First Pointe Shoes + Ankle Stretching Tips!!!!

Hey guys!  So....I got my pointe shoes today!!!!

Last Friday, two other girls in my class and I were approved for pointe!  Today, my teacher was at a local dance store to help us get fitted, so a girl in my class and I went.  We both got really lucky; she got the first pair she tried on, and I got the third pair I tried.  My biggest struggle was the padding; they gave me Jr. Ouch Pouches to try at first, but the seam across the toes bothered me.  They'd decided I didn't need a toe spacer because my toes are straight, but they gave me one to try to see if it would relieve the pressure on the seam.  It did, but not very much, so then I tried the Pillows for Pointe Super Gellows, which are seamless, with the toe spacers and it was a lot better.

The first pair I tried were by Mirella, not sure of the name, and they just looked wrong; the second pair were by Bloch but were too narrow; and the third pair were the ones I got: Bloch European Balance, size 6.5 XXX.  They make my feet look waaaayy better than they actually are, and they're pretty comfortable (I mean, for pointe shoes).  But I was really surprised by how much it hurt the first time I went up, but it hurts less every time.  It's something you get used to, I guess.

When I got approved, my teacher said that I'm strong, but my ankles aren't very flexible, so I might have trouble getting on top of my box.  And, as you can see, I can't quite get on top of the box.

That's okay though, she said if I stretch my ankles twice a day, they'll improve fast.  Here are some ankles stretching videos you all might find useful:

So, our first class isn't until late October, but I sewed my ribbons and elastics as soon as I got home today because I just couldn't wait!!  Besides these pictures, I'm not going to go up on pointe again until our first class...no use in getting hurt before class even starts.  Anyone else starting pointe soon?  Comment below!!  I'll update again after the first class, but until then, keep dancing!

New Year Goals and Workout

Happy New Year!  At the beginning of last year, I posted my goals for 2013.  I didn't complete all of them, but I did make good progress in certain areas.  Some of them I did complete, but then lost because I didn't practice consistently.  So my goals for 2014 are to keep motivated, keep practicing through the summer, and to work hard to get as strong as I can before I start pointe in the fall.  Comment below what your goals for this year are, and what goals you finished last year!

To start off this year, I did a workout today with these two videos.  It was really fun, but hard.  If you want to try it, do the cardio video first and then legs video, and if you really want to challenge yourself you can do the cardio video again after legs!  Let me know if you try it!  Also, Blogilates has a ton of other workout videos so check them out if you're interested.

Happy New Year, and keep dancing!

Ballet On Instagram

If you have an Instagram, be sure to check out these accounts!  These are just a few Instagram pages that I think every dancer should know about.

@fit4dancers

@ma_petite_ballerine

@real_world_ballerina

@balletzaida

@sharkcookie

@bunheadballet  (Also, check out her blog here)

I hope you like these :)  If you want to know about more accounts you should follow on IG, comment below!  Also, I'm thinking about making a Blogger version of this post...thoughts?

More SYTYCD Motivation!

Has anyone been keeping up with So You Think You Can Dance?  .....I haven't.  Haha I'm only at the Top 16 right now, so don't tell me anything I shouldn't and I won't tell you anything you shouldn't know!  So my favorite girl and guy at this point are Makenzie and Alan.  But I love Fik-Shun, Paul, and Nico too, and my favorite couples are Amy and Fik-Shun and Makenzie and Paul!  Comment below who your favorites are :)

And may I just say Sonya and Christopher Scott are killing everything.

Travis Wall, Season 2.  He started off brilliant, became even more so during his time on the show.  Watching his solos, you can literally see how much he grows and improves with each one.  Now look at him, an amazing, world-famous choreographer.

I saw this, then I hit 'rewind' and saw it again.  And again.  And again.  Like, I have no adjectives for this...whatever magic he's done here.

I hope you enjoyed these.  Keep dancing!

So You Think You Can Dance

So, as you probably already know, So You Think You Can Dance is back.  And as you also probably know, last season's two winners were both ballet dancers!  Since this is actually my second favorite show (behind Criminal Minds hehehe), the theme of this week's motivation post is SYTYCD!  And it's going to be extra long, since I missed last week's post.  Well, enjoy!

