Just Throw It In the Dance Bag

When it’s time to go to dance class, one thing every dancer needs is a dance bag.  There are many different styles to choose from.  First, a drawstring dance bag style can hold a couple of pairs of dance shoes and a few odds and ends; however, it doesn’t have extra pockets for any small items that you need to keep in your bag.  It is carried on your back and offers a great hands-free capability.  Another style is the dance duffel bag.  For younger dancers, a small duffel can hold all the necessary dance shoes as well as offer the option to carry the bag over your shoulder.  For older dancers, dance duffels begin to have pockets to separate shoes and accessories from one another.  Lastly, the messenger bag is another great option for dancers.  It has a large section for different shoes and usually sports an area for pens, business cards, iPods, or CDs.

Selecting the right one for you is important because these bags hold a lot of different must-have dance items.  Here is our list of what you may have (or want to have) in your dance bag:

• Extra hair-care items, including pony tails, bobby pins, and hairspray.  You always want to dance with your hair pulled away from your face for your own safety and the safety of those you dance with.  Also, while one class may call for a ponytail, you must always be ready to switch your hairstyle to a bun.  Having these items on hand will help you with this task.
• A second pair of tights because you never know when you might get a run in your tights.  Dancers always want to look their best, so having a pair of tights without holes in your bag will be helpful.
• All of your dance shoes.  This goes along with the first item above because you never know when you will need your tap or ballet shoes in an audition.  Be sure to bring all shoes to everything you attend to be ready for anything.
• A scented sachet or dryer sheet.  This is important to have in your bag because of the smell of dancers’ shoes.  Let’s face it — they smell pretty bad.  To help alleviate the odor, a dryer sheet or a small scented pouch or sachet can help with this.
• Rehearsal music.  Dancers should carry their music with them wherever they go to practice their routines.  Having your music and listening to it before a performance will be really helpful to your performance.
• A sewing kit because you never know when you may need it.  These kits come in handy a lot because anything can happen in the world of dance.  For example, your elastic on your ballet shoes may break, and with the sewing kit on hand, you can fix the problem in no time.

Some other items may include: water, snacks, first aid kit, or accessories.  What items do you feel we left out?  Please post them below!

Good Nutrition and Better Dance Clothes: A Ballerina’s Prized Possessions

Good nutrition is one of the most essential aspects of being a good dancer. But because of the need to fit in those dainty dancing clothes and also be light enough to perform pirouettes correctly, most ballet dancers fall victims of various eating disorders. So to correct common practice of skipping meals just to look good in leotards, here are some tips on how to eat well, look good and perform like it’s the last time you’ll dance on stage.

First, you have to be aware that restricting calories is not encouraged. Calories are important because they are later converted into potential energy. You will not able to keep up with the energy requirements in practices and dance routines if you do not have the energy to move. So instead of limiting your calorie intake, you must focus on eating power foods. To help you identify power foods, here are some tips:

• Choose foods are digested slowly so that you’ll have enough energy to last for a long time. Examples of these foods include whole wheat bread, brown rice and yellow vegetables. If you are serious about your diet, stay away from foods with refined carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread and deserts and so on because they contain white sugar that is easily digested by the body. If this is the case, your system will release insulin quickly and thus, your body will be forced to ask for more food to produce energy.
• Being a ballerina and a red meat lover won’t go well together so in order to be the former, you have to go really light on the latter. Red meat is rich in protein but it is loaded with animal fat. Animal fats add to your weight so unless you want to stay in the art of ballet for long, you need to cut down on animal fat.
• Lastly, in order to use those ballet dancing shoes as often as you need to, stock high on protein. Eat fish, nuts and chicken in order to get your needed body trim.

Second, bear in mind that ballet dancing is not aerobic. An aerobic exercise promotes better cardiovascular health because it encourages your heart to act. This means that in order to burn the right amount of calories, you need to move to encourage a faster heart rate. Doing 30 minutes of non-stop activity every day like walking, running or working out will help increase your stamina and at the same time, burn those extra calories. In addition, studies show that these aerobic activities, when done right, do not result in bulky muscles or ruin the long straight legs that are prized by ballerinas.

Lastly, to maximize every cent you spend on ballet dancing clothes and shoes, choose those made of quality materials. This way, you won’t be restricted in your movements regardless of whether you have just eaten or not. Other than that, if you dance equipment are long lasting, you won’t need to buy often and the money could just be spent for your body nourishment.

Every time you eat healthy, you will also be a step closer to your dream of being a prima ballerina. A toast to a better career.

Good nutrition is a matter of choice and interest. You can get the nourishment you need anywhere you look. But better dancing clothes can only be bought from the best sources like the Alyce Dancewear. Visit their website at www.alycedancewear.com.