Thecatsmother

For those interested. Daniel Goleman, who writes a lot on emotional intelligence, also writes about organisational dynamics. If you follow him on 'linked in' he had some interesting posts on managerial and organisational dynamics. I am sure these can be accessed elsewhere but this is just where I have read them.

I assume vocational schools get more money if they accept international students as fees are higher which must come into part of the equation at some point?

That is always a really a tough one to deal with especially when young and if away from home. Are there other students perhaps older whom your DC could speak to and seek support? As people say, it is typically jealousy and designed to put the other down. The take home point is that if there is a need to put another down then it is likely they are seen as being higher in the pecking order so to speak. Some things that helped me in my career were trying to turn the upset into another emotion and think 'I'll show them". Almost using it as a way to enhance focus. There is also a great saying "what other people think of me is none of my business". At a student to student level I think this can be useful as input from staff is more important. Try and also find things that take you away from the ballet world even if it's going out for walks etc. Things removed from a world which in effect revolves around it's own axis are v grounding. Having non-dancing friends is useful too. It does usually pass in my experience as it tends to be triggered by something which evokes jealousy and this dissipates over time. In the meantime it can help to use classes to dance out the emotions that come up from the events that are occurring. It's amazing how emotionally therapeutic plies can be or any exercise where you really connect with the music and can use it almost as a non verbal form of therapy in itself. If it endures then there is always the option of talking to the school but some manage these dynamics better than others. If nothing else it is good training for the real world of a dance career but if you are seeing that it is beginning to impact emotional and physical health after trying other options there must be some route within the school to address this issue.

I would agree with the comments above. In my experience, adults who most doubt themselves are nearly always better than they think they are. In fact it is v common for adults to doubt themselves in terms of their ability. Part of it is the dancing as an adult confidence issue but I think in part the other side of it is when adults truly grasp just how difficult ballet is to learn. In a way I see this as a positive sign as it creates a great mindset for learning. It's important to understand you are performing as an adult with v little experience. Just compare that with the years of full time training that a professional would have gone through to perform even a small part in the corps de ballet. It puts it in perspective. If you can be kind to yourself and adjust your expectations at this stage in your journey I am sure this will allow room for you to also let in the magic of performing on stage. Concentrate on the music as this will also bring your performing to life. I very much doubt you would look way behind the others as you sound way too self aware and aware of your peers. That type of thing only happens when dancers are not attuned to the rest of the performers and able to take feedback/reflect upon their performance and apply corrections.

I whole new kind of supported pirouette????

Do you find triples on demi pointe tricky Spanner????

Gosh these all look very ambitious. I would not manage them I'm afraid.

What solo will you choose Michelle?

You could ask if he/she is a registered teacher with any dance organisation eg ISTD, RAD etc as you should be able to check this out with the organisation direct. I would also be wanting to know that they had insurance and some form of CRB check which I think has been renamed recently hence my slightly vague terminology. I agree that you should watch a class and not leave your child unsupervised until you know more. No teacher will feel offended if you ask these questions. This is not to say that being a member of an organisation makes them a good teacher just that it might be a way in to finding out a little more about their background if they are in anyway linked to one. I would proceed with caution until you feel convinced this is the right route as there are plenty of other routes to find teachers should you need to.

I saw the performance this evening. The company were technically on strong form and the chemistry between Tamara and Carlos second to none. It seemed they could communicate a multiplicity of emotions in just one look or movement. The soloists were technically strong although I felt some of the acting of Romeo's friends was perhaps not in keeping with the tradition of the rest of the choreography. Having said that their dancing was impeccable and they were extremely well matched. All credit goes to Juliet's friends who were also an asset to the production. My main criticisms would be the lighting in Act 1 which when viewed from above seemed v red making it difficult to see the faces of the dancers. A number of members of the audience also commented on the speed of at which the music was conducted. Some of the acting appeared to need toning down amongst extras in Act 1 and footwear of the masked dancers looked a little as if they were wearing Ugg boots which was far from flattering in terms of line. Acts 2 and 3 were the highlights of the performance and the changes in lighting added to this as facial features became more visible. I shall keep this as a technical comment as the dancers were young but I would have liked to have seen young students who could have galoped in a circle with stretched feet. I am sure they have worked hard and do not wish to undermine the confidence of the young but I am sure if this can be corrected it will increase the credibility of their performance in the days to come.

I bet you will get some good classes in the US. I do hope that ballet can be an antidote to the stresses of thesis writing. Do set yourself an end date for thesis submission if you do not have one otherwise you are likely to inflict more pain than is truly needed. You will then require a detox period from writing and I believe ballet class can help with this process ????

I do wonder what happens as the shoe alters through usage and gets softer given the orthotic would not adapt to any change in the toe or the back of the shoe. I am assuming they are fitted using brand new shoes. Just thoughts really as I have not seen them.

