown to 90 degrees with a corresponding high jump. It is done forward to attitude croisée or effacée, and to all the arabesques. It may also be done backward with the leg raised either croisé or effacé devant. Grand jeté is always preceded by a preliminary movement such as a glissade, pas couru or coupe.

Pirouette [peer-WET]
Whirl or spin. A complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe. Pirouettes are performed en dedans, turning inward toward the supporting leg, or en dehors, turning outward in the direction of the raised leg. Correct body placement is essential in all kinds of pirouettes. The body must be well centered over the supporting leg with the back held strongly and the hips and shoulders aligned. The force of momentum is furnished by the arms, which remain immobile during the turn. The head is the last to move as the body turns away from the spectator and the first to arrive as the body comes around to the spectator, with the eyes focused at a definite point which must be at eye level. This use of the eyes while turning is called "spotting." Pirouettes may be performed in any given position, such as sur le cou-de-pied, en attitude, en arabesque, à la seconde, etc.

I haven't been to class for a week because I took a short vacation. One of my more recent ballet classes was interesting, it was during a vacation day. I went to a morning class which I can normally never do. I went to a basic beginner class with a teacher I never took class from before.

I enjoyed the class very much, he really focused a lot on turns and jumps with other teachers shy away from sometimes. We did lot of Pirouettes and Grande Jetés (See definitions and videos above. I would like to try to fit another class with him into my schedule someday.

I also enjoyed the Nutcracker performance last Friday. I hadn't seen the Nutcracker since I was a little kid. The cast and costumes were beautiful.

Back to work and class tomorrow!

Below is a video with some beautiful dancing. Embedding is disabled so click on the link to view it.

Etoiles Dancers of Paris Opera Ballet Rehearse Swan Lake - Part 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pmFvaURRbQ

Link to NY Times Article: Tips for Ballet Dancers on the Art of Staying Well

2007-12-03T08:38:00.000-05:00

I found this link to the NY Times Article mentioned above in the Kat Wildish newsletter. The Kat Wildish newsletter is great, it has lots of links to articles and information about her classes.

You can go to her site here and subscribe if you are interested.

Which is more mentally and physically demanding, ballet or football? Ballet, according to a 1975 study by Dr. James A. Nicholas in The Journal of Sports Medicine. The study, which examined 61 different activities, ranked ballet most physically and mentally demanding, followed by bullfighting and then football.

Many things have changed since 1975, but the study calls attention to a fact often overlooked by audiences and dancers alike: ballet may not quite be a contact sport, but dancers are, without doubt, athletes.
Growing awareness of the physical demands of ballet was manifest last weekend at the Rose Building at Lincoln Center, where 95 dancers, dance teachers, students and administrators gathered for New York City Ballet's first Wellness Weekend, a public program of panel discussions and workshops that covered topics from burnout and bunions to cross-training and basic cooking skills. Read more here...

I found (actually purchased) some nice ballet graphics for this site. But my computer is going into the shop today (for an upgrade, I am hoping to squeeze another year or two out of my so far very reliable PowerBook G4) so I might not be able to spruce up this site for another week. I am hoping to get a larger hard drive, more RAM and maybe a faster wireless card. We will see, I will let you know how it goes.

Basic Beginner class tonight! My teacher (like many teachers this week) is busy with the Nutcracker this week so there will be a substitute. I find that the substitutes tend to be great so I am looking forward to it.

Pas de Chat and a stretching video

2007-12-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

Pas de Chat:
Cat's-step. The step owes its name to the likeness of the movement to a cat's leap.

I am looking forward to seeing the Nutcracker next week. Hopefully I can find time to write about it after I see it.

Class was good as usual on Thursday. The class was a little smaller so the teacher asked if there were any requests for center work. I requested Pas de Chat (check out the quicktime video with a demonstration).

My question is, why is this step always ignored in my classes in New York? When I took the ballet class during my vacation in Seattle we had to do a combination with Pas de Chat across the floor....

Of course I proceeded to mess up the step (in both classes) but it is always a learning process.

I was so tired yesterday I didn't go to Pilates mat class. And today my foot is hurting again. I visit to the podiatrist might be in order soon. In fact I am planning to change podiatrist and go to one who is more specialized in sports injuries.

Below is another great video from Anaheim Ballet about Stretching. I love this one, especially the end (...don't do this for longer then 30 seconds.....).

Lets hope my foot gets better and we are all injury free!

Classes + Latest Anaheim Ballet Video

2007-11-24T16:15:00.000-05:00

I had a good ballet class on Wednesday and Pilates mat on Friday. I can't believe that I to class the day after Thanksgiving but I enjoyed it. The Wednesday class (basic beginner) reminds me that I need to stop going to the intro class eventually. We did a nice pique turn combination.

Below is the latest Anaheim Ballet video. They began posting videos a year ago and these are scenes from almost all their videos. Enjoy.

Link to blog entry

2007-11-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

I just had to post this link from the Great Dance blog: "I walked out of my dance class last night" Check it out.

I say, good for him to walk out of class if he felt unsafe. I would love to take Jazz dance someday, I think I will stay away from Horton Technique.

Also for your enjoyment is a YouTube video from Anaheim Ballet: The Pointe. What is that liquid called?

Inaugural Blog Entry

2007-11-16T18:26:00.000-05:00

Class (in French, also leçon ["lesson"]). A ballet class is a carefully graded sequence of exercises lasting, typically, an hour and a half. The work falls into three parts. The first part consists of stretching and warming-up exercises done with the support of the barre. You may spend anywhere from forty minutes to an hour at the barre. Then you move to the center of the studio to work without support. The second part of class, called adage, consists of slow work in which the emphasis is on sustaining positions and on balance. The final part of class, allegro, consists of fast work, mostly combinations

Welcome to my new blog. Actually I had been keeping a blog since I began ballet class last October 2006 but I felt it was time to start over with a new name - inamorataballet I will not be giving my real first name at this time but who knows what the future hold. I may even tell you where I got the name inamorataballet (it’s not what you think).

So what a way to kick off the new blog – by skipping my class (The intermediate ballet class that masquerades as a basic beginner class). I had a bad headache and a sore throat last night and I don’t want to get my self more run down so I went home to try to rest.

I just returned from vacation so I am more out of shape than usual. I did take a ballet class on the West Coast and enjoyed it very much. I had researched and sent emails to a few ballet schools when I was at home. Two friendly teachers returned my email and told me that they would love to have me in their class – they made me feel very welcome.

In the class during my vacation (it was a “Beginner/Intermediate” adult open class) there was not any live accompaniment and the teacher did not seem to emphasize technique as much as my teachers in New York but the she was very warm and did push us with the barre exercises a bit. The class ave me a new prospective after taking class at the same ballet school for a year.

I highly recommend if you have the time during your next vacation to try to do some research in advance and arrange to take a ballet class during your vacation.

I will hopefully be able to go to Pilates Mat class tonight. Wish me luck!