Dance can help change the brain. This statement seems sweeping and unfounded, and yet it is true. Much like how our life experiences change the brain, dance can also. I've previously written about how dance can help those with Parkinson's, a neurological condition that can also affect the mental health of a patient (Read More… Continue reading Welcoming Well-Being: How Dance can help the brain.
There are a few misconceptions within the society that we live in. Not least that those who are highly active, athletes and dancers to name a few professions, are somehow more virtuous than the rest of us. In 2015 Eric Underwood, then a Royal Ballet soloist, with the help of the Telegraph wanted to change… Continue reading Dance and Smoking
Jumping has long been one of my favourite parts of dance class. Not because I'm good at it, I have a habit of not using my pliĆ© as much as I should that I'm trying not to pass on to my student. But just because I enjoy it. Jumping forms the basis of many moves,… Continue reading One Move at a Time: Beats (or more formally entrechat)
Last weekend was a big weekend for dance in the UK. The London Excel Centre held the Move It 2018 event. The event spans over three days and every day is different. There's performances happening in lots of different places, the main stage, the showcase theatre, as well as the freestyle stage and other locations… Continue reading Reflecting on Dance Events: Move It 2018
In January many of the students, at Exe Dance Arts, that I teach took part in an IDTA exam sessions. For most this was their first exam sessions. There were many other teachers that took part in this exam session and I hope everyone's results were great! For me I had students doing both Freestyle… Continue reading RADanceFitness: 2018 January Exams
Dance can be tailored for many different ages groups and abilities, by using more accessible music and easier to learn steps. But sometimes groups can get bored of the week in week out monotony of learning steps and routine, or in some cases never really seem that interested in choreography. This is especially true of… Continue reading Teaching Tips: Dance Based Games
In May last year I wrote an article outlining common dance injuries and ways to treat them. This post can be viewed using this link; https://radancefitness.com/2017/05/17/injuries-in-dance/. Similarly to that post, this weeks post will also focus around injury. Informing you of external factors that can contribute to injury, in order for you to have further education… Continue reading Development Series: Recognising Contributing Factors of Injury.
The leg hold is a challenging move that I usually only begin to try with senior dancers. There are components that make up this move that can be tricky for younger dancers to pick up. That being said strong dancers of any age can grasp this move with a little practise. The components that make… Continue reading One Move At A Time: Leg Holds
By no means am I, yet, an expert on this topic. I'm creating this post mainly as an exploration for myself and a reminder to try many of these ideas. As you teach you become aware that not everyone is motivated to learn, and as the teacher it is your job to help inspire them… Continue reading Teaching Tips: How to Inspire Children to Dance
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attended my first IDTA London Seminar. This is a little gathering of teachers of all styles, to talk about different elements of the syllabus and take part in workshops. Both sides of the IDTA were there, both Ballroom and Theatre. Whilst my qualification resides in the Ballroom branch,… Continue reading Reflecting on Dance Events: IDTA London Seminar 2018
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