The Wonders of Epson Salt

After a long day or a long week the best thing ever is to relax in a nice hot bubble bath! When I make my bubble baths I put lavender everything. Lavender Scented bubble bath and lavender epson salt. It is very relaxing especially if you have candles and can just soak for a while. The thing about epson salt is it not only makes your bath smell nice it is actually used for sore muscles and gives you a better nights sleep. After dancing  your little heart out all the time it is very important to give your self a relaxing break pretty often or your body will always be sore and tired. That will not help your dancing and ultimately make you feel like crap. So remember on your days off t treat your self! You deserve it! Here is what I like to do on my one day off.

I like to go out to brunch with my friends. We usually go to the Eating Establishment or No Worries. Both of these places are in Park City and are really good. Breakfast food is defiantly a happy food! I also like to get my nails done or occasionally get a massage. I just like spa like things. I don't really ever want to do something that exciting because I am so tired and after all it is the day of rest. I also do some homework, online shop  and watch Netflix. Netflix is possibly the love of my life (next to online shopping of corse.) I have seen Every romantic comedy n there not to mention binge watching Friends and Gossip Girl. My proudest achievements are watching 10 seasons of friends in 20 days and watching 125 episode of Gossip Girl in 21 days. :) But back to my day off it usually has a lot of lounging around and eating sometimes I never even get out of my PJs. (Which is just what the doctors ordered). And then to end the day I top it off with a nice bubble bath. I love to dance with all my heart but man do I love my days off too. What ever you do on your day off make sure your enjoying it you only get so many! Next time taking a bubble bath with magic epson salts I promise you will love it!

Photo by Me

Four Tips For Turns

I realized that I have not done a tip or trick on my blog in a really long time so I thought what better than turns to bring it back. I am still trying t get better at turns just like everyone but I have learned some great tips about them through out my dance life and recently that I thought I would share with you. Turns are one of the most important components of Ballet. Usually you have a better side, mine is the right, but it is very important to work nth sides because when you are working in the core you do not get to choose what side you turn on individually because you all have to be the same. Also no company audition is only going to have you work things to the right, so you always have to be prepared for that dreaded sentence o when you finish a combination and the teacher yells out "alright now n the left" or "alright now reverse it". These can be really scary if you do not practice one side enough so make sure to even your training out even though it is definitely more rewarding to do your good side. Ok so now on to the tips, hope you enjoy and this held you whip out the best turns ever.


Tip 1~ Balance
Balance is the single most important part of a turn. I your balance is off you can not even begin to spin. Many people do not balance in their turns and those are the people you see spiraling out of control. It may seem simple to balance but it actually take a constant effort you can not go up and hope to balance you have to focus in every part of your body and keep still. A way that you can work on balance is to do the turn combo with out turns. This may seem crazy but you will see exactly where your alignment and position must be to balance from every position. If you really want to work on balance in general get a balance board. These are round and squishy at the bottom and you have to balance on top. These are not only great for balance but also for control.


Tip 2~ Spot
Spotting your head is also very important in turning. This helps to not get dizzy and to keep you in one spot. For your spot look at your self in the mirror or something at eye level. You do not want to look above or below this because then it throws off your balance. Your head is the heaviest part of you and if you let it out it becomes impossible. another thing about spotting is maker sure to keep it at and even tempo or rate. This will help with you musicality and will ultimately make or brake the turn. It give you force and speed when you need it to keep the turn going.


Tip 3~ Position
Keeping the position the same throughout the whole turn will not only look better but it will help you get around. You should have 3 separate positions throughout the entire turn.
1- fifth before you take off

Photo by Basic Ballet

2- The turning position

Photo by Dicas de Ballet 

3- Landing position. 4th or 5th

Photo by Bag of Ballet

When you take off don't hesitate the front foot or turn it in keep it in fifth it will make sure your leg travels straight up While in the turning position do not cross your foot over your standing leg.



Tip 4~ Finish
Remember to always finish! Time and time again I have heard teachers tell about if you land on the floor you get back up and finish. NO matter how bad your turn is finish it like it was the best one ever. The people watching do not know it wasn't and it always a good sign when someone finishes everything they do. Even if you didn't stick the landing fake it until you make it. It is good for your body to get into the habit of finishing each step no matter what. So whatever your turn looked like from your ending pose it should look like it was the best it could ever be. Walah!


I hope these four tips help in your future turning endeavors! Maybe now you will look like Beckanne Sisk.  Let me know what side is your favorite down below.

The Perfect Bun

If you are a dancer then you know how important it is to master the perfect ballet bun. At the Academy everyone pretty much has it down by level 6. I have heard teachers and professionals say that they can tell how well a dancer is going to dance by how well their bun was done. This statement is harsh but it is also pretty true as well. if you think about it you are going to put the same amount of effort into class they you put into your bun. If someones hair is sloppy they also can not go full out because of the fear that it will fall out. Anyone who has ever been in a ballet class knows that having your hair fall out in class is the worst and most embracing thing possible. At ballet west if your hair keeps falling out the ask you to go redo it in the bathroom or sit out and watch. So, now that you know how important proper hair is here are the steps and some tips on how to make a perfect ballet bun.

Photo by Me 

What you need:
Hair brush / comb
Round hair brush
1 Hair tie
5 or 6 large bun pins (you can purchase these at almost every dance store or click here.)
Small bobby pins
Clips
Spray bottle (filled with water)
Hair nets
Hair spray
* Flower or Bow optional*

Step #1
Making a pony tale. When you are making a pony tale you should aim for it to be right where your head curves. It helps to get rid of bumps if you wet your hair before you start. You should hold your hair in the position you would put the hair tie in and brush/comb through it several time until it is very smooth and has no bumps. Use the round circle brushes for this. Then put the hair tie in. If there are and bumps or sagging pieces you can secure them with a clip or bobby pins.

Step #2
Twist the hair tightly together, then wrap that twist in a circle following the same direction you were twisting. Use the large bobby pins to secure it. You want your bun to be as flat as possible.


Step #3
Cover it with a hair tie and the secure with small bobby pins.

Step #4
Us hair spray to secure any whispy hair and for a long lasting hold.


Depending on what the policies for you school are after you finished you can add a flower or bow for styling. Ballet west does not allow these like most professional schools, so keep in mind for auditions and programs at schools like these you look more professional without any extras. If you follow these steps you can make a perfect ballet bun. Just remember to wash your hair afterwards  so it stays healthy!