Developpé Dilemma: Deb Vogel Addresses a Reader Question

When I received Amy’s question about pain in developpé below, my instinct was to help yet, I was not confident that I was fully equipped to assess what might be happening with Amy. So, I did what I would have for any student who had a problem I could not work out – I took her question to someone more knowledgeable than I – Deb Vogel, a neuromuscular educator and movement analyst who has been working with dancers for years.

Answers to Your Questions About College Dance

Prospective college students have a lot of questions! Of course you do! You are making important decisions regarding your future. Not to mention the transition from high school to a university is one of the largest leaps you’ll ever take. Here’s a look at two websites that I think any aspiring dance major should pay a visit.

En Dehors, Out the Door

En dehors and en dedans! Frequently misspelled and endlessly confused, let’s go over these dance directions! A bird’s eye view helps to illustrate the sometimes puzzling terminology.

Oversplits – Overdoing It?

It is extremely important that someone working toward oversplits spend equal (if not more) time on strengthening and stabilizing the hips and core of the body. If you ignore signals that you are pushing too hard or too far, you may be hindering or halting any current progress you’ve made in your flexibility. You may even be sacrificing joint stability and overall joint health, perhaps ending your career early or causing problems later in life.

Stretching Safely for Splits

When it comes to stretching and splits some dancers place intense emphasis on achieving the ideal static position, forgetting that this type of flexibility is only part of the picture. They compromise the health of their instrument – the body – as they push to extremes to get results, and get results fast.

Introducing the Iliopsoas

The iliopsoas is the only muscle (well, technically group of muscles) that attaches to the spine, pelvis, and femur (or, thigh). The three muscles which make up the iliopsoas are deep, running very near the spine and beneath other major muscle groups. Therefore, awareness of the iliopsoas must come through visualization.

As Young As You Feel

If you are an older adult and find these videos inspiring, let me assure you that it’s never too late to get moving… literally. However there are some things you may want to take into consideration before diving into dance.

Guest Post: The Professional Dancer’s Survival Kit

Do you have an interest in taking your dancing to the professional level? Here are some inside tips on what you need to survive in your career as a professional dancer.

Ballet — Its Origins and History

Ballet Comique de la Reine (1581) was choreographed by Balthasar de Beaujoyeux and is credited as the first ballet because it had a central story around which sets, costumes, and music were built. Ballets de cour peaked during the reign of Louis XIV, who was passionate about dance and its artistry.

Dance Little Sister — Working With a Younger Sibling

It is challenging to work with a younger sibling when creating or rehearsing for a performance. Here are the keys to avoiding frustration.

Back to School 2009 — Student Edition

As you enter a new dance season, here are some past Dance Advantage posts that will prepare you for the year ahead.

How and Why to Strengthen the Inner Thigh

Focused work can encourage awareness and therefore improvement of technique and strength. I am including some exercises that may help you develop such an awareness of the various muscles in your inner thigh.

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