Throwback Thursday and Stonehenge

Throwback Thursday and Stonehenge

Today for Throwback Thursday, I’m throwing way back – back to prehistoric times, in fact!

The famous circle of huge stones called Stonehenge in Wilshire, England is familiar to most people. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but there is an interesting dance connection.

Stonehenge is often referred to as the Giants’ Dance. According to http://www.britannia.com/wonder/modance.html : “…folklore and other clues suggest, for example, that dance may have been performed at Stonehenge if only through the suggestive description by Geoffrey of Monmouth, writing in the 12th century, who calls Stonehenge the Dance of the Giants ("chorea gigantum").”

Archaeologists believe Stonehenge was built sometime between 3000 to 2000 B.C., and there are many, many theories about why it was built and what it was used for. These theories range from pagan fertility rites, to its being a burial ground. No one knows for sure, but the multitude of theories make for some fascinating reading.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Factoid #190:

“Stonehenge is also known as the Giants’ Dance.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61iy0aBsN9Y

Quote of the Day:

“I know this goes without saying, but Stonehenge really was the most incredible accomplishment. It took five hundred men just to pull each sarsen, plus a hundred more to dash around positioning the rollers. Just think about it for a minute. Can you imagine trying to talk six hundred people into helping you drag a fifty-ton stone eighteen miles across the countryside and muscle it into an upright position, and then saying, 'Right, lads! Another twenty like that, plus some lintels and maybe a couple of dozen nice bluestones from Wales, and we can party!' Whoever was the person behind Stonehenge was one dickens of a motivator, I'll tell you that.”
― Bill Bryson, Notes from a Small Island

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https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

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Wacky Wednesday Rotating Rond de Jambes

Wacky Wednesday Rotating Rond de Jambes

A fun way to shake up the usual rond de jambe combination at barre is to have the dancers change their body facings during the rond de jambes. The rond de jambs can start traditionally, but then as the working leg comes through to first, the body changes to face a different direction (usually side), then back, then the barre, and finally back to the starting point.

This helps add practice in spotting, and especially aids in reinforcing the fact that the supporting foot always pivots on the ball of the foot – never the heel!

Plus, it’s just plain fun to do!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #22h:

“Rotating rond de jambes help reinforce pivoting on the ball of the foot.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWovBKmvf5Y

Quote of the Day:

“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.”
― Dr. Seuss

                Help expand the knowledge base!

 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

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Technical Tuesday Diaphragm

Technical Tuesday Diaphragm

The word “diaphragm” comes from the Greek diáphragma that means partition. The thoracic diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle that acts as the main player in respiration. It separates the chest (thorax) from the abdomen. The diaphragm can be more specifically described as follows :

“Structurally, the diaphragm consists of two parts: the peripheral muscle and central tendon. The peripheral muscle is made up of many radial muscle fibers – originating on the ribs, sternum, and spine – that converge on the central tendon. The central tendon – a flat aponeurosis made of dense collagen fibers – acts as the tough insertion point of the muscles. When air is drawn into the lungs, the muscles in the diaphragm contract, and pull the central tendon inferiorly into the abdominal cavity. This enlarges the thorax and allows air to inflate the lungs.” http://www.innerbody.com/image/musc06.html

Most people become familiar with this muscle (whether they know it or not) when they have hiccups. This is when the diaphragm contracts involuntarily due to certain irritations like eating or drinking too fast.

Dancers can use this muscle for a good cause: the sensation of pressing the diaphragm down can reduce or eliminate “butterflies” before and/or during a performance.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Anatomical Secret #26kk:

“The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.” 

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYB3PtB2jY

Quote of the Day:

“Breath is the finest gift of nature. Be grateful for this wonderful gift.”
― Amit Ray, Beautify your Breath - Beautify your Life

                Help expand the knowledge base!

 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

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Mad Monday Jitters

Mad Monday Jitters

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, most of us are preparing for upcoming Nutcracker or other holiday performances. It’s time to think about onstage hints and ways to calm jitters.

Often when dancers feel insecure about a difficult step or series of steps, they “pull back” and take small steps. This is counterproductive! Instead, if you are feeling unsure, take larger steps, extend your muscles – and breathe! This goes a long way toward lessening jitters and improving performance.

Also, a common problem caused by the adrenalin that powers us onstage is that it also makes us speed up. Concentrate on the music and let its tempo guide you. Really focus on the tempo. Don’t rush – breathe.

These hints can, and should, be practiced in the rehearsal studio so you’ll be well prepared onstage.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #21uu:s

“ To calm performance jitters, reach out and slow down.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykMQOS-mb34

Quote of the Day:

“My friends joke that I’m dead until I get onstage. I’m dead right now as you’re speaking to me.”
― Lady Gaga

                Help expand the knowledge base!

 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/