Power arch

Feet are one of several fetishes in the dance world. They are the anatomical tools that delineate a ballerina.

Good feet are judged on the size of the dancer’s arch, their high instep, strength and endurance.

Over the years, there have been many dancers praised for their beautiful feet. Their feet have become so beautiful, in fact, that one could spend days perusing images and video clips of their feet at work.

Here are some of the beautiful ballerinas' power arches:-

1. Paloma Herrera – American Ballet Theatre



2. Sylvie Guillem – Sadler’s Wells Theatre







3. Alessandro Ferri – American Ballet Theatre, retired


Alessandra Ferri, Sting music video


4. Svetlana Zahkrakova – Bolshoi Ballet



5. Lucia Lacarra – Bavarian State Ballet






6. Polina Semionova – Berlin State Opera




7. Tamara Rojo – Royal Ballet





8. Lucinda Dunn – The Australian Ballet


9. Maria Kotchekova – San Francisco Ballet

Achieving Perfection

Such a beautiful video!

Today's video post i wanted to dedicate to all talented, hardworking, and determined ballerinas around the world. We sweat, we cry, we suffered pain and exhaustion for our passion. Do not give up doing something that your heart have so much fire for!

Love, LilBallerina

The Glitter & Glamor of Ballet- Tutu Splendor

A tutu is a skirt worn as a costume in a ballet performance, often with attached bodice. It might be single layer, hanging down, or multiple layers starched and jutting out.

There are several types of ballet tutu:

Romantic Tutu: three quarter length bell shaped skirt made of tulle. The hemline falls between the knee and the ankle. The romantic tutu is free flowing to emphasise lightness, to suit the ethereal quality of the romantic ballets such as Giselle or Les Sylphides. It is said to have been invented, or at least popularized, by Marie Taglioni.



Classical Tutu(bell): A very short, stiff skirt made with layers of netting with a slight bell shape and fitted bodice. It extends outwards from the hips and does not use a wired hoop. It is usually longer than a classical (pancake) tutu. These can be seen in the famous ballet paintings by Degas.


Classical Tutu (pancake): A very short, stiff skirt made with layers of netting that extends straight outwards (from the hips) in a flat pancake shape, and has a fitted bodice. The pancake style has more layers of net and usually uses a wire hoop and much hand tacking to keep the layers flat and stiff.


Balanchine/Karinska Tutu: also known as the "powder puff" is a very short skirt with no hoops, and fewer layers of netting than the pancake or classical styles. The skirt is loosely tacked to give a softer, fuller appearance. This style was designed originally for the ballet version of Georges Bizet's Symphony in C.


Platter Tutu: A tutu with a flat top that sticks straight out from the ballerina's waistline.


Here are a few video clips that i found, about Tutu:-

1) A documentary short on the recreation of tutus for George Balanchine's "Theme and Variations". New York City Ballet is fortunate to have their own costume shop, where they are able to refurbish, maintain, and even design and create new costumes from scratch.



2) Ballet Tutu- There's no other garment like it in history. Judith Mackrell meets the Royal Ballet's dancers to discuss the perils of wearing the ballerina's fabulously frothy skirt.



3) Here is rare glimpse inside The Australian Ballet's huge wardrobe storage facility in Kensington, Victoria, where 'Manon' costumes are being packed for performances of the ballet.




4) Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Seasons-Costume Preview



Read more about Ballet Companies Wardrobe:-
http://www.brb.org.uk/Wardrobe-Swan-Lake.html

Live your best life! Love life to the max!!

Personality:
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
3. Don't over do; keep your limits
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Dream more while you are awake
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
13. Smile and laugh more
14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:
15. Call your family often
16. Each day give something good to others
17. Forgive everyone for everything
18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
19. Try to make at least three people smile each day
20. What other people think of you is none of your business
21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
23. GOD heals everything
24. Do the right things
25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
27. The best is yet to come
28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

A day in the life of a ballerina.

