Tell us about some trials and triumphs of being a dance parent. 

Brett: There are big and small trials and triumphs every single day. The whole ballet training path is a trial. These kids are under so much pressure at such a young age. And they are expected to behave like adults in the studio, yet once they’re out of the studio, they’re treated like the children they are. This can really mess with a dancer’s head. 

For us, the biggest trial was when Sam got injured going into his last year at San Francisco. Because he/we downplayed what was likely an injury he had had for a while before going into summer, it only got worse during the two (very rigorous) summer programs he attended. 

By the time he returned for the school year, the injury was so bad that it sidelined him for all of the first semester. This led to a lot of mental health issues and ultimately caused him to rethink whether or not he wanted to continue in ballet. It was so bad that we had to look at potentially switching training programs, which he ultimately did in 2022, when he joined the second company at Houston Ballet Academy (HBII).

In terms of triumphs, most parents would probably assume that the ultimate triumph was Sam having the luxury of deciding between two attractive company offers and ultimately signing a contract with a large ballet company. 

But the real triumph is that Sam’s mental health is back where it needs to be. Along with Sam, who did the hard work, the two people I credit for that are Elizabeth Sullivan, a performance coach, who has been mentoring him since he was 15, as well as Jen Sommers, the director of the Houston Ballet Academy, who gave him unwavering support while he was there. Sam would describe HBII as a two-year boot camp with all the attendant BS that goes along with it. But he also says that he wouldn’t be the dancer he is today without those two years. 

It was in Houston where he also rediscovered his joy of dance. Sam loved to perform, but for many years, that spark had disappeared. In December of his first year, he was asked to perform a piece by Trey McIntyre called Leatherwing Bat as part of his mid-year evaluation. 

We decided not to attend because we didn’t want to put pressure on him. Later, when we watched the recording of the performance, there was a moment, midway through his performance, when a huge smile came across his face and it was clear the joy of being on stage had returned. My husband and I both cried. Not because of how well he performed the piece, but because we saw that our son was truly happy again just dancing. 

I asked Sam about that, and he told me that he started to smile because, all of a sudden, it came back to him on why he danced. For the first time in years he loved it again.

It’s easy to get sucked into the ballet training vortex and only focus on potential career success. Until your kid starts to struggle. Watching Sam go through this, and come out in a better place emotionally, put everything in perspective.

In terms of my own triumphs, the biggest benefit of being a ballet parent is the friendships you develop. At every school Sam has attended, I’ve been fortunate enough to develop deep friendships with parents who understand what we’re all going through. We’ve celebrated our kids’ triumphs together and cried on each other’s shoulders when things were looking bleak. Having that built-in support network was instrumental in helping me survive this wild ride!

Jenny: Trial: Abbey never met a hobby she didn’t like. She loved them all and excelled at most things she tried. Eventually, she became the typical overscheduled, stressed-out kid. It happened so gradually that we didn’t realize how much she was struggling until it was too late. Abbey was in 7th grade for her first year at SFBS, but she was also the first chair in the school band, commuting 100 miles a day for ballet 5 days a week, competing with her original dance studio, and still in full-time school taking honors classes. 

Saying it out loud makes me seem like a crazy tiger mom. I still shake my head at the absurdity of it. We tried to get her to quit a thing or two, but she was not ready to give any of these things up because they were important to her. So we supported her. She began to show signs of emotional distress in the spring, and by May she was having panic attacks. 

Luckily, her school year was almost over and we were able to help her move on from some of her commitments on top of getting her into therapy. I am proud of the work she is continuing to do on herself to prioritize her mental health by setting better boundaries around overcommitting herself, attending regular therapy sessions, and having hobbies that are just for fun with no commitments attached to them. 

Triumphs: In January of 2023 Abbey had bilateral surgery on her ankles, and her recovery back to dance was well over 5 months long. She had accepted PBT’s company experience SI offer back in January, and the date was coming up fast. Abbey was feeling nervous that she would not show her best self and some of her friends who went to the program the previous year said the program was “fun but no one but the PBT kids get any solo parts.” Well, we had a dilemma. 