Are these what you refer to. I must add I know nothing about them and have only read one dance physios opinion who has obviously not seen them. It does give things to think about but it is unfair for me to comment having not seen and these may not be what you are referring to? http://www.theballetblog.com/article/pointe-shoe-padding/

I have found one exercise that has most definitely improved upper back mobility using a foam roller. It may be I was tight in that area but I did it a lot when non weight bearing through injury and my back bends are noticeably more mobile. It's good for the core as well. Will try and find a link for it rather than using words to describe.

It's not so much in that sense but when you feel well and are not stressed with exams it can be useful just to push a tiny bit extra whilst in a class you feel well enough to do. I do not mean to this extreme but often professionals will perform a pas de deux etc for a second time whilst tired to build up stamina for the show. On a small scale this might mean occasionally doing the allegro twice if it is done in 2 groups in class, having a go at an extra arabesque or adage combination for a second time. Hope this make sense but also listen to your body as rest is also important in order to recover and build strength so pacing will be key.

Swanprincess, you could just go with repeating a few class exercises whilst tired and building up slowly rather than setting yourself back with too much exercise. If you take baby steps, although this might be frustrating, it will pay off in the long run. If you could get to a reformer pilates class that might help without burning too many calories. Go gently as you are trying to heal as well as develop as a dancer. The rest will come in time but health comes first. ????I added the tortoise to remind you that fast does not always equal winning!

Can I add inconsiderate neighbours to room 101 before I lose the plot with mine. It is possible when living in flats to shut communal doors rather than slam them and to keep your dog inside your property so it does not run out barking at anyone who opens the front door. It is also polite to fix water pipes which start vibrating at 7am in the morning because there has been something wrong with them for over 7 months. Sorry to rant but some people are so inconsiderate. I don't get it...

Someone once said to me "if you are going to beat yourself up, make sure you only do it using a feather". Guess it would just tickle then...

It's hard when you get to that point Fiz but if you can keep turning up to classes and not being too hard on yourself I am sure you will settle into enjoying it or if not-try a different class? When you build up a bit of momentum you start to see progress which in turn builds more motivation????

I used to have to harden shoes several times a week to keep several pairs on the go at the same time. Give this a go as it dries overnight and when you have a few layers in shoes it tends to make them a bit more robust. Most company dancers would not survive on shoe allowance without hardener.

Swanprincess, I think pacing of this might be important given the issues you have raised in the past on the forum. Recovery is key. Strength will come with recovery. All the best ????

Can you use pointe shoe hardener poured down the backs of the shoes if this is what goes and then dried on a radiator or shellac. I doubt given what you said that you will get shoes that last that long and perhaps you need to look at hardening options.

I would agree with the comments made. The key is in a good preparation in between each turn as this also helps centre you in terms of helping to prevent your turns going 'off piste'. The speed of the transfer from the preparation to first step onto pointe is also key as if you crawl onto pointe you are likely resort to a bent knee. A couple of things of things to add- practice the step facing the barre without a turn so you move down the barre just doing the preparation and the pose onto pointe and work up to repeating so you can do a series travelling down the barre without the turn. As you get stronger and more confident try increasing the speed and doing them without holding onto the barre. You need this strength and placement to be able to turn with confidence at speed in the centre. Another thing I have found helps students when turning from the corner is to think more about the arms and upper body so you get a continuous movement. You will typically notice as turns start to run out of steam that the body weight goes back. If you can consciously think about reaching forward to the corner with the leading arm before each turn this should help. When I first start to teach students to turn from the corner I just get them to do arms and turn on flat foot but actually ask them to point to the corner with the leading arm before bringing the arms into first. It helps to say in your head 'reach turn, reach turn' to help you keep this in mind. Once you have this feeling you can think of the foot which you pose onto being connected to the arm which you reach to the corner with and this should help encourage the body weight to come forward over the leg. Make sure you also engage your core whilst turning. As turns speed up you want to use a powerful preparation but not one which gets stuck so you try to not stop in between each turn but pass through a strong position which gives you the energy to go into the next turn. I think you will get what I mean as most people have seen how a pose turn can be done in a way that there is a collapse in between each turn rather than a live engagement for the pose. Bit rambling but hope some of this helps.

For anyone who listens to Podcasts there is an interview with Miko on the Balancing Pointe Podcast. I think it will be interesting to see how her career maps out given her training route and how she will find day to day life in a dance company.

So sorry to hear that. You are most definitely wise to rest this and allow it to heal frustrating as this can be. Have you thought about shoes that you wear on day to day basis as these might be important to ensure you are getting good support. If you are still needing taping there is a special tape which sticks to itself rather than your foot which can make it less painful than prolonged strapping and un strapping. Wishing you a speedy recovery.