Follow the day in the life of a Yuhui Choe, first soloist, who takes us through her day - which includes, class, rehearsals and physio before going on stage that evening.



The following video shows the hard work that (little) girls have to do too realize there dream: becoming a prima ballerina.



http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Naomi-Campbell-Is-Ballerina-for-a-Day-Video/topic/oprahshow

I also found a video about Super model Naomi Campbell as Ballerina for a Day in Russia.
As a child, supermodel Naomi Campbell trained to become a ballerina. Now, she gets the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream at Russia's historic Bolshoi Ballet. Can she keep up with the professionals? Watch and see!


1 day with Dutch National Ballet
Sefton Clarke, second soloist with Dutch National Ballet, takes you through all the schedule and behind the scenes of the company in one day.

Appreciation of elegant, grace and timeless style

Today's post is about appreciating elegance, timeless style.

The most common question parents will ask a ballet teacher before they sign up for ballet, is " What are the benefits of sending my children to ballet lessons?" I always tell my students' parents, besides the obvious reasons of promoting health, gain muscle motor co-ordination, music appreciation, your children will learn to appreciate grace, elegance and poise.

This is something you can't teach in classroom or at home. Children have to learn through watching people dance, how to stand and sit with poise, how to lift your arm gracefully... How to tell the difference of elegant and trash style.

One of my favourite wedding gown. Timeless, such elegance... April 19, 1956, the world was treated to a storybook romance come true when actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainer of Monaco.

New York City Ballet- Pointe Shoe

Love this video! I think FREED is really a pretty shoe, unfortunately, it is not so popular in this part of the world. We use more Gaynor Minden, Bloch,and my personal fav Chacott. I bought it from Japan, and loved it ever since i first wore one.

Is dancing, all you think about all day long?

I dedicate today's post to all true ballerinas, dancers, and teachers. We need to encourage each other to persevere and strive to be the best!

"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to!"

Happy Dancing!

I love Repetto Ballet flats!

Ballet flats + Rainy Day = Hmm... argh... not again?!...
Ballet flats + IPod = Walking on happy beats
Ballet flats + long legs = Super duper cute
Ballet flats + Shopping in Paris = Parisienne girl during summer

What a timeless elegance. Just a simple ballet flats can look so pretty and feel so comfortable.

Repetto ballet flats comes with a beautiful elegant box!


Repetto ballet flats.


How many pairs of Repetto ballet pointe shoes does a girl need? I once own up to 10 pairs of ballet pointe shoes at one time. Just love collecting them! I was so blessed for a Dad to travel around the world. He would buy a pair of ballet shoes from every country. My classic favourite is a ballet pointe from Russia! Yet that was one of the hardest and most uncomfortable shoes... I wonder how the Russians do their pointe work without toe pads in the olden days?


Repetto earlier website. (They have got a new look now. Got to check them out at http://www.repetto.com/)


Repetto promotional poster.


Beautiful window display of Repetto.





How can you resist such a pretty shop?


Another window display of Repetto in Paris.

Hope you enjoyed today's post!

For more wonderful products of Repetto, visit http://www.repetto.com/

Ballet in the park

Today i woke up, brush up, change into my cutest workout outfit. All black! Armed with my lil MP3 player, walked to a park. I started my warm up routine,

Plie (Centre)
Do this without bar. You would find that doing plie in centre, really workout all your muscle and train good balance.

2x Demi-plie
1x Grande Plie
Rise & Lower
(Arm - Full Port De Bra)

Repeat 10 sets.

Forward bend
Commence with 2nd position (as wide as shoulder width)
Do a full Port de bra forward bend. All the way to the floor.
Recover, bring arms to 5th position, open to 2nd position.
Plie.

Repeat 5 sets (Change your variation with side bends)


Grande Battement Derriere (Facing a bar)
5X Grande Battement Derriere with straight legs (Allowing body move forward, almost like doing a slit)
5x Grande Battement Derriere with bend legs (Body ache back, almost kicking to the back of your head)

Repeat Other leg

To read more about basic steps of ballet:-
The Australian Ballet: Basic Steps

Be creative! Have Fun!