She had been cleared by the doctor to dance and I had a feeling about the PBT program, so I told her she had to go. Well, she went with reservations. She had a blast, made some terrific friends, danced several solo parts including Odette, and the cherry on top was they offered her a contract for the upcoming season. Feel free to listen to the episode of Ballet Help Desk where I interviewed her about the experience. 

What are some things about the dance world that you would like to see shift in the future? 

Brett: There are a few things: First, I’d like to see ballet schools and companies standardize their postgraduate levels in terms of naming and numbers. Right now, these levels are all over the place, which makes it difficult to compare two programs. For example, one trainee program (San Francisco Ballet School) has around 12–14 dancers each year, and it’s the only level before going into the main company. It’s usually a one-year program. 

Houston Ballet Academy also only has one level before the main company but it’s called HBII and is a two-year program. Their numbers range from 14–18 depending on the year. Then, you have places that have 60 trainees and then also a second company, which means there are two levels before the main company. I’d really like to see leveling become more consistent across companies. 

This lack of consistency is one of the primary reasons we created a directory of postgraduate programs. This directory allows dancers to compare programs based on a number of factors including tuition costs, availability of housing, whether or not there is a stipend, whether dancers are paid for main company roles, etc.

I’d also like to have some protections put in place for students in the postgraduate levels. Often these students are used to augment the corps of the main company. Yet, not all companies pay their postgraduate students when they perform in company roles. If they were in the main company, they would absolutely be paid for these.

Finally, I’d like to see ballet schools be much more transparent about not only where their dancers go but what the placement rate is. Many schools will post glowing things on social media listing where their graduating students are going. This is a great step beyond what they were doing before. But it doesn’t provide the whole picture. If the graduating class is 12 and all 12 get contracts, that’s amazing. But if the graduating class is 60 and 12 get contracts, that’s also something I’d want to know. 

In addition, some dancers go off to college and then do great things both within and outside of dance. I’d like to see more schools celebrate this and publish that along with the contracts their dancers got. Show us the whole picture of what the graduating class is doing rather than cherry-picking certain things that they think will present them in the best light.

Jenny: I want to share something Sarah Wroth (the head of the dance program at Indiana University) said that resonated with me: “The absence of communication becomes the narrative.” I believe there should be a shift in ballet training and company life where dancers are included in the conversation. If I could make a wish list, I would also include parents in these conversations. 

Dancers are often left out of important communication about their training and even their careers. As a result, they sometimes assume the worst, thinking things like, “That teacher/ AD/ballet master hates me.” This happens because they feel picked on, ignored, or passed over. This lack of communication can have a big impact on a dancer’s confidence in class and performance. I believe involving the dancers and their parents can empower dancers to feel like they have a bit more control over the trajectory of their careers. 

I would like to see some sort of standard credentialing for ballet teachers as well as mandatory continuing education. As of right now, the only qualification you need to have to teach at a US ballet school is a ballet career, and sometimes not even that is required. 

I would also love to see some sort of governing body that sets basic standards for the number of classes for certain ages, guidelines on how to treat students with health issues including eating disorders, and protections for students with injuries (physical or mental) where their spot in the school is secure and they can go home and get the treatment they need and they won’t be cut or passed over. Ballet education needs oversight; it is unable to effectively police itself.

The Ballet Help Desk is a very comprehensive site for useful resources, where do you see your company headed in the future?

Brett: Good question! We have our hands full right now with what we’ve taken on and we want to make sure that what we’re doing is best serving dance families. One area of focus, going forward, is to really build out our year-round training reviews. People are so reluctant to fill them out, for fear of retribution from schools. And that is a real fear. But unless we can get a critical mass of them, it isn’t helpful for younger students who may be considering full-time training in the future. 

We also just finished a survey of where we can better serve the dance community. So we’re sifting through the feedback and using it to make some decisions on next steps.

Jenny: Thank you for saying that. I think what we have achieved in a year and a half is noteworthy, but there is always room to make Ballet Help Desk better and more comprehensive.  I think I am the dreamer in this partnership. Brett is really good at reeling me in and making me focus on what we can realistically attain, but since you asked I will share a few. I would love to do more collaborations with other resources for ballet parents to create new pathways to access information and bring more transparency to the ballet training path.

