Throwback Thursday Chicken Dance

Throwback Thursday Chicken Dance

In the category of “you can’t make this stuff up” comes the Chicken Dance. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, today’s Link is a clip of dancers from the Laurence Welk show performing this little ditty.

According to at least one internet source, it is “widely understood” that today’s chicken dance was inspired by the ballet La Fille Mal Gardee. As a side note, this ballet was choreographed by Jean Dauberval just two weeks before the storming of the Bastille.

La Fille Mal Gardee features an extended variation of chickens dancing, hence the reputed connection to today’s Chicken Dance. Many other choreographers have restaged and added their own stamp to La Fille Mal Gardee, notably Frederick Ashton (see second link).

La Fille Mal Gardee It is in the repertoire of many ballet companies today.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Factoid #135:

“The ballet La Fille Mal Gardee is said to have inspired today’s Chicken Dance.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UV3kRV46Zs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAAodYX3xI8&list=PL8tF0Gmb2DuJN6kMpODOXuxIj3oQFpJ8M

Quote of the Day:

“If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens.”
― Grandma Moses

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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 Knee Level

Wacky Wednesday Knee Level

Cities are often described by how close they are to sea level. A mountain city might be 4000 feet above sea level, while Miami exists at sea level. Parts of New Orleans are (gasp!) below sea level (hence their systems of seawalls and dikes).

All this brings me to grand pliés in second position. Dancers often go deeper than they should, allowing their pelvis to drop below their knees. They go below knee level. Not good. This puts a strain on the knees, and serves no useful purpose.

Instead, the pelvis should go just to knee level. Just like cities, going below sea level (or knee level) creates problems.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #2dd.:

“In second position grand plié, the hips must not go below knee level.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_45pZRHPFI

Quote of the Day:

“Men argue. Nature acts.”
― Voltaire

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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/

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Technical Tuesday Spleen

Technical Tuesday Spleen

The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system. It is about five inches long and shaped like a shoe. It sits between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm and is connected to the left kidney by a single small ligament.

The spleen is terribly unappreciated. It filters blood to control the production and quality of red blood cells and is a powerful infection fighter. Only recently (2009) did researchers find out that the spleen has a cache of immune cells called monocytes. These important cells are sent into the blood stream to fight infection and/or trauma.

Unfortunately, the location of the spleen leaves it vulnerable to rupture – in a car accident, for example. If this happens it must be immediately removed. But the good thing is, you can live without this organ, although you may be more susceptible to infection.

Back in medieval times, it was believed that the spleen (from the Latin, splen) was the source of “morose feelings and bad temper”. The word is still defined in some dictionaries today as “feelings of ill-will or anger, often suppressed".

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Anatomical Secret #27hhh:

“The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system.”

Link of the Day:

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

Quote of the Day:

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

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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/

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Marvelous Monday Spider Webs

Marvelous Monday Spider Webs

A common problem dancers have with balancing at the barre (or in the center) is the erroneous idea that a balance is static and completely still. I have written before about how a balance must be a living, breathing thing and not a stiff, rigid, brittle position.

An image that can help when balancing is to imagine your body and limbs supported and/or suspended by fine spider webs. These webs come from the ceiling but also from any and all directions where support might be needed.

This will help prevent the frozen stare type of balance that is never long for this world.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #21ll:

“ When balancing, imagine spider webs supporting you.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKt6DPPKmHs&t=21s

Quote of the Day:

“The greatest artist and web-designer ever is indeed a spider!”
― Munia Khan

                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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Sunday Nervous or Excited

Sunday Nervous or Excited

Life is enjoyable –or not - depending on how you look at things. If you’ve followed my blog at all, you know that. Today’s Link of the Day below describes this brilliantly.

Instead of thinking “I’m so nervous about the performance”, say to yourself, “I’m so excited about the performance”. That’s a different thing altogether, isn’t it? It changes your mindset. Simply put, nervous is negative and excited is positive. And I’ve blogged several times about how important positive thought are – especially for dancers!

So today, watch the below video, and begin replacing the word nervous with the word excited. You’ll feel much better.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Motivational Secret #134:

“Replace the word nervous with excited.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek/videos/10156377400506499/

Quote of the Day:

“Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

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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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Saturday Guest Blog on Eating Disorders

Today’s guest blog comes courtesy of https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/.

How Online Therapy Can Help You with Your Eating Disorder

No matter whether you are a dancer or teacher, farmer or businessman, stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your body. In some people it can cause anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder while in others it may present itself as depression or bipolar disorder. However, in many people, especially dancers, anxiety can lead to an eating disorder. There are several types of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Anorexia

Is characterized by someone who is not eating enough to sustain their health. They will be extremely underweight but see themselves as being fat. Even to the point of their bones and ribs sticking out. When they look in the mirror, they see something different than the rest of us.

Binge Eating

Secretly eating a bunch of food in one sitting, sometimes even up to 5,000 calories, and then feeling guilty afterward is a red flag of binge eating. They will try to hide how much they ate and say they are never going to do it again, but then they do it again. Those with binge eating disorder are usually overweight or obese and can end up with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disorders.