Tiler Peck on Dance Magazine May Cover

One of my new favourite dancer Tiler Peck on the cover of Dance Magazine! Tiler Peck joined New York City Ballet in 2005, when she was a fresh-faced 16-year-old with a dazzling pirouette and a killer jump. Peck, who just turned 21, is now a principal with the NYCB, the youngest principal dancer.

Here, she talks with Dance Magazine's editor-in-chef Wendy Perron. Exclusive footage from the Dance Magazine May 2010 Cover Shoot featuring New York City Ballet's Tiler Peck.


Tiler Peck and Robert Fairchild rehearsing Afternoon of a Faun by Jerome Robbins for International Evenings of Dance at the Vail International Dance Festival. I love her pink leotard and white tights! And the studio is just amazing!


Read more: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/dance/82065/tiler-peck-in-the-sleeping-beauty-interview#ixzz0z2F8BvYC

Ballet class for kids with Down Syndrome

As i shared with you last week, that i'm preparing myself and planning ballet classes for children with special needs. I've been researching and reading a lot about these children, I thought my eyes and heart were open for the 1st time and i felt more passionate to share the joy of dancing with these amazing kids.

What children with special needs wish you knew
I'm just "me" and that's ok
I need friends along the way
I want to know God's Word
I like it when you talk to me
I won't give up-Don't you
I'm not sick- I have a Disability
I mess up-Like any other kid
I know God can use me-No matter what

Special needs children can benefit from dance, movement and music:-
-Boost self-esteem
-Build balance and coordination
-Increase muscle strength
-Increase muscle endurance
-Build flexibility
-Encourage team work, co operation and group skills
-Develop an awareness of beat, rhythm and movement to music skills
-Develop an understanding of musical qualities and the relationship of music to emotion and mood


Watch this video. Class brings joy of dance to children with Down syndrome.
How Dance instructor Todd taught a group of special need children.

Good tips and reference for my up-coming classes with the children in my church.


Instructor Todd Rosenlieb talks about the challenges and rewards of teaching dance to children with Down syndrome, as part of a six-week Adaptive Class that recently wrapped up its first session in Norfolk.

Top 7 reason why dancing is good for you

Dance to a healthier you!

Even as a child, i love moving my feet to rhythms and music. It makes me feel happy. I enjoyed moving and spinning around my room to the music from the stereo. I remembered the feeling was so good, lifted up my mood and get my heart pumping, leaving my cheek so rosy.

Here are few reason why we should dance:-

1) Dancing makes you happy

You brain releases a type of 'happy hormone' called endorphines, when you are exercising. Personally, i feel very tired and lazy if i stop exersicing for awhile; on the contrary, after a vigorious session of dance lesson, i feel much more energetic and my spirit uplifted. Can you imagine, a happy wife goes back home, husband is happy too. A happy mother return home to her home and children, happy family. Your whole life changes, relationship become better, work performance improve etc. It is a very positive and good cycle.

2) Self esteem booster

Mastering a routine, keeping good musical quality while dancing, builds confidence. It gives you a sense of achievement and successful when you master it. Not only you will feel that you are good, when you lose weight along the way, you would love to look into the mirror in the studio to check out your new self!

3) Keeps you young

Years ago, i attended a dance workshop, i met this 60 years old ballet mistress from Hong Kong. She look absolutely young physically, so flexible. When ask of her secret of staying young, she share with us her daily stretching routine, kept herself active teaching, ate a well balanced meal and get plenty of fluid. Voila! Dancing make you younger.

4) Stimulate your creative juice

Dancing, will stimulate your creative side of brain. You will learn to create your own steps after few years of learning. The best feeling is to be able to watch your own choreography come to live on stage!

5) Keeps the weight off
Dancing is a good form of exercising. Many people have lose weight dancing, and manage to maintain to keep their weight off by continue dancing!