As we build more trust with our audience, I am hopeful that we can help parents and dancers make more informed decisions about where to go for their next stage of training. There are so many hidden gems that are overshadowed by big-name schools. People are too afraid to fill out our year-round reviews even though they are completely anonymous. I think most ballet schools currently receive little honest feedback.  

The only way to bring real comprehensive, unbiased feedback is through our reviews. The more people who fill out the survey, the more we will get a comprehensive view of the ballet landscape. My ultimate goal is that more and more schools will proactively send out our reviews and we can work together to help improve the environments that develop the next generation of ballet dancers and also support them in becoming happy, healthy adults.

I would love for more people to reach out and contribute to the ongoing series called Dancer’s Story where a parent/friend talks a dancer through and asks questions about a pivotal time in their ballet path. Good, bad, sad, or funny. I think there is so much to gain from hearing from the dancers and being interviewed by someone who went through the experience with them. I did it with my daughter when she got her contract from PBT, and we had several parents reach out and share how helpful it was to hear some of the decisions she made in the moment. 

We have some really exciting things in the pipeline, so stay tuned!

The post Ballet Help Desk Part II: Looking Forward appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Details on the giveaway:*

One winner will receive ALL of the items listed below. To enter, go to @thewholedancer on Instagram and find this post. 

Fuego Dance Sneakers

These dance sneakers are truly revolutionizing the market. They are the lightest-weight dance sneakers available. I’ve got a pair myself, and they’re my favorite shoes to teach in when I’ve got hours to get through. 

All Fuego styles feature patented outsole technology including pivot points to help with spins and turns and a sole engineered for dancing on any surface. The dual pivot point on the bottom of Fuego sneakers lifts a dancer two millimeters off the ground, which boosts spin ability while reducing friction and torque on a dancer’s knees.

Giveaway winner receives: a free pair of sneakers in the style and color of choice

Jule Dancewear

Founded by former professional dancer, Julia Cinquimani, Jule Dancewear is a high-quality dancewear brand committed to producing dancewear that accommodates all body types.  Jule Dancwewear’s leotards focus on fashion and function in their sleek and comfortable designs. 

Jule is honestly my leotard obsession. I’ve got a collection of them, and each one is better than the last. They help me feel beautiful and confident. Dancewear really can have a transformative impact on how you feel as you’re dancing. Make sure you give Jule a try to see for yourself. 

Giveaway winner receives: a leotard of your choice

Lauren in the Limelight by Miriam Landis

Miriam Landis is a former professional ballerina now on faculty at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Lauren in the Limelight is a coming-of-age novel about the challenges and triumphs of a young dancer’s journey. With rave reviews from Megan Fairchild, Kathryn Morgan, Peter Boal, and more, Lauren in the Limelight will not disappoint.

“As she begins 6th grade, Lauren Lightfoot wants nothing more than to get her first pair of pointe shoes, enjoy her love for ballet, and spend time with her friends. Lauren and her friends Bryan and Serena are challenged to define themselves both on stage and in the world when they audition for the Pacific Northwest Ballet School and compete for roles in the spring recital.”

A fun read for dancers of any age. If you’re already a pro, you can reminisce about your training days with this beautiful story.

Giveaway winner receives: a copy of Lauren in the Limelight

Orza Pro Ones

Another shoe brand that is revolutionizing the market is dancer and medical professional-backed brand, Orza by Seth Orza.  

The Orza Pro Ones are designed to provide shock absorption and stability.  With patented technology, the Orza Pro One can help protect against injury and enhance a dancer’s well-being. 

I haven’t gotten to try Orza Pro Ones just yet, but I’m getting some for Christmas! I can’t wait to see how they fit and perform. The reviews are amazing.

Giveaway winner receives: 1 pair of Orza Pro Ones in the material, color, and size of choice

PerfectFit Pointe 

PerfectFit Pointe provides a custom pointe shoe insert that the user molds themselves.  These inserts aid in relieving pressure points and help with weight distribution.  

