Meet Me @ the Barre!

[Deebs]

That would be great, I'd love it. Thanks!

There is one non-traditional foot warm-up we do that I will post because it might be good for your feet. I wish I had a video camera! I lost mine to marital breakup about 2 years ago, I miss it so much. The song is Danity Kane One Shot. But I have to stand up and do it out before I even attempt to type it.

[Deebs]

Danity Kane, One Shot
I truly apologize for the lameness of the video, but I wanted you to hear the song. I tried to find just the song on Jango and it was listed, but not playable, hmm.

The combination should be fun, as opposed to a slow, methodical warm-up. Lots of transfer of weight and changing legs -- fun for a change in warm-up. I find that the weight transfers can cause sloppy hips (lots of movement) and poor turn-out in less advanced students, but they have fun and they do warm-up, so I pick my battles.

Left hand on the barre, fifth position, right foot front. Right arm in second (or side), don't drop your elbow.

Begin with straight tendus, pointed toes, but later it will be slightly off the floor degages with flexed foot.

Arms can be added, but doing so makes it counter-productive to warming up, IMO. If all the concentration is on the combination, there is not enough focus on the real purpose here, which is preparing for class and the tricky combinations later.

Be quick and sharp, but "feel" the floor and keep it clean. Don't pop. Or, pretend you can hear a small Russian man yelling "Sharp and juicy!" while clapping your counts. He's really cute.

Begin from fifth with your right leg - three tendus front
Next, one tendu back with your standing (left) leg, close:
So 1-2-3 is front with working (right) leg, 4 is back with standing (left) leg.

Next, tendu side 3 times with your right leg, closing to fifth each time -- the first time closing back, so your left foot ends front.
Then one tendu front with your left leg, which is now front and is your inside leg to the barre:
1-2-3 are side with working leg, 4 is front with inside (left) leg.

Now tendu back three times with your right leg.
Then one tendu front with your left leg, which is still front and still your inside leg to the barre:
1-2-3 are back, 4 is front with inside (left) leg.

Now tendu side 3 times with your right leg, this time closing fifth in front with the first of the three.
Then one tendu back with your left leg, which is your inside leg to the barre:
1-2-3 are side with working leg, 4 is back with inside leg.

Repeat about 4 times, then change from tendu to a slightly off the floor degage with a very flexed foot. Toes straight up to the ceiling, or as flexed as you can get. 4-8 sets with degage.

Turn around and put your right hand on the barre -- and ya know -- reverse all.

[Disneyphile]

VPDM!!

Thanks! That gives me something to do at home to keep up during the week.

[wendybeth]

Heh heh... Tori's teacher stretched the merde out of the class tonight, and then told us parents to be sure that the kids were doing the exercises at home so they wouldn't lock up on us.

[ToriBear]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Heh heh... Tori's teacher stretched the merde out of the class tonight, and then told us parents to be sure that the kids were doing the exercises at home so they wouldn't lock up on us.

And that's why I'll be suffering during this trip. Just giving ya guys heads up!

But yeah. My teacher said we'll be very sore on Thursday, and if we're not sore then, well, then she didn't stretch us good enough. But if we are, then our parents have to make us suffer even more with the stretches.

The things we do for our love of dancing.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by ToriBear

And that's why I'll be suffering during this trip. Just giving ya guys heads up!

But yeah. My teacher said we'll be very sore on Thursday, and if we're not sore then, well, then she didn't stretch us good enough. But if we are, then our parents have to make us suffer even more with the stretches.

The things we do for our love of dancing.

Well, the Mist Trail is great for stretching out those legs.

[ToriBear]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Well, the Mist Trail is great for stretching out those legs.

..............Evil!

[Deebs]

Originally Posted by ToriBear

The things we do for our love of dancing.

Amen, sister.

Danity Kane? Not a favorite.

Tori, very hot shower (bath is even better) followed by even more stretching. It might hurt a little, but it will help in the end, and it really will help your extension and make you even more flexible.

[ToriBear]

Originally Posted by Deebs

Tori, very hot shower (bath is even better) followed by even more stretching. It might hurt a little, but it will help in the end, and it really will help your extension and make you even more flexible.

I'm planing to, trust me. My muscles are sorta sore today. Tomorrow is going to be fun.

God, I hope so! It'll be cool for once that I can be flexible.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

If you look at me in the red-and-white, you'll rethink that. It is supremely dorky.