These two (above) are my favorite performance and audition.  The videos below are some of the other performances and auditions I thought were amazing...

I've been watching since season one (I was about 7...totally Benji fan haha), my all-time favorite dancer is Kent Boyd, and my all-time favorite choreographer is Mia Michaels :D  If you watch, comment your favorites!  And if you haven't seen it yet, I definitely encourage you to try an episode.  Keep dancing! :)

Cloud

Daniel Cloud Campos (aka B-Boy Cloud), is one of my favorite dancers and in my opinion the greatest b-boy ever.  Very unique, original moves and great musicality.  You might have seen him in Step Up 3 (he was Kid Darkness) which is where I first saw him :D
I'm going to put some of his videos below and if you like them, check out his channel.  There are TONS more!  He's not just a breakdancer; he's also a choreographer, actor, filmmaker, and more.  He's just an all-around artist.

Brilliant, isn't he?  This is this week's motivation.  I know it isn't the type of motivation that makes you want to work toward your splits or better turns or whatever, but I was hoping it would inspire you to find your artist.  Don't forget that dance is an art too.  Try to freestyle a bit-- no choreography, not thinking about technique, and just feel the music.  Be unique and keep dancing!  :)

Also, Happy National Dance Week!  This week, I'm choreographing my own dance to Lovely by Sara Haze to celebrate.  I might upload a video of it if I can find my camera when I finish it!

Hannah Bettes

I'm going to try to do a new motivation post every week from now on.  This week's motivation: Hannah Bettes.  She is unbelievably talented!  She was born to be a dancer - hyperextended knees, high arches, natural flexibility, long legs, etc.  And not only is she naturally gifted, she also works extremely hard.  There is a video of her in the last motivation post.

Another article.  Well, keep stretching!

Recital Update

Class this week was alright.  We didn't do barre, we didn't stretch, we didn't do center or across the floor.  We worked on the recital dance the whole time.  We got our costumes!  Only five of the eight of us are in recital.  They're trying to get a costume for the new girl, but she came too late for them to order one.  So we tried on our costumes and they're gorgeous!  They fit us all perfectly.  They were supposed to drape from our arms, but there's only one elastic instead of two.  I suggested we just put hair elastic around our wrists and pin the fabric to it.  We ran through the dance a couple of time while wearing the costumes, then we took them off so they wouldn't get dirty (they're white).  We were also officially assigned to our spots.  I was center in the beginning line, but then Ms. Athena realized there were six of us, not five (there is a girl in another class that is with us) so I have to move left a bit to split center.  I'm a bit disappointed; last year I was in all the middle/back rows in our groups.  I really like the routine and song though, and I'm so excited!  This is our song, btw.

Ms. Athena said she would tell us more about stage makeup later, so I don't know how we're going to look :O  After class, I asked her if I could use the Pro-Arch foot stretcher and she said "Sure, anytime," so I'm going to use it as much as I can before recital :D  I stay every week after class because my mom has to pick my brother up from soccer at the same time, 20 minutes away.  I usually have about 30 min, but this week his practice ran super late so I had about 45 min to practice.  Since we only had the choreo in class, I did a short barre, some feet exercises, turns, and some turnout exercises.

I did all these stretches and exercises, and I think they work.  My hips and thighs were sore, so I guess they were good lol.

Have you guys gotten your costumes yet?  When's your show?  Keep dancing! :)

End of Spring Break Motivation

I know that spring break is over for most of us now, and if you were pretty inactive over the break (like me...guilty lol) it can be a bit hard to get back into the flow of things.  But a couple videos of amazing dancers and you'll be right back to the Theraband ;)

Her feet. O.o

I know I posted this video before but it never gets old!  Amazing choreography, incredible dancer!

If you need a seriously major boost (like I did teehee), I found the full movie of First Position on YouTube this morning! :D  Also, I found a website I think you guys might like.  They have a lot of nutrition tips and exercise tutorials, check them out!
Fit4Dancers

A Guide to Beginning Ballet

I know that when I wanted to start ballet, I had a ton of questions, but no one to ask.  So I Googled.  It took me months to figure my way around this crazy world of dance.  I'm guessing that every teen interested in ballet is excited, confused, and nervous as I was.  I'm going to try to put all the best resources and tips I've found together to help the absolute beginner.  Hopefully more experienced dancers can find some tips in here too.

