DanceArt Dear Jenny Archive 96

December 21, 1996

Dear Jenny,

Why are ballet schools so picky? I auditioned for the National Ballet school this fall and I was not accepted because my body was not ideal. I am thin and was better than some of the other girls that they accepted that were my age. The only thing that was wrong with my body was that my torso is quite long and my legs aren't in proportion with them. It is hardly noticeable to me. What does the length of my legs have to do with how I dance?

Don't Understand

Dear Don't Understand,

The people that run these popular schools are under a lot of pressure because of their established reputation and because they understand what an investment they have to make to train a dancer. Basically they want every dancer that starts with them to turn out perfect -- in part because it makes the teachers and school look good.

With this in mind, popular schools audition thousands of dancers a year. They see so many kids that they can play it very safe and pick just the qualities they want. They have to try and predict who will be successful and since they don't have a magic crystal ball, they usually stick with a basic formula that has proven successful for them in the past.

When a school says no don't read too much into it. It just means that you were not exactly what they wanted AT THAT PARTICULAR AUDITION. This is important because it does not tell you what another school, or this school at a later date, might say to you.

Also realize that clothing, like makeup, can be tuned to enhance and camouflage. Certainly you have strict dress codes to satisfy with many auditions and schools, but you will often find that you have some flexibility on the actual style of leotard you wear. If you haven't already done so, spend some time in a dance shop and have them help you find a leotard with leg openings that seem to lengthen the legs a bit and a bodice that shortens the torso. Also try not to tie your shoe ribbons too far up the lower leg, which will tend to make the leg look shorter.

Jen

December 16, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I'm fourteen years old and have just started taking ballet again. (I took classes for a year when I was eight and then had to quit because we couldn't afford tuition.) I love ballet with all my heart and am constantly practicing. However, my mother and I are always arguing. Mother contends that there is really no point (no pun intended) in my attending class because I can never be a professional dancer, or even dance on pointe, because of my late start. Is this true?

Late Starter

Dear Not So Late,

There really is no harm in doing something just for the love of it is there? Dance is one of those rare activities that can keep you entertained, in shape, and meeting new people for the rest of your active life.

Take a peek into some of the adult classes at nearby studios and you'll find women that started point much later than 14. Many do it just for the thrill, to stay in shape, or for the occasional performance opportunity.

If you have your heart set on being a professional and have the dedication it will take then you are part of the way there already!

Try not to worry too much about where other girls are with their technique. While your late start might prevent you from participating in many of the available summer camps and workshops, you should have plenty of time to prepare for a college or university dance degree program. This means you've got to keep the grades up in high school. It gives you the excellent opportunity to also study some other topics that you could base a career on if the dance does not work out for some reason (how about computers?).

You should try to understand the real reason your mother is arguing with you. Simply ask her. Perhaps she is worried about you being disappointed if you aren't successful. Maybe classes are an expense that is difficult for her. Maybe she does not think you'll work hard enough. Who knows? You've got to find out and then figure out how to address the problem. Good luck!

Jen

December 4, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I'm a really odd case. I'm not what you would call a dancer although I aspire to be the best I can be. I am in my fourth year of dance training and I just turned 39. All my life I have been blessed with a good sense of rhythm and natural flexibility. I have progressed quickly in my dance (being placed on pointe in my second year). I have a few areas I would really like to see improvement in. I used to do aerobics with weights (The Firm series) and noticed that I was a much stronger dancer for it. The problem with this was that my quads bulked up very rapidly and with not much effort. For this reason, I dropped the strength training. I am looking for out-of-class conditioning exercises which will make me a stronger dancer but still keep the dancer's long lines. I have also suffered a few injuries (mostly from overuse). I have to be very careful with my left knee (irritated synovial tissue) and have suffered an injury in the pyriformis which is making full splits on one side impossible at the moment. Normally, full splits on both sides, straddles and roll-throughs are no problem. Could you recommend exercises to develop strength for my extensions and jumps, and also to preserve/increase my flexibility. My balance could also benefit from improvement. I am dancing 4 hours a week including company class.