PerfectFit Pointe inserts are a smart-fitting solution to helping your foot fit perfectly in your shoe.  Currently used by many professional dancers, PerfectFit is built to support your pointe shoe journey and help you dance confidently and joyfully. 

Whenever I see PerfectFit videos, I can’t help but think what a difference they would have made for me in relieving pain and pressure on pointe. Definitely give this product a try!

Giveaway winner receives: PerfectFit Kit

Ororo Classic Heated Vest

We are obsessed with the Ororo heated vest. It has 3 carbon nanotube heating elements that generate heat across core body areas (left & right-hand pockets, upper back), 3 adjustable heat settings, and a 10-hour battery life (3 hours on high, 6 hours on medium, 10 hours on low).  

The vest is machine washable and rechargeable through a USB port. What an amazing warmup tool for dancers!

Giveaway winner receives: one Ororo classic heated vest

The Whole Dancer Coaching and Courses

A holiday wishlist wouldn’t be complete without some focus on personal development and growth. Coaching and courses at The Whole Dancer provide dancers (ages 15+) with the support and resources to transform your experience of dance and life.

Are you ready to find an easy-going approach to food, to release your body as a distraction in class, and to truly reach your fullest potential as a dancer? You can get the job or land the dream role but first you need to focus on your mindset and well-being.

Want to explore coaching today? Sign up for a coaching consultation call here.

Giveaway winner receives: a 6-session mini coaching package (each session is 30 minutes long) and The Whole Dancer sweatshirt (only size L or XL available)

*Giveaway terms and conditions:

The prize winner will be notified on Instagram.

@thewholedancer

@fuego.dance

@juledancewear

@mirlandis

@perfectfitpointe

@ororo.wear

@orzabrand

The post The Whole Dancer Holiday Gift Guide 2023 appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Here at The Whole Dancer, we’re all about self-care, and when a product comes across my desk that’s all about self-care for your feet, you know I’ve got to share it. My super-star administrative and social media assistant, Tatum and I got to sample some products from Naboso Technology (use code: THEWHOLEDANCER for 10% off your purchase), and they were so awesome, we wanted to share them with you.

From the company: “Naboso, meaning ‘barefoot’ in Czech, is the first-ever small nerve proprioceptive material commercially available and designed for the purpose of improving posture and enhancing movement. Through our innovative products we are dedicated to helping impact lives in the categories of neurorehabilitation, human performance, and wellness.”

Naboso Recovery Socks

Tatum’s thoughts:

When I received the Naboso recovery socks, I was a bit skeptical. I have never heard of a sock that can “release and recover your feet while simply walking around your home… with every step you take our neuro-stimulating texture acts like a mini-massage for your feet enhancing circulation, stimulating nerves and releasing muscles and fascia.” I have all the massage tools in the book. Why would I need socks, too?  Once I put them on, though, I was pleasantly surprised.  

When I took them out of the box, I was intrigued by the textured insoles.  The sock itself is not very stretchy, but it was surprisingly easy to put on.  At first, it was slightly uncomfortable.  The textured insole is fairly stiff and the texture is spiny.  After a couple minutes, I got used to it.  

I wore the socks for about an hour after a long day of dancing followed by teaching.  I usually have quite a bit of foot fatigue throughout my week due to long dancing and teaching hours.  When I took them off, my feet felt so relaxed, my foot pain was pretty much gone. My foot muscles didn’t feel nearly as fatigued.  

Although the directions say to wear the socks at the end of the day or after a hard workout, I actually enjoy wearing them in the morning as a way to prep my feet for the day.  Sometimes, I get home so late that I would rather sleep than spend 30 minutes rolling out and stretching before bed.  Wearing these socks during my morning routine helps to loosen up my foot muscles with minimum time and effort, something I think all dancers can appreciate.  

I absolutely love these socks.  They are great for recovery or wearing in the mornings if your feet feel sore or tight.  I would recommend them to anyone who struggles with foot pain or is on their feet a lot for their job.  