1. How to get permission.
Well, first off, you need to introduce the idea of you starting ballet to your parents.  I remember when I told my mom I want to switch studios and styles, her face was so hilariously confused XD  It can be a bit scary, they could say no and crush your dreams, but you'll never know until you try, right?  Try to start the conversation somewhere they aren't too busy.  I always ask my mom stuff like this when we're in the car.  Be prepared to explain to your parents why you'd like to start ballet, and why it would be good for you.  If they seem resistant, mention how ballet will help you with confidence, grace, and discipline, all while helping you get in shape, learn a valuable art and skill, meet new people, and have fun.  Moms and dads can't to resist something so beneficial right? ;)  If money is as issue, offer to help out with some of your savings.  This will help your parents realize how serious you are.

2. How to find a good studio.
Finding the right school is probably the most important thing.  You want to find the studio that is right for you.  Don't just join a studio because your friends go there, or it's close to your house, or anything unimportant like that.  Choose carefully.  Google "dance studio" or "ballet school" and your city's name.  Also search neighboring cities, especially if you live in a smaller city like I do.  Things to look for in a studio include; a good variety of classes, qualified teachers, and a nice facility with sprung floors in all classrooms (very important, to prevent injuries!).  Think about how disciplined and challenging you want the training to be.  Very strict?  Really relaxed?  Somewhere in between?  More serious schools will have some sort of grading syllabus, while relaxed studios might just have beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.  You should also ask your parents about how much they are willing to pay and how far they will drive.
Make a list of studios you think you might like, then start calling them all and see if they offer a teen/adult beginners class, or if you could enroll in a class with younger kids.  Tell them how much experience you have and ask if you can try a class.  Most studios should be fine with you taking a free class just to try.  If not, then ask if you can come in and watch the class.  Do this for every studio on your list, and if you are making arrangements to try classes, then be sure none of them are the same day.  You will probably have a lot of studios to visit (I already have four studios I'm planning to visit next fall, and it's not even summer yet lol), so bring a little notebook when you visit.  Write the studio name, name and time of the class, and the teacher's name.  Right after class, write down your thoughts of the studio.  Some questions to consider: Were the teachers and students nice? Did the studio seem clean and organized?  Did you like the class?  What did you learn, and did you receive any corrections?  Did the class have the right amount of discipline?  Think about stuff like that, and write your observations.  Even ask some of the students how they like their classes.
After taking all the classes, you might know exactly which one you want.  If not, narrow it down.  Cross out the ones you didn't like.  Look at other details: do class times work out with your schedule?  Is the dress code too relaxed or too strict for your liking?  How many classes can your parents afford?  Are there any performance opportunities?  Are the classes at least 60min?  Are there any extra costs like recital, uniforms, or other performances?  Other things to consider.  Think about it.  Re-read your notes.  Then decide.  If you end up not liking it, you can always switch as long as you haven't bought a recital costume or anything yet.  You should try to look at studios again every year, as your interests and experience change.

3. What to expect in a ballet class.
Ballet classes pretty much follow the same format: barre, then center and across the floor combinations.  For example, my class always start with plies.  Other than that, we almost never do the same barre routine.  Some classes will do the same barre every week, though.  The most important thing in class is to not be afraid to ask questions!  I ask everything and anything.  Make sure you show up about 5-10 minutes early, and be sure to thank the teacher after every class.

4. Things to know before starting class.
You can read up on terminology as much as you like before starting class.  There are a few dictionaries and glossaries at the bottom of this post.  But the only thing you really need to know is the feet positions.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth.  Rotate out from your hips, and if you can't straighten you knees or all your toes aren't on the ground, you might be forcing turnout.  Don't try to push your 4th and 5th positions until starting class.  You can learn first, second, and fifth arm positions too, because third and fourth vary by teacher and method.

