Link Love: Exercises to Target the Core

Great articles and sites for building core strength!  I will definitely be adding some of these exercises to my teen and tween jazz classes (and my own personal workouts).

4 Great Core Exercises:  Click on the title of each exercise to see a video demonstration.

Max Capacity Training: Designed for body builders, this site has a bunch of great exercises for strengthening your core (and arms.. and legs...).  There are 12 exercises per week and exercises change every three weeks, so click on Weeks 1, 4, 7 and 10 to see all the exercises.

SOBuzz: Online Dance Directories

As a business owner, your online presence is essential.  In addition to your business showing up in Google searches, here are a few online directories that will make your studio even more accessible.  Most of these sites are free or have a free option. 

GENERIC
http://www.superpages.com/ - the online Yellow Pages
http://theusaexplorer.com/ - a huge directory listing businesses by town and city
http://local.yahoo.com/ - city guide
http://phones.whitepages.com/ - the online White Pages
http://citysearch.com/ - city guide
http://www.yellowusa.com/

DANCE-SPECIFIC
http://dancestudiosusa.com/ - dance directory
http://www.getyourkidsoffthecouch.com/ - collection of kids activities
http://www.dancedirectory.com/ - ballroom dance directory
http://www.dancedirectoryplus.com/

You might also want to do some research and see if your city or town has its own online directory.  My city has an online kid's directory that lists dance studios, gymnastics facilities, karate, etc.  Also check your local newspaper, radio and TV station websites for business listings. If you offer birthday parties, there might be an online directory for kids parties - make sure your studio is on the list!

Also, many of these are specific to the United States - for other countries, you might need to do a bit of googling to find directories specific to your country.

Anything others you can think of?

Black Swan Dance Double

Just read a great thought-provoking article by Wendy Perron at Dance Magazine mentioning Natalie Portman's much under-publicized "dance double", Sarah Lane in the film Black Swan.  Apparently, Lane was discouraged from taking interviews and talking to the press until after the Oscars! Perron gives her opinion on what it means to be a dance double in the film industry.


Read the full article here

Bonus material:  YouTube video showing special effects including replacing Sarah Lane's face with Natalie Portman's.

Theme Playlist: "Sea"

A theme playlist for all things ocean and sea related! Whether your theme is "Beyond the Blue" or "Sea Cruise", we've got you covered!

Children's Music for Tap or Jazz
Under The Sea - Pop Version
At The Bottom of the Sea - Ralph's World
Tidepool Boogie - Banana Slug String Band
Codfish Ball - Shirley Temple
Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites Album 
...and anything Beach Boys

Lyrical / Modern / Contemporary
Sail Away - David Gray
The Ocean - The Bravery
Sea Shells - Sia
Sea Lion Woman - Feist
Part Like Waves - Psapp
Wade In The Water - Eva Cassidy

Character
He's a Pirate - Pirates of the Carribbean
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
Anchors Away -

Ballet
Caribbean Blue - Enya
The Water is Wide - James Taylor
Aquarium - Carnival of Animals
Ripples In The Pond - James Newton Howard

Other
Saturday Night Fish Fry
Umbrella Beach - Owl City
Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin
All At Sea - Jamie Cullum
Shark In The Water - VV Brown
Rock the Boat - Aaliyah
S.O.S. - Rihanna

Click here for more playlists...

Thera-bands for Dancers, Part 3: Foot & Ankle Exercises

Exercise bands, Thera-bands or similar resistance training are often suggested for dancers to increase the strength with at-home practice.  What exercises should dancers do and what can be done safely at home, without a teacher to observe incorrect habits being formed?

We will be exploring these questions and more during our series:  Thera-bands for Dancers

Today's post is about foot exercises you can do in class or at home to improve your muscle strength.  Before you begin, remember to review our exercise tips.

Benefit to dancers: Improved foot articulation, strengthened point during all exercises, extra push during jumps, higher foot arch (posterior tibial muscle), toe flexors and extensors along with your ankle and calf muscles.

Toe Crawls**
Lay the band (you can also use a towel or piece of fabric) out away from your foot.  While standing or sitting, use your toes to "grab" and pull the fabric / band towards you.  Repeat for the full-length of the band.  You can also strengthen your toes by "grab" marbles or other small objects.

Toe Flexion**
Sit with your foot flexed.  Loop the band around your foot with one end under your heel and the other over your toes, pulling the ends towards you, creating resistance.  Slowly push with just your toes to a crunched position.  Repeat