Thanks, Donna

Dear Donna,

Here is a common, and a not so common suggestion on training programs that you could benefit from. It will be more productive to point you in some general directions and let you explore and extract what you need than it would be to get into a detailed discussion.

If you have not done so already, this might be a great time to check out the Pilates system. Taught by some dance schools and colleges, offered in some physical rehab programs, and often a component of 'whole body' or 'new age' health practices this program consists of mat and machine exercises. Expect your body symmetry, coordination, range of motion, strength, and flexibility to be challenged in a good program.

The so called 'Swiss ball' physical rehab programs use a variety of different sizes of inflated balls in some really creative and challenging exercises. Recognizing that balance involves everything from the foot to the abdomen and beyond this program is highly effective at isolating and strengthening muscles that no load bearing or aerobic exercises seem to touch. Nationally, training programs might not be as standardized or as well known as they could be but look for someone that will initiate you into the program with thorough flexibility and strength testing to custom fit it to your needs. This program excels in rehab and prevention of knee injuries both by strengthening the knees and by strengthening the rest of the body to lessen stresses on the knees.

Thanks for giving us a great topic to address. We will make an effort in the coming weeks to post more information about these training programs.

Jen

December 4, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I am a tap dancer able to do pick-ups, wings and pullbacks and would love to take classes in New York.(I might be going to NY for vacation) Could you recommend some of the classes to take... teachers to learn from... workshops, etc.....

regards,
Tap enthusiast

Dear Have Tapshoes, Will Travel,

Now here is somebody that knows how to take a vacation!

It is unfortunate for your travel plans, but our policy on this web site is to avoid making recommendations for specific schools, etc. We need to remain impartial to support the various organizations that will hopefully be listing with our new sister site www.dancejobs.com.

I've not yet found any Internet news groups for tap, but you might poke your head into alt.arts.ballet or possibly rec.arts.dance and post your questions there. (NOTE: Discussion threads in these news groups occasionally tackle material that is in poor taste or contain mature subject matter.)

Sorry I can't be any more helpful. Enjoy your visit!

Jen

December 1, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I'm an 18 yr. old guy whose been doing Ballet for the past three years. I've been making considerable progress in the last year but my lack of flexibility is holding me back. I can do splits on my left side and I've almost got my right side. But I can't get into the straddles for the life of me. Am I genetically disfigured or what? What can you tell me about stretching that might help? The more I do the more I see the need for this flexibility. Is it possible that some people just can't do straddles because of the way their hips are made?

Kindly,
Stretching for an answer

D e a r S t r e t c h i n g,

Straddles are just plain tough. They are more uncomfortable and more difficult to attempt than a straight split and that generally means that dancers won't work them nearly as frequently as a straight split. Thus progress is generally slower or non-existent. Turnout and straddle 'skills' overlap to a degree, but often have to be achieved with different exercises and stretches. While straddles can help you out with some cool jumps and such, I think guys are better advised to place a higher priority on improving turnout at the hips. The reason is to help prevent the knee damage that can occur when turnout is faked by lower leg rather than hip rotation. Turnout will help you keep the knee over the toes, as they say.

Hip socket configuration certainly plays a part in mobility and flexibility but you will know when the joint itself is stopping your progress. Be inconspicuous about it, but test your muscles with finger tip pressure the next time you stretch. If the muscle gives significantly under a few pounds of pressure, it has some stretch left. When you find muscles that are drum tight in the stretch - you found the muscle groups that you are going to need to work on. Gently drum on these muscles in the inner thigh with light 'karate chops' while in a stretch to help get them to relax. Sports massage will help too.

There is also a huge mind game involved in a difficult stretch. The body tightens muscles when under stress or to prevent joint and soft tissue damage when the 'memorized' range of motion is exceeded. This is one of the reasons that your stretching in these areas should be predictable, smooth, and relentless. Settle deeper into the stretch on an exhale and try to think about reprogramming your 'limits' little by little. Healthy muscle can learn to stretch - the mind is a more difficult thing to change.

Never forget to do a complete cool down stretch after class - this will let you walk into class the next day with more flexible muscles. Also make sure that you drink a lot of fluids - this can improve flexibility and speed repairs.

