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11 Reasons for Adult Ballet Dancers to Love the Gyrotonic® Method

11 Reasons for Adult Ballet Dancers to Love the Gyrotonic® Method

Annie Ashmann at her studio, Expand, Movement & Wellness in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where Nikki Ozment interviewed Annie for the Ballet for Adults Podcast Season 1, Episode 5 ~ Gyrotonic® Method & Adult Ballet. Photographs by Chelini & Oeffling. When you first hear about a trending movement method, most dancers are already familiar with it. If you haven’t heard of The Gyrotonic® & Gyrokinesis® Method . . .

Body Talk: 4 Therapeutic Strategies for Dancers

Body Talk: 4 Therapeutic Strategies for Dancers

Ballet is a total body workout. Regardless of age or ability, every student experiences a degree of fatigue or discomfort as a result of their training. If you’ve developed a chronic problem spot, or maybe class just has you wiped, consider four alternative therapies to help you feel better.

5 Muscular Hot Spots That Affect Dancers

5 Muscular Hot Spots That Affect Dancers

Different sports and athletic activities engage different muscles in the body. Since ballet requires immense lower body strength, ballet dancers tend to develop problem spots and injuries from the waist down. Consider five common hot spots that affect dancers and how to cope with them.

10 Healthy Pre-Class Meals For Dancers

10 Healthy Pre-Class Meals For Dancers

You should never go to class on an empty stomach; you should also never go to class with a gut full of the wrong stuff. Selecting healthy meals and snacks from a wide range of whole foods will give you the energy and nourishment you need to get through class.

3 Cross-Training Tips For Ballet Dancers

3 Cross-Training Tips For Ballet Dancers

Ballet is a wonderfully challenging form of exercise. But what else do you do to stay fit when you’re not in the studio? Jog at sunrise? Or do you prefer downward dog? Professionals and novices alike do well to maintain a fitness regimen outside the world of…

25 Ballet Books, Films, and Media To Binge On This Summer

25 Ballet Books, Films, and Media To Binge On This Summer

During my teen years, my second home (besides the studio), was the library. I immersed myself in ballet culture: memoirs, how-to’s, encyclopedic histories of dance companies, even Angelina Ballerina, for crying out loud. While this list is by no means a definitive…

Ballet Style: 3 Trends For The Studio

Ballet Style: 3 Trends For The Studio

Ballet students are typically expected to follow a strict dress code. Adult ballet students have a little more leeway. If the traditional leotard isn’t really your thing, but you don’t want to ditch the idea all together, consider 3 popular looks for class that will…

3 Stretches Adult Ballet Students Should Do Every Morning

3 Stretches Adult Ballet Students Should Do Every Morning

Mornings can be rough, but there are simple stretches you can do to start the day off right. If your first inclination is to reach for the coffee, try these 3 exercises instead to get your mojo going. 1. Cambré Cambré is the perfect morning stretch. Start by placing…

4 Common Health Conditions That Affect Dancers

4 Common Health Conditions That Affect Dancers

Ballet requires intense effort, and as a result, no dancer goes unscathed. While some students suffer from a preexisting condition, ballet can definitely cause aches and pains for others. Here are 4 common health conditions that affect dancers, and how to address them…

Parents and Kids: 3 Ways To Do Ballet Together

Parents and Kids: 3 Ways To Do Ballet Together

Clearly, ballet is not just for kids. But did you know that there are options for parents and children to enjoy ballet together? Discover 3 ways to incorporate ballet into your family routine. 1. Take “Mommy and Me” classes. If your little one is in the age range of…

3 Signs of Burnout

3 Signs of Burnout

As an adult ballet student, you typically do not have the schedule of a professional. For those aspiring to carve their niche in the professional world, the following signs of burnout may ring true. Regardless of your training program, life’s circumstances, its…

5 Tips For a Better Warmup

5 Tips For a Better Warmup

A good warmup is like a good breakfast: simple, healthy, and prepares you for the rest of your day (or class). Here’s 5 tips for a better warmup. 1. Arrive early. Stuff happens, and sometimes we’re late to class. But if this becomes routine for you, you’re missing out…

3 Ways To Boost Your Confidence Now

3 Ways To Boost Your Confidence Now

Everyone feels insecure about themselves at some point, and dancers are no exception. Maybe you’re struggling with body image, your technique is not up to par, or you’re in an artistic rut. Have no fear – there are 3 things you can do to instantly boost your spirits….

