Tag Archives: #adultballetstudents

Sleep Is Better Than Cake

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Whenever you are in the midst of something stressful, cake seems like the thing to do. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s just me, but I have a feeling I’m not alone in this reaction. Whenever I’m experiencing a lot of stress, cake becomes my BFF. Or ice cream. Or cake and ice cream. Or… you get the picture. So when I spent literally years under the weight of stress, well… that’s not the only weight that happens. I think you get the picture.

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Milk Bar cake. If you are going to have cake… have some serious cake. 

 

The thing that I always forget is that feeling good is better than eating cake. Yes, actually eating cake does help me deal with stress. Well, for the short time that it takes to eat cake. But the rest of the time, not so much. It’s short-lived help, to tell the truth. What really helps is getting some sleep. Like actual sleep, good sleep, restful sleep. Which doesn’t happen just because I lie down. And when I lie down after I’ve eaten half a cake, I can guarantee to you that good sleep isn’t going to follow.

Learning to better deal with stress is such an important part of being healthy, not just for the stress itself but for all the stuff that happens (or doesn’t happen) around stress. Like cake. And no sleep. Lately, I’ve been eating lighter.  Very little cake… it was my sister’s birthday – happy B-day M – so there was cake but I’ve been cooking, drinking water, taking vitamins, and dealing with stress in better ways and as a result, sleeping well. It’s definitely better than eating cake.

Other ways to deal with stress:

  1. Cuddle the cat, any one of them, or the dog… or they each get a turn
  2. Go for a walk
  3. Read a good book
  4. Take a warm bath
  5. Have some warm mint tea
  6. Watch a ballet DVD
  7. Write in my journal
  8. Sing (poorly but hey, this is not American Idol here)
  9. Dance
  10. Talk about it with someone who gets it (Carboy or another good friend)

Hopefully, you’ve got healthy ways to handle stress… healthier than cake, so that when the occasion calls for cake, we can totally enjoy it and get good sleep too.

All will be well

 

 

Continuing an Interview with Sun King Dance Camp for Grown-Ups

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I know that you are all interested in dance camp but I know that you are probably like me and still hemming and hawing about the whole idea. To be honest, one of my first thoughts about dance camp is that even at the adult dancer level, it’s all about the natural dancers, the dancers who have particular talents, and the stars of adult ballet class… so I asked the lovely folks at Sun King Dance Camp, is camp a place for a singularly ordinary dancer like me?

 How do you know when you are ready?

This is a personal decision but it’s prudent to seek the advice of your teachers and your doctor. If you are just starting ballet classes, we recommend having at least a year of training before you come to camp as a Level 1 – Beginner. This is because we want to make sure you have a good experience. A base of knowledge of terminology, steps and etiquette are important. Becoming overwhelmed with information or being overtired is not conducive to fun and learning.

Camp consists of multiple classes in one day, so it’s very important to be healthy and fit enough for this kind of intense activity. Because one of our goals is for everyone to leave healthy and happy, we offer a Short Day Curriculum, which has fewer classes, for those who aren’t ready for the Full Day.

Dancing is the best training for dancing, but it’s also good to cross train in preparation for an intensive. Some good ideas for cross training are: Pilates, running/cycling/swimming, Zumba, and gyrotonics. Increase the number of dance classes you take. Camp consists of 3+ classes a day so try to take 2 classes a day, or one dance class plus a cross-training activity. Eat nutritious foods and get plenty of sleep to help your body get stronger!

Why is camp for everyone and not just class “stars”?

It doesn’t matter to us whether you a star in your class at home or at camp. Everyone deserves our time and attention. You are a star to us when you are interested, engaged and applying new information. Our goal to bring out the best dancer you can be.

To this end we have different levels at camp and we make class size a priority, everyone studies at their own level and each class is a learning opportunity. Teaching adults is our joy. Our intensives are a place to learn and develop your own gifts, and enjoy yourself.

I like the idea camp but how can I be sure it’s for someone like me?

Only you know when and if the time is right to attend an intensive, and remember not all intensives offered by us are the same. In summary, if you want to meet new dance friends, improve your skills or brush up on them, have a great time, and get away from everyday life, then this camp might be for you.

We hope you’ll come join us soon! Feel free to contact Heidi with any questions.

**Stay tuned because before I finish up with this series of questions with Sun King, I get to feature a male adult dancer who has attended camp for another wonderful perspective on what it is like to go to camp.**

Sun King Dance Camp: Photo belongs to Sun King Dance Camp

Sun King Dance Camp: Photo belongs to Sun King Dance Camp