J e n

November 30, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I really love to dance, and I don't want to give it up, but its my first year in high school and I'm really stressed out sometimes. I have to make time for my other commitments but I cant miss dance because I take tap and that's a kind of dance that is hard to catch on to. If I miss class, it takes me a long time to catch up. I don't want to quit because I like the exercise and I love to dance, but how can I arrange my time?

Crazed teen

Dear Time Crazy,

Here are some thoughts that might be helpful:

1) School and dance really need to co-exist with the appropriate amount of attention and dedication. Remember that these activities improve your chances for a successful and enjoyable future.

2) You have a lot of control over the projects and activities that you decide to become involved in. Learn to say NO if the project is optional and does not support your long term plans.

3) Try to reclaim time spent in activities that aren't productive. Usually we spend too much time watching TV, playing computer games, surfing the Internet, etc. Entertainment is an important part of life but it is easy to get involved in these activities and forget how quickly time is passing. Think about using a clock or a timer to remind you to move on to other things if you have trouble with these.

4) Keep your school work with you so you can study whenever you get a few minutes. You might be able to be more productive while commuting to school, waiting for class to start, standing in lines, and such.

5) I HATE the line that goes "do it while you are still young." I'd rather flip that sentiment on its head. My version is "save your less physical, less demanding interests for a later day." If you like both golf and dance and you can only spend time on one what would you do when?

6) Even if life is busy, the things you love to do usually REDUCE your stress levels. Especially when it involves exercise.

Jen

November 27, 1996

Dear Jenny,

What kind of exercises can I do to reduce the size of my hips and butt? Even though I go for ballet 3-4 times a week, I'm still not satisfied with the size of my bum and am almost shy to see myself in tights..... I wear jazz pants instead..... please help I also have bad arches... what can I do?

Regards, fearsome... (i'm a guy)

Dear Fearsome,

If jazz pants let you relax and focus on dancing, then by all means continue to wear them. However, your teacher's corrections will be more accurate if your clothing does not hide your true position and muscle activity.

The increased work load that you will take on when dressed correctly and when under closer observation from your teacher will likely be all the additional work you need to start slowly changing that shape. I'll bet that if you focus on your classes, and support your ballet with a healthy low-fat diet, you'll see the changes you are looking for. Ballet barre exercises should be very effective for you over time.

Some guys have a tendency to develop considerable muscle mass in the lower part of the body. Some sports, weight lifting, and even a small number of ballet exercises can cause a guy's muscles to bulk. If this is the case, talk to your teacher because faster and lighter work can offset some of it.

Many dancers have arches that aren't ideally suited to dancing. The well arched foot certainly has some advantages in dance, but calf and foot muscle strength are probably even more important. You can develop considerable strength and flexibility in your feet by really working on the tendue, dégagé, and relevé exercises you get in class. This can be a slow process -- so hang in there.

Arches that hurt or that cause the ankle to roll inwards can actually put extra lateral stress on the knees - especially when landing from a jump or climbing stairs. A custom built, flexible arch support can be created by a foot specialist and can even be added to your dance shoes to address these problems.

Jen

November 27, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I'm in the nutcracker this year at my dance school. I'm a finale pollichinelle. I really, really wanted to be a regular pollichinelle. My parents say I'm lucky to be in it at all. They try to rub it in by saying I'm a good dancer anyway and that real ballerinas don't care. They ask me to show them my dance a lot. And I mean a lot. I kind of feel sorry for them, but my teacher is so strict even the angels and clara are scared around her. So I can't ask her to be a regular pollichinelle. I know my dance well but I'm just not having fun.

Can't Choose

Dear Wants a Choice,

It is okay to be disappointed that you didn't get the role you wanted. You need to realize that your teacher considers several things when building a cast. You make her decision more difficult if you've missed too many classes or rehearsals, or if you didn't work as hard as you could have all year long.

Even if you are the perfect student and the perfect dancer you are at a disadvantage if you are too scared to tell her how important performing and dancing are to you. If you don't tell her what you want to achieve in dance, and don't show her how you are going to work to get to your dreams, she just might be assuming that you want to be a truck driver later on in life. Wait until the Nutcracker is over before talking to her about it because she probably will not entertain casting changes this year.

