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 . . .
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…