3 Fitness Hacks For Adult Ballet Students

3 Fitness Hacks For Adult Ballet Students

So you’re not a kid anymore. You don’t bounce back from a tumble down the stairs, you don’t have lightning fast metabolism, and you wake up each morning with newfound aches and pains. You love going to ballet class, but you’re feeling your age and you don’t…

10 Items Adult Students Should Have In Their Dance Bag

10 Items Adult Students Should Have In Their Dance Bag

There are essential items every adult ballet student should have in their dance bag. Your dance bag doesn’t have to be large or expensive, but it should store everything securely. Make sure you have these 10 items before heading to class. 1. Ballet Shoes There are a…

Get The Look: Ballerina Style In 5 Steps

You know a true ballerina when you see one: the proper bun, simple leo, and distinctive duck walk. Okay, so maybe you won’t master the duck walk, but here’s 5 ways you can score the authentic ballerina style for class. 1. Warmup No professional ballerina comes to…

4 Tips To Stay Healthy For Ballet Class

4 Tips To Stay Healthy For Ballet Class

Ballet is hard work. Follow these 4 tips to make sure you’re performing at your optimum level. 1. Hydration Water, water, water. Stay hydrated during all those kicks, turns, and jumps. Some metal and plastics have an aftertaste, so invest in a high-quality glass…

3 Ballet Exercises To Help You Shape Up For Summer

3 Ballet Exercises To Help You Shape Up For Summer

Summer is here, and ballet can help you stay in shape. If you’re desperate to flaunt your new bikini but you want to trim up, these three exercises will help you reach your goals. 1. Pliés Got saddlebags? Pliés are a foolproof way to stronger, leaner…

Plus-Size? 3 Reasons You Should Take Ballet

Plus-Size? 3 Reasons You Should Take Ballet

“Ballerina” is almost synonymous with “thin”. Adult ballet students, however, come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re plus-size, you should never be shamed or self-conscious about joining adult ballet. Here’s 3 reasons why: 1. You challenge the norm. Since there is so…

5 Life Hacks For Adult Ballet Dancers

5 Life Hacks For Adult Ballet Dancers

Adult ballet students have different lifestyles and schedules. Between work, family, and other activities that may consume their time, keeping track of one more thing can be overwhelming. Whether your goal is . . .

5 Common Ballet Ailments And How To Manage Them

5 Common Ballet Ailments And How To Manage Them

It may look beautiful, but ballet technique definitely has the potential to produce aches and pains, or at least aggravate existing ones. Whichever area of your body is giving you trouble, consider . . .

7 Ways Adult Ballet Students Can Find Inspiration

7 Ways Adult Ballet Students Can Find Inspiration

If you feel like you’re in a rut, or could use a creative boost, there are ways to get inspired. Ballet has many artistic elements to appreciate. Here’s a list of things you can do for a jolt of inspiration. . .

3 Reasons You Should Wear A Bun For Ballet Class

3 Reasons You Should Wear A Bun For Ballet Class

Love it or hate it, a ballet bun is classic and practical. You can wear it high on the crown of your head, or low, by the nape of your neck. Whichever you choose, here are three reasons why you should wear a bun in class. . .

The Best Time Of Day To Take Ballet Class

The Best Time Of Day To Take Ballet Class

What’s great about adult ballet classes is the flexible schedule. In efforts to appeal to a broader demographic, schools and studios are offering classes from morning ’til dinnertime. So, what’s the best . . .

8 Dancewear Tips And Tricks

8 Dancewear Tips And Tricks

Adult students aren’t expected to be perfect, nonetheless, it’s important to look clean and presentable for class. Suiting up in the appropriate dancewear can be expensive and time-consuming, but it doesn’t . . .

Ballet Exercises You Can Do At Home

Ballet Exercises You Can Do At Home

Whether you’re enrolled in a class, or just want to vary your fitness routine, there are simple ballet exercises you can practice at home. If you don’t own a ballet barre, use the back of a chair, or a counter top for support. Also, you’ll want . . .

10 Delicious And Healthy Snacks To Fuel You For Class

10 Delicious And Healthy Snacks To Fuel You For Class

Proper nutrition is vital if you want to have a great class. You should never take class on an empty stomach, but you also want to eat good, wholesome snacks to give your body the fuel it needs. Here are some . . .

How To Do A Warm-Up For Ballet Class

How To Do A Warm-Up For Ballet Class

Doing a warm-up before class is essential to your health and performance. The purpose of a warm-up is to prepare your body for the physical demands of class. It increases body temperature, improves flexibility, and …

How To Build Confidence As An Adult Ballet Dancer

How To Build Confidence As An Adult Ballet Dancer

Ballet can be intimidating. Many of the movements are difficult and unnatural, but adult dancers don’t have to master ballet technique to build confidence. Everyone has the tendency to be hard on themselves in ballet class, but there’s . . .

Ballet and Body Image

Ballet and Body Image

Some say the ballet world has perpetuated an unrealistic ideal. As a result, many adults are reluctant to try ballet because they are self-conscious about their body. ‘I don’t want to be seen in spandex!’, along with countless other . . .

What To Wear In Ballet Class

What To Wear In Ballet Class

Unlike the ballerinas you see on stage, you don’t have to wear a tutu! Adult ballet class is recreational, which means the dress code is more relaxed. However, even though the atmosphere is not as strict, it’s important to still demonstrate a measure of etiquette and…

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Hi I’m Nikki, The Last Dancer. My whole life has been influenced by dancing and this shop focuses on items that speak to a dancer’s entire lifestyle. If you found yourself here, my hope is that this website offers you inspiration too. The shop contains my own products and the blog is original content.

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