5. What to wear, and other must-haves.
For your first class, it probably won't matter what you wear.  For my first class, I wore a tank, booty shorts, black leggings, and socks.  I probably looked like I belonged in a ridiculous 80's aerobics video, but I was comfortable and that's what matters.  Socks, tank, and shorts should be fine for your first class or trying out a class.
When visiting a studio, ask the teacher what to wear and record it in your notebook.  You can buy what you need before your second class.  Most dress codes are simple; black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers.  Some are more specific, like leather slippers or different color leos for different levels.  Some are very specific and require a certain model or brand of tights, leotards, and shoes.  Some teachers allow shorts or skirts over the leotard, but ask.  After buying from your local dance store a few times, you will get an idea of your size and can order online.
Some other things you should keep around are an extra pair of tights, a small sewing kit with heavy thread, some sort of pain cream (I'm currently using Arnica gel), and a heavy strength theraband.  I also think that The Ballet Companion is very helpful.  If you don't want to buy it, definitely try to get it from the library.

6. More dance!
Eventually, you probably be completely, absolutely, and totally in love with dance.  You want to dance everywhere, and those few weekly classes aren't enough.  That's when this magic comes is: open classes.  There might be a studio near you that offers an open adult class.  Call and ask if they accept teens in the class.  These classes are gold -- at 8-20 dollars a class, you can take a few to fill in your week.  If you take a trip anywhere, do a little research for dance studios in the area beforehand.  My family went to Tennessee this summer and we had to drive through Atlanta, so I made us stop there so I could take a few classes at Gotta Dance Atlanta.  It's a really great place, try it out if you ever get the chance!  Also, if you live near a professional company, they might offer open adult classes too.  I live between two companies, which both offer open classes.
There's also practicing at home.  You can practice anything at home.  It's like your own personal class and you're the teacher.  Try to work on your corrections.  Or do a 5 day challenge. For example: work on legs on day 1, core on day 2, turns on day 3, arms on day 4, and weak side on day 5.
Then the ultimate awesomeness that only around comes once a year...summer.  Summer intensives are super helpful and can help you with technique and learning other styles.  There are pre-professional summer intensives like Jeoffrey, Boston Ballet, SAB, Houston Ballet, The Rock School, PNB, etc.  These are for advanced and pre-professional students, but don't cross them out yet.  Maybe in a few years, yeah? ;)  But they are also very expensive.  Then there are other summer dance intensives or camps for beginning and intermediate students.  Look at local studios to see if they offer summer intensives, or do a Google search.

7. Pointe, dancing professionally, the future.
It takes a lot of work to dance en pointe.  If you're willing to work hard for several years, then go for it!  Some people will say things like "Oh, your feet aren't right for dancing en pointe", or "Your body type isn't good for pointe, you need to be born for it."  Ignore them.  I believe that with hard work, you can do anything.  I've seen 300+ lbs. girls dance en pointe.  I've seen girls with scoliosis dance en pointe.  I've seen men dance en pointe.  If you want it, then work for it.
Very few dancers make it professionally.  The chances are even lower when you start late.  Some who have natural talent and good training might make it, like Misty Copeland or Elizabeth Parkinson.  For those who don't, there are other options.  Modern dance isn't as particular or technical as ballet, and many professional modern dancers don't even begin modern dance until college-age.  And there are many dance-related jobs, like costume design or physical therapy (which I'm interested in).  I recommend you read Meet the Dancers; it gives you an inside look at how some dancers made it.

8. The stuff no one tells you.
There is so much stuff no one ever tells you!  I'm going to start a rather random list of all the important stuff.  Please comment any others you know!
1) You don't wear underwear under your tights and leotard.  The tights act as underwear, and you don't want awkward panty lines.  You can wear a bra if you feel uncomfortable, but if your leotard has shelf lining it shouldn't be a problem.
2) How to make a proper ballet bun.
3) Dancewear is expensive.  After buying from your local store a couple times, you'll get a sense of your size and can order online.  Discount Dance Supply is my favorite.  Read all the reviews before ordering.  Or make you own stuff.
4) At barre, leave enough space between the person in front and behind you for a full battement.  Angle your body slightly away from the barre for front battements, and towards the barre for battements to the back so you won't kick anyone.
5) You might need to know how to sew to attach elastics to slippers or fix and adjust leotards.
6) After adjusting the drawstring on your slippers, tie it with square knot (pull it very, very tight), cut it to about 2 inches and coat the ends with clear nail polish.  Tuck them inside the shoes when you put them on.  You might want to tape them to the inside with medical tape.
7) Warm up and stretch before you go to class.
8) Wash your dancewear by hand.  It will make them last longer.
9) There are serveral different method of ballet: Royal Academy of Dance (aka RAD), Balanchine, Cecchetti, Vaganova, etc.  You can ask your teacher which one you study.
10) Don't just walk around wearing your ballet slippers.  You don't want to bring outside dirt into the classroom.  Put your shoes on in the classroom, and take them off before you leave.