Your Nutcracker will only be successful if you control your disappointment and have fun. Go out there and do a great job - you should be considering the performance to be part of the audition for next year.

Jen

November 26, 1996

I am stressed! This Nutcracker I'm doing Waltz, Dew Drop, Snow, Doll, Arabian AND Merlitons! Some days in class my body just seems to give out from all the stress. I love my director, and I don't want to disappoint her, but some days my body refuses to move! What can I do while still preserving my health?

Stress-bomb

Dear stressed,

Whew! I bet even your bows are going to be exhausting with all those roles. This situation is bad for both you and your director because it is so risky for you.

Your homework is to learn to say NO politely yet firmly and to pick your roles carefully in the future. You really do need to be careful in order to survive this performance.

First, make sure you stay really well fed. I'm not talking about a few big, heavy meals. You should be eating and snacking all the time - concentrating on carbohydrates. If this means grabbing bites of granola bars, raisins, bananas, and sports bars like PowerBars as you are between classes, in costume change or during intermission, by all means do it! Don't forget your fluids - get plenty of water too! Never take too much food or water at one time - just a conservatively sized snack. Assign an available stage mom to the task and make sure she sees that you get your munchies.

Make arrangements to see someone that specializes in sports massage. Ideally you could get a quick massage before warm-up to help you recover some flexibility. After rehearsal or a performance another massage will help you relax so you can catch some quality sleep with less chance that aches will keep you from getting the sleep you need. For the same reason, consider taking 2 Advil or similar doctor approved pain reliever before you try and sleep. Even pain you refuse to acknowledge can prevent you from falling into a deep sleep. Do not use alcohol to help you relax or to sleep - it will contribute to dehydration and mood swings that you really don't want to deal with during all this stress.

Try to take a day off each week to just relax and perhaps stretch gently. Pace yourself and most importantly - remember to have FUN!

Jen

November 23, 1996

Dear Jenny,

HELP!! I just switched dance schools(I was at my old one for 5 years) and they already know how to do tap turns that I have never learned. I can do buffalo, six-count and cramp roll turns almost perfectly, but I having the hardest time with my maxi turns. No matter what I do, I can't get the pick-up in. Do you have any advice on how to get them in? Please help me.

Lost dancer in NY

Dear Lost,

Without actually watching you try the turns it is difficult to be specific with my suggestions. However there are some general questions that you should ask yourself. If you can't honestly answer YES to any of them then try focusing on that area until the answer becomes YES.

1) Do you know exactly what the step should sound like? You need to understand, not just recognize the rhythm.

2) Can you fully image the turn? That is -- can you mentally picture yourself doing it? There might be a 'break' in your in-head video that prevents you from seeing the pick-up. Keep running that video tape through your head until the pick-up is displayed consistently.

Relax and give yourself some time to get the step. You picked up a lot of new material in a short time after moving to the new studio - this step will come too.

Jen

November 22, 1996

Dear Jenny,

My dance teachers are on my case about losing weight. I am a little "hefty," but I am not fat. They keep telling me that my weight is going to affect my grade in their classes. They tell me that I will never make the company no matter how well I dance because of my weight. I feel so worthless. Help me. What can or should I do?

Desperately Dieting.

Dear Desperate to Wane,

Your plea had me checking the date on my computer. It's 1996 girl! Your school sounds like they are stuck in a rut that is a few decades old.

Today's most effective teachers, bosses, and managers focus on the positive and use encouragement as a tool to help us reach our best. If constructive criticism is offered, you have the right to expect that it will be followed up with suggestions that will help you address the areas of difficulty.

First, if you've been experiencing rapid weight gain over a short period of time, you should see your doctor because there could be a medical situation that needs attention. If this is not the case and you just tend to stay a bit heavier than your teachers would like they should have pointed you to a nutrition professional that could help you meet your realistic goals safely.

