The origins of ballet are rooted in the extravagant royal court commemorations of 15th century Renaissance Italy. The word ballet is derived from the Italian word ‘ballare’ which means ‘to dance, to jump about’. Aristocratic families enjoyed lavish celebrations such as weddings and parties with grandeur; dance and music were always part of these celebrations. […]
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The Relevé guide to overcome pandemic fatigue
Part 1: Meditation & morning habits to overcome pandemic fatigue What a year it has been… A pandemic, the threat of World War III, global recession, political turmoil, millions infected, and millions of loved ones lost. Want to overcome pandemic fatigue? The toll of this pandemic on human health (and the collateral damage incurred) has been […]
The importance of good posture
All dance performances require technical skills, flexibility, and physical strength. In ballet, dancers focus on postural stability to execute different techniques. Ballerinas require a higher level of control of their muscles to perform intricate movements with precision and hold positions for extended periods, all while looking incredibly elegant and graceful. Correct posture and body alignment […]
The Battle of the Ballerina’s Bunions
Similar to the general population, dancers are either genetically predisposed to bunions or not. Dancers, however, may be at a high risk of developing bunions as they are overexposed to risk factors – namely – tight fitting footwear (pointe shoes/ballet flats) and certain movements that allow for excessive straining of the big toe joint. A bunion […]
Diversity and Inclusion in the World of Ballet
The father of ballet, Marius Petipa, paved the way for modern-day classical ballet. Ballet, with its origins in the 15th and 16th century Italian and French Renaissance, has evolved from court entertainment to the contemporary art form we know and love today. The 20th century gave birth to masterpieces such as Romeo and Juliet, The […]
Our guide to tackling performance anxiety
As dancers, we spend our whole lives stringently preparing for the stage. Being on that stage is a dream come true, the culmination of years of hard work and scrutiny. But, just before going on stage, have you ever felt dizzy, nauseous, or you go blank and can’t remember your choreography? Your mind is racing, […]
The best ballet workouts for legs & butt
Ballerinas are known for their exquisite physique, extraordinary strength, and impeccable grace. Ballet dancers are conscientious about their training, spending countless hours to perfect their craft. The lean, sculpted body of a ballerina exudes both strength and elegance. A ballerina is always in control of every movement, and every muscle of her body as she […]
Feminism in the Dance World
In the wake of the women’s marches across the globe, the #metoo campaign and the stars of Hollywood creating a storm in the wake of insurmountable sexual harassment scandals, it’s only natural to start to hold the same critical lens up within which we see and understand women and gender within the industry of professional […]
IANA SALENKO shares her fitness secrets.
Ukrainian Prima Ballerina Iana Salenko has graced world stages with her exquisite presence for years. From London’s Royal Ballet to the Berlin State Ballet, her drive for success and underniable beauty on stage has set her apart from the rest of the ballet world. Standing at only 5’2″ she manages to fill an entire stage with […]
SHOWMEYOURBEAUTY
Okay girls it’s time! It’s time to lift up your right hand with some serious love but ever so gentle anger, slap yourself on your beautiful buttocks and say to yourself, stop it! Stop looking in the mirror and picking out every part of your body that you strongly dislike. Stop focusing only on your […]