Ballet Links
I'm going to give you guys every link in my ballet library.  This is every single dance website I've ever saved to my favorites (that was not included earlier in this post).  You've probably seen a lot of them before on my blog, but here they are again.  Also, check out the list of ballet blogs in the right sidebar.
ABT ballet dictionary
Glossary of ballet
Ballet terms
KBM Talent
Ballet Freak
Pure Barre
Yumiko Dancewear
Eleve Dancewear
28 Arabesque Exercises
Dance advice
Homemade Flexistretcher
Pointe Magazine
Balletband
Common Dance Injuries
Ballet to the People
Scottish Ballet Port de Bras
Unique Bodyweight Exercises
Ballet Beautiful
Ballerina Problems
Ballet For You And Me
Dance Technique
DIY SAB skirt
Using a Theraband
DIY Portable ballet barre
Ballet Skills
Learn how to do a split
Ballet Tips
Recital Makeup Tips
Turning Tips
Tips from Sophia Lucia
Exercises for Feet and Ankles
How to make SAB skirt
How to improve turnout
Floor barre
Pilates workouts
Dance Recital Makeup
Wrap Skirts on Etsy
Fit4Dancers

If you have any questions or comments, please comment below!  I hope this helped :)

My Daily Exercise Routine

I have a sort of exercise routine I do everyday.  I don't do the exact same thing everyday though, I switch in and out some exercises.
I always start off with pirouettes.  I like to do modern (legs parallel) pirouettes to the right first; hold, single, double, triple, then quadruple if possible.  Then I do the quarter turn exercise from Anahiem Ballet's Turn Tips video.  I do four quarter, two half, two single, two double, then triple turns if I can.  I'll do some fouettes if my pirouettes were consistent.
After turns, I stretch a bit.  I don't do a full stretch everyday anymore, just some easy stuff to keep loose.  I touch my toes, pike with my feet flexed, a relaxed middle split, etc.
I love this exercise from Joffrey Ballet School's Ballet Fit: get on your hands and knees on the floor.  Pull one leg and your head toward your chest, then kick your leg back and up (like an arabesque) and put your head back, before pulling in again.  I do 15 for each leg.  If I don't do these, I do leg lifts.  I sit with my back straight against the wall, legs straight and pointed in front of me.  I lift one leg as high as I can, hold it for 2, then put it back down.  I do 8-10 of these for each leg, turned out and parallel.
I always do crunches.  Occasionally, I might switch out for sit-ups instead, but only if I'm looking for a challenge.  I do 20-60.  Having proper form in crunches is super important to get the most out of them.

Lately I've been doing push-ups too.  I have to lift a little girl in our recital routine, and I'm scared I'm going to drop her! I'm not strong enough to do more than 10 push-ups on the ground, so I do as many as I can on the ground then do as many as I can against the wall.
I do tons of eleves and releves.  Eleves are like releves without the plie.  Sometimes I do eleves on one leg, parallel, or even just point and flex while laying on my back with my leg bent.  Just as long as it makes my calves and ankles burn.  I especially like eleves in parallel while facing a mirror, so I can make sure I'm not sickling.

I do what I can everyday.  Even if I don't feel like it, taking three seconds to do a pirouette will help me more than doing nothing at all.  So sometimes I do all of these and more.  Sometimes I just do some quarter turns and leg lifts.  If I don't feel up to it, I don't have to do it.  But when it's this short, this easy, I somehow always end up doing something.  I hope you like these exercises, I'd love to hear about your favorite exercises!  Keep dancing, bunheads ;)

Goals Update

I figured I should update you guys on my first set of 2013 goals and my diet (I hate that word...let's call it Jordan's Epic Weight Loss Mission!).  Let's just say that they're both going spectacularly well while also going horribly.  It's kind of hard for me to stick to one consistent plan, so I...ummm...took an off-road path?  I guess that's a good way to put it haha.

