Toe padding for pointe shoes is a controversial subject. Every dancer has an opinion. Lauren has tried nearly everything and wants to help you form your own.
About Lauren Warnecke
Lauren Warnecke trained at Barat College and holds a BA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago and an MS in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Lauren has fifteen years of teaching experience, and is an adjunct instructor for the Department of Kinesiology at UIC. She is a freelance writer and choreographer, member of the Cecchetti Council of America, and the Performing Arts Coordinator at the Menomonee Club. For more of Lauren’s work, visit Art Intercepts.
Confessions of a 30-year old Grade III Grad: Why Cecchetti?
December 3, 2011 By 1 Comment
Fresh from her Grade III Cecchetti teacher’s exam, Lauren Warnecke reflects on why, despite that she’s not actively teaching ballet, she continued to study the Method. Purely editorial, her musings are a peek inside the exam process and tip of the hat to the man behind the Method.
Is Cross-training A Good Idea?
September 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
Lauren’s answer: a resounding ‘Yes!’ But don’t dancers have to be careful about getting bulky? See what Lauren has to say. Plus, learn the difference between anaerobic and aerobic activity and how intensity plays a role. And, discover how to decide if a cross-training activity is right for you.
Fatigue and Injury: Making room for rest
August 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
Muscle fatigue is good but not when dancers push themselves (or are pushed by directors) to injury. We’re ignoring a crucial part of the formula for increasing endurance and enhancing performance. What is that element and why is it important for dancers to learn when enough is enough?
Dance/USA comes to Chicago!
July 21, 2011 By 4 Comments
Should I Spring or Press to Relevé in a Ballet Pirouette?
June 30, 2011 By 4 Comments
If you press, the upper body and center of gravity (CoG) needs to move over the leg, and if you spring, the supporting leg meets your CoG in the middle. Which do you prefer? In this post Lauren Warnecke explores the benefits and mechanics of both to provoke thought and conversation.
The Achilles Tendon: Dancer Injury and Prevention
May 26, 2011 By 3 Comments
Achilles was infallible except for the small injury to his heel that killed him. Dancers, too, are prone to injury and stress of the Achilles tendon if they don’t do a few important things. Achilles tendonitis is the big one but it doesn’t have to be forever. Dancers must take great care and follow the proper steps to prevent flare-ups and further injury.
“Look, Mom, no hands!” — Finding the Balance of Balance
May 12, 2011 By 7 Comments
Why is it easier to balance standing up straight than bending at the waist? Lauren of Art Intercepts delves deeper into the science of balancing to answer that question and more.
Knees, Please: Why A Dancer Should Walk Like A Man
April 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Lauren of Art Intercepts follows our chat with Dr. Craig Westin with some pointers for dancers who are concerned about knee pain and/or injury prevention in this important, yet often fragile joint.
The Stem of Aplomb – Part Three: The Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Coccyx
March 17, 2011 By 2 Comments
Having addressed the Cervical and Thoracic spines in previous installments, we now turn our attention to the lower three sections of the vertebral column. Learn about the lumbar spine, intervertebral discs, the sacrum, coccyx, and get a quick and dirty list of the 3 big take-away points about ‘the stemb of aplomb,’ the spine.
The Stem of Aplomb – Part Two: The Thoracic Spine
March 9, 2011 By 3 Comments
Of all the spinal sections, the thoracic vertebrae are least capable of movement, however it is exceedingly important to the movements of dance. Lauren of Art Intercepts teaches us about the thoracic spine, its function, and gives an exercise to stretch and strengthen this area of the back for movement and greater aplomb.
The Stem of Aplomb — Part One: The Cervical Spine
February 28, 2011 By 4 Comments
The way that a dancer carries his/her head, the length of the neck, and the position of the chin, are pivotal to the overall appearance of grace and poise so necessary in dance. Understand the cervical spine and how it functions to project self-confidence, and improve common mistakes in cambré and carriage of the head.
