The Novice Dancer: May 2013

Monday, 27 May 2013

Boys Examination Uniform - Royal Academy of Dance (Children's Sizes)

Girls Examination Uniform - Royal Academy of Dance (Children's Sizes)

There is a wide range of RAD examination uniforms available online. You may be able to buy them from your dance school so check with you teachers first (as it may be cheaper from them). If you do not have that option then here are the available products:

(Click text to view product)

Pre-Primary and Primary Grades
Chloe Leotard and Skirt (£23.80) (With RAD logo)
Georgette Crossover Skirt (£11.95) (With RAD logo)
Chloe Leotard (£14.50) (With RAD logo)
Chloe Leotard (£16.74) (With RAD logo)
Short Sleeved Leotard - Plume (£7.95)
Short Sleeved Leotard - Bloch (£8.55)
Short Sleeved Leotard - Capezio (£7.10)
Georgette Wrap Skirt - Roch Valley (£10.95)
Wrap Skirt - Capezio (£7.15)

Grades 1 and 2
Aimee Leotard (£14.45) (With RAD logo)
Aimee Leotard (£14.50) (With RAD logo)
Aimee Leotard (£15.54) (With RAD logo)
Tank Leotard - Plume (£6.95)
Character Skirt (£32.95)
Character Skirt (£22.95)

Grades 3, 4 and 5
Faith Leotard (£12.95 - £13.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Leotard (£9.95 - £10.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Leotard (£14.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Leotard (£14.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Short Sleeved Leotard (£12.45 - £14.45) (With RAD logo)
Tank V-Neck Leotard (£13.14)

Character Skirt (£32.95)
Character Skirt (£22.95)

Grades 6, 7 and 8

Aimee Leotard (£14.45) (With RAD logo)
Aimee Leotard (£14.50) (With RAD logo)
Aimee Leotard (£15.54) (With RAD logo)

Faith Leotard (£12.95 - £13.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Leotard (£9.95 - £10.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Leotard (£14.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Leotard (£14.95) (With RAD logo)
Faith Short Sleeved Leotard (£12.45 - £14.45) (With RAD logo)
Tank V-Neck Leotard (£13.14)

Tank Leotard - Plume (£6.95)
Character Skirt (£32.95)
Character Skirt (£22.95)
Georgette Repertoire Skirt (£19.50)
Circular Chiffon Skirt (£24.45)

Vocational Grades
Jane Leotard (£16.95) (With RAD logo)
Jane Leotard (£18.50) (With RAD logo)
Alice Leotard (£20.95) (With RAD logo)
Alice Leotard (£23.95) (With RAD logo)
Bethany Leotard (£22.45) (With RAD logo)
Bethany Leotard (£23.95) (With RAD logo)
Camisole Leotard (£11.50)
Tank V-Neck Leotard (£13.14)

View Full Ranges
Planet Dance (Official RAD garments)
Dance Gear Direct (Official RAD garments)
Move Dancewear (Official RAD garments)
Dance Direct
Porselli

Remember to take P&P into account.

Sunday, 26 May 2013

Overview

So, the blog is now on it's way!
Here's a walk through of what's happening.

Firstly, have a look at the pages. (Listed horizontally above this post)

If you'd like to know about me and my dance background, see the "About Me" page.
The "I Can't" page clarifies what I will not 'teach' or pass on advice about at the moment.
Dancewear can be very expensive so it is wise to shop around. The "Dancewear Retailers" page contains links to my favourite and cheapest online retailers, so you don't have to waste time!
The "You Should Know" page is a brief look at what every dancer should know.
The "Stretches" page (coming soon) will hold pictures showing how to stretch to warm up and become more flexible.
The "Requests" page is exactly what it says! If you would like help with something, comment on the page and I will do my best to assist.

To the right of the blog is a poll. Feel free to vote for your favourite style of dance. This is followed by a picture of our "Dancer of the Week". If you have a dancer you'd like to be featured comment on the "Requests" page.
If you have any questions or tips relating to a post, comments are more than welcome!

I hope you've found the blog useful so far, there's a lot more to come!

I'll do my best to post at least every weekend.