While dance companies are given considerable flexibility in their hiring decisions, your grades while training shouldn't be damaged because you don't fit somebody's concept of the ideal body type. In no case should your weight become the focal point of your dance education. It shouldn't even be the focus of your diet.

How's this for an idea? Drop the word 'diet' from your vocabulary. It is such a stupid, painful, feared word. No wonder it is difficult to stay on a diet. It's very name suggests 'temporary fix.' You want to dance, not yo-yo on the scales right?

You already have an active lifestyle. What you eat should support your dance activities and be just as big a part of your lifestyle. You can't eat carelessly and then expect to fly in the jetes. That would be a lifestyle conflict. Sometimes you have to make a decision. What is more important in your life? Dance or food X?

Miracle vitamins, supplements, diet pills, diet drinks, and miracle food just make other people rich. Do the research necessary to build a proper nutrition program. Do make the lifestyle changes that you need to make to support your dancing and make them permanent.

The healthiest way to eat is to eat a very low fat, low cholesterol, high carbohydrate, high fiber diet. Fruits, veggies, grains, pasta, and legumes are the primary components. Alcohol, chocolate and all meat and diary products can put you in a lifestyle conflict. For more information you could start with the works of Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. John A. McDougall - both have published books on the subjects of eating healthy. A good starting point for your research on the web is http://www.fatfree.com. (this does not constitute an endorsement - ed).

Then, don't forget that we are all built differently and that life is a daily discovery about what we are becoming. Different ballet companies have different rules. Different forms of dance have vastly different needs and ideals. Keep an open mind and experience as many forms of dance and as many performing companies as you can. You'll undoubtedly find the perfect niche.

Jen

November 10, 1996

Dear Jenny,

I don't like dance anymore. Ms. [name withheld] is the best tap and jazz teacher. In the world. She had to move because of her husband's job. I'm so bummed - I hate class now. Mom does not want me to quit class but I HATE IT!

Bummed in Ohio

Dear Bummed Dancer,

Losing a good teacher can be like losing a good friend. Even worse, in fact. It sounds like you've known the teacher for a long time and you are convinced that she was really teaching you a lot. It can really be tough to go back to the studio.

Other teachers might not seem as cool. Or the classes are strange for you.

You should realize that part of what you liked about your old teacher was probably the attention and help that she gave you. When you walk into a new class, or into your old class with a new teacher, you have to start over -- building a relationship with that new teacher.

Is it worth all the work? You bet. You'll never replace your old teacher completely. You'll meet and take from lots of teachers over the years - each has something you can learn. For it to work you have to give the teacher a chance by paying attention, by keeping your spirits up, and by accepting the corrections they give you.

In the long run will you be a better dancer because your teacher moved away? Or a worse dancer?

Chances are, you'll be better. As your skills grow your needs for instructional style and content will shift. No single teacher can provide all that for you in the long run. It is not easy, but learn to view new classes and teachers as a chance to learn something new.

Jen

November 4, 1996

Dear Jenny,

My mom gets really crazy this time of year. I have school, ballet class, and Nutcracker rehearsals almost every day. We fight all the time and my brother has football practices and games to go to. I'm in snow and flowers.

Sometimes I just want to quit. I love to dance but mom is so stressed. She tries to work on her car phone while we drive to class and we never get to talk about stuff.

Things are Wacko

Dear Wacko,

You thought being a kid was tough - being a parent in the 90's is really difficult. You are part of her over-achieving lifestyle - she wants you to excel and to have as many opportunities as possible.

I can't suggest that you quit dance to lighten your mother's burden - you might regret that decision for the rest of your life. You and your mother really need to work through this together -- do some homework before going to talk to her about it.

You can't ignore the situation because it is hurting your relationship with your mother and it is damaging your will to dance. Your homework is to see if you can interest other dancers in car-pooling or taking public transportation with you. Go to your mom with a plan and she'll understand that you mean business and that you want to stay in dance.

She will probably be thrilled to not be driving you every day. Make sure that she understands that you want to spend some of that recovered time with her just doing girl stuff with her. Remember - timing is everything! Be careful about when you have this conversation so that it will be as effective as possible. Don't do it when she has the car phone glued to her ear. Good Luck!

Jen