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All About Ballet

A dancer is.....

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A DANCER WHEN...


**You stay up for three hours the night before a performance sewing ribbons on pointe shoes.
 

**Being corrected isn't considered an insult
 

**You rant and rave about the joys of stretching yourself out in every direction and your mother wonders where she went wrong.
 

**You learn how to make light of a mistake on stage.
 

**Leotards and tights become more comfy than clothes.
 
**You suddenly have the urge to curtsy instead of saying thank you

 
**Changing costumes in the wings in one minute becomes easy

 
**You're able to untie and retie a pointe shoe in 45 seconds flat

 
**Dancing with blisters becomes the norm.

 
**Listening to Nutcracker music is a curse

 
**You become a master in the field of toe health care

 
**When waiting in line at the mall you stand in first position
 
 
**You fall asleep in the splitz because "it's such a comfortable position!"
 

**You're constantly broke because you're destroying pointe shoes at a constant rate of three per month.
 

**You worry more about having water than food
 

**You wonder why the average person goes to touch their toes and can't get past their knees without groaning.
 

**You go to grab something off the floor and your leg shoots up to a perfect penchee.
 

**You forget how to count past 8
 

**You're able to sew anything in a quick fix.
 

**You think the best cure for a sprained ankle is to dance on it.
 

**You recycle everything fom tights to pointe shoes to leotards
 

**You find that odd things like masking tape and paper towels are more useful than band-aids.
 

**The studio becomes your second home
 

**Your bedroom is clean as a result of never being in it.
 

**Your dancebag is a pigsty as a result of always being in it.
 

**Potentially hazardous sports are off-limits until after Nutcracker season
 

**You hear football players complaining of "turf toe" and laugh at the simplicity of their toe problems
 

**Karate is a no-no because you find it hard to kick with flexed feet and uneven hips
 

**Instead of jogging, you run turned out and on the ball of your foot.
 

**You're not sure if the mirror has become your friend or your enemy.
 
 
**You put on your pointe shoes to reach high places
 
 
**You use your swingset to practice fouettes
 
 
**You dance down the hallway instead of just walking
 
 
**You walk with your feet turned out without even thinking about it
 
 
**You have a permanent crease in your hair from all those buns
 
 
**The top shelf in your cupboard is filled with old dance shoes
 
 

Stretch At Home

Here are a few stretches you can use to help you become a better dancer!

First sit in second on the ground. Then put your body into the centre of your legs and roll through the splits. This exercise is perfect to do when you're watching T.V. and the ads are on!

Sit on the floor and bring your leg up to your face , or your foot to your nose for a challenge and try to hold it for 5 minutes everyday! Dont forget to do both legs!

Do 45 situps everyday and/or crunches

Do 36 push ups everyday before dance

Do 45 releves in first, second, third, fourth, and fifth position. Then do the same amount with one leg in attitude. This exercise really strengthens your ankles for pointe work!

For turn-out lie down with your legs straight in the air, then slowly turn out your legs and feet.Do this 8 times every 10 minutes or so! 

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