What to Wear to Ballet / Lyrical / Contemporary / Jazz / Modern / Tap Class? (Adults and Teens)

When you turn up for your first class you probably won't have your own dancewear. It's best to arrive in black leggings and a black top (and/or shorts if you wish). The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. If you know the class you are joining has uniform then try and wear a similar colour. This way you might feel more like part of the group. If you don't know then it's best to go with black.

If you have exam uniform, but no class uniform, then it is wise to wear it for class. Then you can get used to the feel of it and save money!

If you are not required to wear uniform for your class, and do not take exams, then here are some suggestions of what to wear for class:

Leotards

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Buy (Best Price):
1: http://www.movedancewear.com/leotards-move_motionfit_bibi_leotard/1405/
2: http://www.movedancewear.com/leotards-move_motionfit_caprice_leotard/1404/
3: http://www.dancegeardirect.co.uk/product/wendy-leotard-regulation
4: http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Products/Ballet/P01/plume-leotard-tank/
5: http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Products/Ballet/P07/plume-leotard-camisole/
6: http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Products/Ballet/P02/plume-leotard-capsleeved/
7: http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Products/Ballet/S4/plume-leotard-camisole-vfront/
8: https://dancewear.co.uk/products/details&prodid=878

Shorts, Leggings, Tights and Jazz Pants
If you prefer to wear leggings you may be able to find them cheap on the high street. However, I find these slide down so I prefer the leggings specifically made for dancing. Suitable shorts, stirrup tights, leggings and dance tights are available in many places. I recommend you take a look here.

Shorts
1: https://dancewear.co.uk/products&subcat=8
2: http://www.movedancewear.com/cat/dance_shorts/192/

Leggings and Stirrup Tights
1: http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Products/Urban-Dancewear/P678/black-leggings-dance/
2: http://www.dancegeardirect.co.uk/category/leggings-and-shorts
3: http://www.movedancewear.com/cat/legwear_tights_leggings_capri_pants/34_55/

Tights
1: http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Category/Ballet/Tights/
2: https://dancewear.co.uk/products&subcat=22
3: http://www.dancegeardirect.co.uk/category/tights-and-socks
4: http://www.movedancewear.com/cat/legwear_tights_dance_tights/34_46/
(3 pairs in one pack available)

Jazz Pants
1: https://dancewear.co.uk/products&subcat=7
2: http://www.dancegeardirect.co.uk/category/jazz-pants
3: http://www.movedancewear.com/cat/jazz_pants_adults_jazz_pants/112_116/

Friday, 17 May 2013

How to do a Bridge from Standing:

Firstly, you MUST be able to do a bridge from the floor. (So lying on the floor and pushing yourself up)

Secondly, make sure you're warmed up. Try and do a full body stretch, but of course the main focus is the back and also arms.

Thirdly, try and do this on an exercise mat. If you don't have one to hand then soft flooring (i.e. carpet) should be sufficient. Don't try this on a wooden floor. (Once I didn't warm up and tried to do a bridge on a wooden floor. I then landed on my head instead of my hands. It hurt.) A reasonable space is needed.

So, here we go!

When you first try it is a good idea to have someone stand in front of you and hold your waist firmly.

Put your arms up, making sure they are straight.
Bend backwards as far as possible.
Bend your knees when you need too.
Then, the scary bit, you'll feel like you're falling, but don't worry. You should fall onto your hands.

If you do not warm up, you could fall on your head, not hands. Like I did.

Keep giving it a go. It is scary, but once you get over the fear it's really fun! Remember, it is normal to fall, let it happen...otherwise your bridge won't!

GOOD LUCK!

Saturday, 11 May 2013

Capezio Freeform

These shoes are ideal for Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet and Jazz! The adjustable strap allows for a perfect fit and reassurance that they won't fall off. They're available in black and tan. They may seem expensive but they are brilliant quality and can be used for so many styles.

Buy
Best Price (Black Only)
- https://dancewear.co.uk/products/details&prodid=1792
Best Price (Tan Only)
- http://www.movedancewear.com/dance_shoes-capezio_freeform/1396/
Both Colours Available
- http://www.dancewear365.com/shoes/lyrical/capezio-freeform-jazz-shoe/
- http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Products/Footwear/FF01/capezio-freeform-ballet-shoe-ff01/

The Novice Dancer

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