My Epic Weight Loss Mission hasn't gone as planned.  For the first about four weeks, I got down to only one or two processed carbs a day.  But then it got a little busy, with lacrosse starting and my mom has this huuuge deadline at work, and I relaxed it a bit.  A lot :o  I'm back up to five or six processed carbs a day (guilty...lol) but I'm definitely getting back on it.  And it worked really great that first month!  I was actually able to squeeze into my favorite jeans from last year :D  They're a size 7, and I wear a 9 or 11 now, so I think that's pretty good for four weeks without changing my exercise habits at all!  I didn't get to run it that 5k though :(  It was earlier than I'd thought, so I would have only had two weeks to train.  I decided not to do it, but I'm planning on doing this 5k in May.  It's not quite a 5k...if you go the wrong route, it can be a 10k!  And of course there's the undead chasing you, no big deal.  I'm so excited, it's going to be so fun!  I ran a mile last week just for fun at this event, and I did pretty alright.  I didn't get my time, but I'm guessing around 10 or 11 minutes based on my first lap time.  I wasn't really out of breath or tired when I finished, but my Achilles were cramping and dying.  Still trying to stretch it out >.<

My goals haven't gone as planned either.  The only thing on my list I've accomplished is a triple pirouette, and I got a quadruple modern pirouette this evening while practicing.  But I've made crazy awesome progress on my non-goals!  My ankles and calves seem much stronger, and my pulling up has definitely improved.  I'm really close on my left front split, I actually sat in it completely while I was stretching with my friends at a sleepover!  (I think they enjoy watching me be gumby hahaha)  I haven't been able to get all the way down again though :/  I think I lost some flexibility after that mile too.  I need to get back to a short barre everyday, crunches, and releves.

My last set of goals are going to carry over to this next goal period.  New goals: before the end of April.
1. Go to an open class at a company school.
2. A consistent fouettes.

Failure is not an option.

I'm also planning on joining a gym again.  I want to get into their Pilates and yoga classes, I heard that it helps to cross-train.  And guess what, guys....I'm going to my very first ballet in a few weeks!  My mom and I just found some tickets tonight at half-price, and I totally jumped on them :D  So exactly three weeks from now, I will be watching Romeo and Juliet.  I'm so excited!!  It's a nearby company/school, and when I was looking through the cast list I actually saw someone I know :O  Have you been to a ballet before?  If you have, I'd love to hear about it!

What are some of your goals for 2013?  What have you accomplished so far?

DIY Ballet Skirt

Hey guys!  Now, I love the idea of making my own ballet gear.  I've already made my own legwarmers, and sewn up the straps on my leotard.  I like making stuff too, so crafts plus ballet equals yay!  My next project is going to be a ballet skirt.

I put a link and video in case you found one or the other hard to understand.  So pretty, right??  I'm going to make one as soon as I find an acceptably adorable fabric!  Or maybe I can get my class together and make some together, that would be fun :D  Happy crafting and keep dancing!

Oh and hey, this is my 50th post :')  Thanks for sticking around guys.  All your comments and just knowing my posts are being read means a lot to me.

Class Update

Class last night was really small.  There were only three other girls, so we got a lot more corrections.  We were going to learn some of our choreography for recital this week, but since there were only four of us so our teacher said we would start next week.  (I kinda feel weird say "my teacher" or "our teacher" all the time.  So I'm just going to call her Ms. Athena from now on, 'kay?  Not her real name btw)  So we kinda reviewed some things and spent a long time on pirouettes.  Fine by me ;)  Also, sometimes we stretch before barre and it huuuurts, so I decided I'm going to stretch before I leave for dance.

I'm going to try this routine next Tuesday.  My class is on Wednesday, so why Tuesday?  Because.....I'm going to a lyrical class next Tuesday!  Ms. Athena said I could take whatever I want for make up classes, so I chose Intermediate Lyrical as my second make up from winter break.  I'm really excited guys!  Do any of you take lyrical?  I've taken like two, but I was mostly in jazz and hip hop before ballet.  So this is actually my first lyrical of this year haha.  I can't wait, I don't know what to wear, and I'm not sure if my mom has said yes yet, but I'm excited!!

