Getting back into the swing of things

[malbeth704]

Hey everyone! I'm a dancer, but for various personal reasons it has been two years since I've been to a dance class. I'm going to college next year, so I will hopefully be able to go back to dance then. The whole point of this :lol: is that I am really REALLY out of shape and have lost much of my flexibility and strength...so I was wondering if any of you have or could offer a list of possible warmups and stretches that I could use to get back in shape? Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks y'all...

[peachexploration]

Hi Malbeth! Welcome to the DF. :D Have you tried Pilates and/or Yoga? I know quite a few people who get back to dance by starting there particularly if they have training in ballet. What are your dance interests by the way? :D

[pygmalion]

Hi malbeth704. Welcome. :D

There's a thread here somewhere called coming back after a dance hiatus (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1734), which addresses some of the emotional aspects of coming back. You might want to take a look. Quite a few of us have been in your shoes.

And I'm sure quite a few will pipe in with answers about stretches, etc. Enjoy.

And welcome to the forums. :D

Jenn

[malbeth704]

Thanks...I have dabbled in yoga/pilates, and it reminds me a lot of dance, which is why I enjoy it. I have about 11 and a half years of dance training in ballet (including pointe), jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, and lyrical under my belt. My favorites are probably tap and jazz, but I truly love all of it and miss it badly. I also am interested in ballroom dancing, though I have never really taken a class for it.

[Sagitta]

Welcome to df malbeth704!! :D 11.5 years of dance experience. Wow!! :) You have done all that I want to do, and haven't had the chance to do much of as I just recently started dancing.

Great to have you with us and to see that you are interested in ballroom. Are you interested in any particular ballroom dance(s)? Then there are two different styles of ballroom: International and American. American is what is commonly taught almost anywhere.

[malbeth704]

Well I'm not sure I know exactly what the difference between American and International is, but I really like Salsa and Tango...I guess International??? :)

[Sagitta]

As for styles I was just mentioning it as an aside...that what you probably will be offered will be American. I'm probably just making things confusing for you!! :oops:

And to make things even more complicated...If you are interested in salsa, and want to dance it in the clubs, that isn't ballroom salsa. See the thread on Salsa-club vs Salsa-ballroom (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2291), for example. The ballroom equivalent of salsa is mambo, which is useful if you want to compete.

[SDsalsaguy]

American is what is commonly taught almost anywhere.
Sorry Sagitta, but American style may be more popular, on average, throughout North America, but that hardly constitutes "almost anywhere." :?

[dancin_feet]

Welcome! I returned to dancing last year after a 16 year hiatus, so know exactly where you are coming from. I have done yoga and tai chi as well, so would definitely recommend that to get you back into shape.

I am the world's worst at stretching and warming up before class - never do it. Though I have only ever had one dancing injury and that was a pulled hamstring while doing warmups! Ironic, eh?

[malbeth704]

Dancinfeet how did you stand sixteen years away from dance??? I've only been away for about 2 or 2 and 1/2 and I miss it terribly! :cry: I was at the "senior" level at my studio, and in the most difficult classes, as well as in a competitive ensemble...I know that I won't be able to re-enter on the same level that I left, but how long do you think it might take me to get back to that? How long did it or has it taken you?

[dancin_feet]

Dancinfeet how did you stand sixteen years away from dance??? I've only been away for about 2 or 2 and 1/2 and I miss it terribly! :cry: I was at the "senior" level at my studio, and in the most difficult classes, as well as in a competitive ensemble...I know that I won't be able to re-enter on the same level that I left, but how long do you think it might take me to get back to that? How long did it or has it taken you?

A lot of procrastination, basically! :D I did a lot of dance like jazz, tap, ballet, ballroom as a kid and when I started in the workforce, discovered that I couldn't afford to keep it up (on a 15 year old's salary and all!). The interest and passion has always been there, but starting my own life kinda took over, trying to develop a career, discovered boys, you know ...... :wink: Have always danced, just hadn't taken a class for a loooooong time!

Thought about going back to dancing for about 12 months before I actually did. I had bought a house and was too busy convincing myself that paying it off was my priority, and I was miserable! Finally took the leap and I am now flat broke all the time, but I've never been happier.

I am a better dancer now than I was then, by a long shot, and I've only been at it for about 6 months. It all started to come flooding back to me, even in my introductory lesson. My instructor has worked with me on technique and style which I had never done before. Dancing as an adult is definitely different to dancing as a child/teenager.

It won't take you long at all - jump straight in and enjoy!

[pygmalion]

Thant's intriguing, danci_feet. HOw do think things are different as a child than as an adult?

[dancin_feet]

Thant's intriguing, danci_feet. HOw do think things are different as a child than as an adult?

Attitude is a big thing. Was not particularly confident as a child and less likely to try new things. I loved to dance, but was very inhibited. Now I find that as an adult I have far more confidence and don't care so much what people think or say, so am free to move how I want and try new things without fear of criticism.

Then there's the whole intimacy and physical side to dancing that I was too young to understand or appreciate. As a child, I knew what I could do but was scared to do it for fear that people would think I was "easy". Now I know what I can do and use it, frequently!! :lol:

[Sagitta]

American is what is commonly taught almost anywhere.
Sorry Sagitta, but American style may be more popular, on average, throughout North America, but that hardly constitutes "almost anywhere." :?

True!! I was just assuming that malbeth704 was from America!! :oops: Thanks for catching that!! :oops: :)

[Sagitta]

Thant's intriguing, danci_feet. HOw do think things are different as a child than as an adult?

Attitude is a big thing.

Then there's the whole intimacy and physical side to dancing... I knew what I could do but was scared to do it for fear that people would think I was "easy". Now I know what I can do and use it, frequently!! :lol:

I butchered your post dancin_feet!! :oops: :)

I find that both attitude and the intimacy/physical side of dancing is difficult for a lot of people and actually holds them back. I know quite a few people who have quit as they felt they were horrible on the dance floor and didn't want to go through the public humiliation. Unfortunately a lot of people probably didn't even notice them as they were having a good time or watching the really good dancers out there. :)

[dancin_feet]

I find that both attitude and the intimacy/physical side of dancing is difficult for a lot of people and actually holds them back. I know quite a few people who have quit as they felt they were horrible on the dance floor and didn't want to go through the public humiliation. Unfortunately a lot of people probably didn't even notice them as they were having a good time or watching the really good dancers out there. :)

Agreed. The first thing that was said to me when starting closed dance position and technique was that it will feel uncomfortable at first. Most people are just not comfortable with a relative stranger entering their personal space. Not for me (as regards to dancing, anyway!). :roll: Whereas if someone had done that with me when I was younger, I probably would have run away. :shock:

[pygmalion]

Funny, isn't it? My first dance teacher was gay, and I was SO glad, because that made me comfortable enough to be willing to dance with him. And we wern't even in body contact! :shock: :lol: Now, a mere 2.5 years later, my attitude is,"it's just body contact, what's the big deal?" My, how things change. 8)