Bulimia

Bulimia is similar to binge eating but the person will make themselves vomit or take laxatives to purge the large amount of foods they eat. This is just as dangerous as anorexia as their body still does not get the nutrients from the food. Their teeth will lose enamel, they may have ulcers, and it can also cause damage to the heart.

According to the National Eating Disorder Foundation, approximately 10 million women and 1 million men have eating disorders. Although anyone can suffer from an eating disorder, it is most common in certain people such as:

·        Women

·        Family history of an eating disorder or other mental health condition

·        Those with low self esteem

·        Previous diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder

·        Having a major life change like divorce or loss of a loved one

·        Living with people (family or roommates) who are pressured to be thin (such as dancers)

·        Anyone who was called fat or overweight as a child

·        Victims of sexual, physical, verbal, or mental abuse

·        Those who feel their life is out of control

Although being a dancer means that you need to stay in top physical shape, it does not mean that you need to starve yourself to do it. In fact, if your body does not get enough nutrients, you will not be able to dance. You will get sick; your bones will become brittle, you will constantly feel exhausted, you may have heart or kidney problems, and you can end up with life-threatening anemia or other blood disorders. This can suck the motivation right out of you and you will not be able to do anything, let alone dancing. Without motivation, you may not even want to get out of bed. That is not going to get you anywhere.

If you or someone you love has symptoms of any type of eating disorder, contact a professional right away. Online therapy is very effective in treating eating disorders. In fact, studies show that online therapy is just as good, if not better, than traditional face to face therapy. And one of the best benefits of being able to talk to your therapist online is that you do not need an appointment so you can do it whenever you want. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, you do not have to leave the house to talk to your therapist. In fact, you can do it right from your own couch, easy chair, or even from bed.

                Help expand the knowledge base!

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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:

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Fun Friday Fingers

Fun Friday Fingers

I’ve talked about fingers before, and how they need to have energy (no drooping) and be correctly shaped. Here’s another way to think about it.

Imagine that the fingers are tiny hoses, and the water needs to be able to flow out through the fingertips and onward into space. The fingers maintain their correct shape, since the water will conform to it.

But if the fingers are hyper-extended or kinked, the flow of water will be interrupted. Scary.

Allow a lovely, uninterrupted flow of water from your fingertips.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #6ggg:

“Imagine the fingers as hoses, and let the water flow.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SiQOqH9510

Quote of the Day:

“Dip your fingers n the spring stream or lift your face to the summer rains. Listen for me in the winter wind I'll come back for you.”
― Evangeline Denmark, The Ice Child: A Winter Fairy Tale

                Help expand the knowledge base!

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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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Throwback Thursday and Peg Entwistle

Throwback Thursday and Peg Entwistle

Born on February 5, 1908 in Wales, (while her parents were traveling), Peg Entwistle is better known for her manner of death than for her Hollywood and Broadway careers.

Peg Entwistle began working on Broadway in 1926, and her breakout role was in The Man from Toronto. She soon became the embodiment of the flapper girl of the day with her short blonde hair and good looks. She also inspired Bette Davis who said: “I had to be an actress, exactly like Peg Entwistle”.

She became a contract player with RKO studios after finding success in the play The Mad Hopes, with co-stars Humphrey Bogar and Billie Burke. Her first major role was in David O. Selzneck’s Thirteen Women, but unfortunately her appearance ended up on the cutting room floor, and this was her first and last appearance in a major picture.

In 1932, at age 23, Peg Entwistle ended her life by jumping from the H on the Hollywood sign (it was Hollywoodland at the time). She is buried in Glendale, Ohio, next to her father.

But today in Hollywood, there are those who claim to have seen the ghost of a young, blonde woman dressed in clothes of the 1920s-30s wandering the Hollywood hills. They say her appearances are accompanied by the scent of her favorite perfume – gardenias.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

 Entertainment History Factoid #134:

“Peg Entwistle was an actress who jumped off the Hollywood sign.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROSPOJrV0eM

Quote of the Day:

“It was haunted; but real hauntings have nothing to do with ghosts finally; they have to do with the menace of memory.”
― Anne Rice

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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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Wacky Wednesday Confusion

Wacky Wednesday Confusion

Two ballet terms that are seldom heard today are dessus, and dessous. You’ll soon understand why they are not heard much anymore.

Dessus, which means top, is pronounced duh-SUI.  This term means that the working foot passes over the supporting foot. Dessous, (underneath or below) is pronounced duh-SOO, means that the working foot passes under the supporting foot. Well!

If that isn’t confusing enough, remember that dance studios are usually large, echo-prone spaces and in such an environment making out the difference in the two pronunciations is problematic at best.

That’s why most people use over and under.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #21kk:

“Dessus means the working foot goes over, and dessous means it goes under.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6q08fKUQBE

Quote of the Day:

“Over, under, around, or through. There is always a way.
- Soteria”
― Sherrilyn Kenyon, Acheron

                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:

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/