Also, I put a new poll on the blog.  Go vote, and keep stretching! :)

Motivation, Again Minus Pointe

Lately I've been looking up choreography to my favorite songs on YouTube.  These are some of my favorite songs and choreo that I just love!

Do we have any hip hop dancers reading?  These are brilliant!

I loooove the guy in the white shirt.  I click the video to 1:00 and I just watch him....I can do this on repeat for several hours lol!

This is not actually one of my favorite songs lol.  This is at Gotta Dance Atlanta.  I went there this summer (not this class though) while my family was on vacation, and it's the best place ever!  If you live in/near Atlanta or you might visit, try it.  And omigosh, the guy in the plaid shirt.  He killed it :O

I hope you guys enjoyed these!  I might make another post tonight, after class.  Yep, today is my make up class....SO EXCITED!!  So I'll try to update you guys tonight :3

Class Hairstyles Pt. 2

This is a tutorial on how to do fancier hairstyles for class.  I love CuteGirlsHairstyles on YouTube, they have lots of, well, cute girls hairstyles hahaha.  Any of their styles that use only the front part of your hair can be pulled back into a bun.  Some of the ones I like are the knotted headband, braid combo (into a neat bun), triple braid tieback, ribbon accent braid, pin curls, and double knots.  If you try these, just make sure to secure them with extra bobby pins!  There are more on their channel too.
Here are some more different buns.

I loooove this one.  I actually wore this one to prom last year.  It's super pretty!

Any Hunger Games fans out there??  Also, you can just put the two french braids in a ponytail and bun it like normal.

And the carousel.  Totally amazing right?  If you have someone who is willing to help do your hair.....lucky!  ;)

I hope you guys like these!  Tell me if you try any :)

I Like Men.

Well, this is my first motivational post that won't include pointe shoes.  Enjoy!

This.  I have no adjectives...it was just so beyond, I can't even..... 

"I don't think Baryshnikov became Baryshnikov sitting around trying to be Nureyev."  Ahaha love it ^_^

I realized that though I love male dancers, I've never added any videos of them.  One of my best friends reminded me.  I like men.  This was for you Goldilocks XD

Work Dat Core

I found this video earlier, thought it was pretty helpful :)

Have you guys heard of Sophia Lucia before?  If you haven't seen it, go look up the video of her doing like, 56 pirouettes!  Well, I'm going to go do some crunches.

Class Hairstyles

I love making my bun before class.  Like, seriously, I start doing my hair half an hour before I even need to start getting dressed.  In my class, a bun is not required and some girls wear ponytails or braids, but I just love buns.  So here is my tutorial on buns.  What you need is a brush, bobby pins, and hair elastics.  A lot of people like to use hairnets and bun pins and hair gel/spray, but my hair doesn't usually fly everywhere so I've found I don't need them.  Here are two ways to do a basic ballet bun:

Using the two elastics to hold it in place works really well when it's a high bun.  To mix it up, try doing a low bun.  You would make the bun the same way, but use only one elastic for the low ponytail.

My hair is thick, so doing the single twist around makes it really high, not classical.  I do the double elastic high ponytail, then a cinnabun.

One way to change up your look is to braid the ponytail before wrapping it.  If you like the cinnabun method better, then make two braids.  When you wrap it, make sure the braid is flat.  You can do the same thing with a fishtail braid or twisting it (I don't know what it's really called...you take two pieces and twist them together.)  If you have bangs and don't want to leave them down, twist or braid them back then secure it with some bobby pins.

I hope this helped!  I'll make another hair post later, one with fancier buns :3  Keep dancing!

Late Starters: Misty Copeland

One of my favorite dancers is Misty Copeland.  She didn't start ballet until she was a teenager, and now she's a soloist!  That's really inspiring to me because it reminds me that I can do anything if I want it enough.  But I don't think I want to become a professional dancer or teacher one day.  Do any of you want a career in dance?

In this, she's only been dancing two years.  TWO!!!  I love the end when she's backstage XD

I promised myself I'd only put one video!  ...oh well.