Jess’s thoughts:

I love these socks! It’s so helpful that this is a passive way to do something incredibly beneficial for your feet and body. You’ve heard me say it a million times — dancers are usually overextended and low on time. With the Naboso socks, you’re aiding in your recovery simply by putting on a different sock at the end of the day.

I wore my recovery socks for the first time after a night of teaching. I teach for 3.5 hours just 1 night a week, but I haven’t been in the studio, on my feet, moving like that in years. It’s a lot for me, and I’m always physically exhausted and a bit sore at the end of the night. I honestly felt instant relief when I put these socks on. I’m just going to keep them in my dance bag from now on.

Naboso Neuro Ball

Tatum’s thoughts:

The Naboso Neuro ball is coated in the same spiny material as the inside of the socks are.  The massage ball works really well.  An added bonus is that if you step on the seam of the ball with your heel, it pops open to reveal a smaller ball.  

It’s a nice two-in-one feature that gives you more options for your needs.  I did try the ball on other parts of my body, and it was far too uncomfortable to use anywhere besides your feet — so stick to the directions!  Overall, the ball is nice, though I much prefer the socks.

Jess’s thoughts:

This product is so much fun. As someone who doesn’t use a ton of massage products, I love that this one comes in a compact package but is multi-functional. In all honesty, the first few weeks I had it, my daughter just wanted to play with it, but when I finally started using it, I wished I had explored it sooner.

Like the socks, it’s easy to just keep it with you and use it as you need. I also used it on my ankle and calf, which was really nice! 

Overall, I love that these products were created by functional podiatrist and human movement specialist, Dr. Emily Splichal. They are backed by research and science, and they can truly improve foot recovery. Dancers will only benefit from looking for new and innovative ways to improve their long-term foot health.

From Naboso

The Recovery Socks are recommended for:

• Resetting the feet at the end of a long day or hard workout 
• Minimizing foot fatigue and foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis or arch pain
• Reducing foot fatigue in standing employees such as nurses, hair stylists, trainers
• Improving foot circulation and peripheral nerve health 

The Neuro ball is recommended for:

• Resetting the feet at the end of a long day or hard workout 
• Massaging foot muscles and minimizing arch pain associated with plantar fasciitis 
• Improving foot and leg recovery for healthy movement  

The Neuro ball is one of the most versatile and dynamic tools on the market designed to treat your feet.

Don’t forget! You can use code: THEWHOLEDANCER for 10% off your purchase.

About Tatum Lang 

Job: Professional Dancer and Dance Teacher 

Tatum is a professional contemporary dancer and dance teacher in Chicago, Illinois.  Throughout her pre-teen and teen years, she attended summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, The School of Ballet Arizona, and Kansas City Ballet School.  After graduating from the University of Iowa in 2021 with a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Arts Entrepreneurship, she moved to Chicago to pursue her dance career.  Tatum has performed with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago Dancers United, and in additional freelance works.  Outside of dance, Tatum is a social media and administrative assistant for Jess at The Whole Dancer and works as a grant writer and communications director for The International ScreenDance Festival.  Outside of work, Tatum loves going for walks, baking, and reading a good book.  

For more about Jess, click here.

The post Self-Care for Your Feet appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Time off can exacerbate body struggles, food relationship issues, and general feelings of stress or unease. However, it’s also really important for dancers to take time to rest and be away from the studio and the busy schedule.

When I was dancing professionally, I was incredibly stressed that the time off would lead to uncontrollable weight gain. This is an unfortunate and unfounded fear for so many dancers. For me, this led to overexercising, big food struggles, and general unhappiness in a time that could have been fun, relaxing, and revitalizing. I want it to be different for you.

Set some summer intentions.

Planning can help you ease some of the anxiety about time off. It will also allow you to recognize weeks when you might benefit from increasing activity level for an intensive or before the start of your season.

When it comes to intentions, my recommendation is always to start with how you’d like to feel. Maybe you’d like to feel relaxed or productive. Perhaps you want to go back to your in-season dance schedule feeling refreshed, inspired, or revitalized.

Once you identify your desired feelings, next ask yourself what actions will support you in achieving those things.