6) Improve metabolism

Exercising increases metabolism rate. That is a fact! The more you move, the more calories you will burn.


7) Make some good friends along the way.

Your children will thank you for sending them to ballet/ dance lessons. I did! When i was six, my mother enrolled me into ballet class. I was a chubby little shy lassie, since i join my dance class, i made so many friends and slowly gain confidence. I coudn't wait for dance class every week!

New York City Ballet Spring Gala 2010

The 2010 New York City Ballet Spring Gala on April 29th featured a special preview of the exciting commissions premiering during the New Choreography and Music Festival.

Among famous dancers, Sarah Jessica Parker and Natalie Portman also stepped out for the 2010 New York City Ballet Spring Gala in NYC on Thursday evening. Natalie who wore Lanvin, had a special reason to be there — her boyfriend Benjamin Millepied is among the performers — and she recently played a ballerina in a movie, Black Swan alongside Mila Kunis. Sarah Jessica Parker is a huge supporter of the arts in New York including recently narrating an audio tour for the Met. The style icon wore a blush-colored, hand-embroidered cocktail dress by Elie Saab Haute Couture and a jacket by L'Wren Scottalso, wore a perfectly appropriate bun for the event.



Beautiful gala preparation set-up at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
Evening programme include world premiere of 2 ballets, New Millepied Ballet & New Ratmansky Ballet.

Making of Ballet Pointe Shoe

Have you ever make your old pointe shoe into soft shoe? I had a lot of fun, dismantling, pulling and taking out nails out of the old pointe shoe, while marveled at the anatomy of my pointe shoe, making into a wearable soft shoe.

Today's blog post, I want to share about the process of making a pointe shoe.

Here goes...
Step 1-2: Cutting, Sewing
The vamp section, quarter sections and linings that form the upper of the toe shoe are cut. After inspecting the fabric for imperfections, cutting room staffs do multicuts of yards of satin and lining material for stock shoes using hydraulic press to cut many layers at one time. Seamstresses at sewing machines join the fronts and backs (vamps and quarters) of the upper, and sew the satin and cotton lining sections of the upper together.

Step 3: Preparing the Insole, shank, and outer sole
The insole, shank, and outer sole are cut out of large pieces of leather to the shape needed by heavy mechanical presses.


Step 4: Pulling over
Pointe shoes are made on a straight last and have no right or left since this kind of "no-footed" construction gives better balance and a truer, straighter point.



Step 5-9: Blocking,The lasting steps, stitching and turning, insole insertion and Hammering out
Fabric, paper and special formula glue are used to build up the inside of the box.
The lasting step begins as the shoemaker pulls the uppers taut and uses his hands as well as various pushing and pulling instruments to mold the still soft block into its finished pointe shape, square, long, flat, oval, or curved.
He inserts the pleats by hand and pushes them into position with an awl-like instrument called the bone.
The pleats are stitched down with linen thread, and excess cloth is trimmed.
The insole and attached reinforcing shank are placed inside the shoe with glue and nails.



Step 10: Drying
Finished shoes are placed on a rack to dry for 2 to 4 days. At some factories, the shoes are baked in a hot-air oven.

Step 11: Inspection
Dried shoes are inspected for quality, and either stored until needed or prepared for shipment.

Ballet inspired party/ cocktail dresses

Have you ever plan to get dress up for a party the night before. Close your eye, you see yourself wearing a beautiful dress in the party. Indulge yourself. Become a walking dream. Getting dress for a party is the perfect way to get into the mood for having a good times!

Be the belle of the party!

Here are some ballet-inspired party/cocktail dresses.

Enjoy!




I love this! Here is a Don Loper Vintage dress.


1950s vintage AMETHYST BLUE nylon party gown.






Oscar De la Renta evening/wedding gown. Can you imagine them in other beautiful colours?

How about accessories for a party?


Here we see the beautiful flower head-wear from Carmen.

Salmon peach big rose blossom wedding flower hair comb



So pretty!