Supportive summer action steps.

In case you’re feeling lost trying to figure out ways to prioritize rest but also feel productive, here are some ideas. 

1. Reconnect to your why and your goals.

It’s very possible that as the end of the season approached, you struggled. You’re going at a high intensity for months on end and have to be incredibly focused on your dancing. Let your layoff be an opportunity to remember why you love to dance.

What’s the vision for your career and what goals will help you meet that end? You can and should be constantly reassessing these things. Let the summer be an opportunity to truly tune into your intuition and be honest with yourself about your progress and future goals.

2. Incorporate activity in fun ways. 

Dancers spend a lot of time indoors (I’m convinced it’s part of why we’re able to maintain a youthful appearance — ha!), so allow yourself to get more outside time when you can. Fill your outside time with fun activities and connection.

Go on walks with family, friends, or pets. Give your body some therapeutic movement by swimming and enjoying time in water. Ride bikes or roller blade and generally enjoy movement you might not have the opportunity for when you’re in season.

3. Let food be easy.

Dancing for hours a day can disconnect you from your hunger and fullness cues. Time off is an opportunity to reconnect. Resist the temptation to alter your intake — dancers often assume you need less food in the off season, which can lead to undereating. 

Enjoy lots of fresh, in-season food and work to stay connected to what your body is telling you. If you struggle to eat 3 meals a day when dancing full-time, let the summer be an opportunity to build that consistency into your eating plan.

For a post on food adjustments for summer intensives and summer layoffs, click here.

Dancing, cross-training, self-care.

4. Dance and cross-train with balance and intention.

You may need some time with no dancing. Be aware of how much time you take off and how you plan to build back up. It is worth thinking through your summer plan and dance schedule. You want to take the time you need to reignite your inspiration, but you don’t want to take so much time that you risk getting injured once you return.

To gain more insights on the science behind this balance, I contacted The Dance Scientist, Maria Haralambis. She said:

“This is a really important balance for dancers to find and it can be very hard to fine-tune, which is why relative rest is recommended more than full rest. Even if a short period of time is taken off, this can increase the time it takes to build up your previous fitness levels. 

Instead, relative rest is participating in some sort of modified activity so that you can maintain your fitness levels. Then when you return to dance, you’ll be safer and more efficient at your movements because it won’t be as big of a shock to your body systems.¹

5. Prioritize self-care, self-love, and body acceptance.

Use your extra free time to really connect to activities that will enhance your life and dancing. Have you wanted to try meditation or dry brushing for a while? Take the time to explore those positive habits. 

If you’d like to improve your experience of your body, give this daily body image booster a try. Time away from the mirror can be such a benefit to body image. Implementing additional practices to help you shift your self-perception will allow your return to the studio to be less jarring.

View time off as an opportunity.

Instead of leaning into the fear and uncertainty of time off, try to view it as an opportunity. Let it be a catalyst for personal growth and development. If you struggled throughout your season with food, body image, or balance, seek support in the off season. I’ve heard from so many dancers recently who said they didn’t have time to reach out during the season. If that’s you, let’s connect. Coaching in the summer months is a great way to lay a positive foundation and groundwork for a more balanced, happier, more successful dance experience. 

Click here and schedule a chat.

1. Thistle, B., Finn, H., & HDC. (2015). The art of rest: Dance your way to wellness.

The post Dance Schedule Changes in Summer appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Throughout your Nutcracker run, I hope you have been prioritizing adequate fuel and meeting your personal needs. It can be a time of restriction — sometimes intentional, sometimes not because of the busy schedule and lack of free time for meal preparation and planning.

If you’ve been underfueling, the holidays can be a time to regain balance. This would mean eating more, incorporating more variety (cookies too), and giving your body and mind lots of rest.

Ask yourself if your current approach is balanced.

At The Whole Dancer, we’re all about self-reflection to build self-trust and honesty. So ask yourself important questions and commit to answering honestly. The truth is, there may be times when you’re not able to be honest with yourself; that’s when it’s time to meet with a support person.

Have you been cutting back on meals or snacks lately? Have you gotten into a headspace where you’ve eliminated foods or food groups? Do you experience guilt or fear around the sweets and treats of the season?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, the next thing to ask yourself is why? 

Prioritizing high-quality fuel should not mean being restrictive.

It’s true — the food you eat gets broken down and metabolized and used by your body as building blocks for new cells, muscle tissue, and energy to propel your body and dancing forward. A good food goal for most dancers is to increase variety! This is how you’ll ensure you’re covering your nutrient bases.

This doesn’t mean your body has no use for less-nutrient-dense food. The cakes, cookies, and treats provide you with energy, and beyond that, they are part of the joy in life. You might decide that eating cookies every day feels balanced to you. That might mean having a cookie with a friend for afternoon tea. Other times it might mean enjoying homemade cookies with high-quality ingredients (think oats, tahini, nuts, seeds, etc.). 

Discover balance for yourself.

What I know works for dancers is experimenting and exploring to discover what a balanced approach to these foods means for you. Your personal balance will look nothing like balance for the dancer next to you, and that’s OK. 

Some dancers may find they feel better when avoiding refined sugar and using coconut sugar or mashed bananas as sweetener. You won’t know what feels best to you unless you experiment and stay honest with yourself.

Allow yourself to enjoy the holidays so you go into auditions from a place of joy.

To be fully present during the holidays means enjoying the food that brings you happy feelings. For me, balance with holiday treats means enjoying a couple bites of all the foods I enjoy. That may or may not feel balanced for you.

You may need the opportunity of bigger holiday meals to replenish depleted nutrient stores from your busy performing season. Adequate intake will help you build strength and avoid injury.

Connecting with family and friends can fill up your cup, and you can harness that joy and bring it into audition season. If you have moments of stress looking forward to auditions, ask yourself, How can I make this a more joyful, easy process?

Be aware of the messages you take in.

If you’ll be auditioning in the coming months, you have to stay aware of where you are mentally and the messages you’re allowing into your space. This post was actually inspired by a very damaging article I read on a similar subject. The dietitian who wrote the article had extreme, restrictive, and in my opinion unhealthy advice when it comes to food quality and choices.

When you read nutrition, mindset, wellness, or “support” articles (and I put support in quotes because the article I read was not, in my opinion, supportive), ask yourself: Is this helpful or hurtful for me personally?

You should curate your social media feeds to only include things that allow you to reflect and grow. Unfollow or hide the accounts that put you in a state of self-doubt. Allow yourself to move on from articles or posts that don’t serve you.

Bringing your best for auditions isn’t just about one thing.

It’s not just about food and cross-training. To bring your best to auditions, it’s about mindset, mental wellness, planning, support, calm energy, self-care, body image resilience, and anything else that you need to perform from a place of self-trust.

To take action on each of those areas, write them down and consider which area needs your attention the most. Then, create some actions that might help you improve. For example, if you feel like self-care is an area of opportunity for you, pick a few things that will help you progress in that area (dry brushing, taking a bath, 5 minutes to yourself) and decide how you’ll prioritize your action steps.
If you’re looking for a way to start off 2023 from a place of balance and put your health and best dancing at the forefront, join me for the Finding Balance Challenge. Sign up here.

The post Prioritize Your Health for Auditions Now and Still Enjoy the Holidays appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

About the program…

The program was re-launched in 2021-2022 a time when we could prioritize ambassador relationships. It is mutually beneficial, meaning that you serve The Whole Dancer community as well as receiving benefits in return that we hope will serve your life and dancing. If you’d like to learn more about past ambassadors, click here.

***IMPORTANT*** You do not have to be a “perfect” example of balance at all times. Being your authentic self, striving towards health and wellness is the most valuable representation we could ask for at The Whole Dancer.

The Role:

As an ambassador, you will positively represent The Whole Dancer in a variety of ways, including…

• Posting, reposting, and sharing TWD content on Instagram
• Posting original reels on Instagram, in collaboration with TWD, that exemplifies what it means to be a Whole Dancer
• Participating in IGTV interviews as desired
• Helping to expand the Whole Dancer Community through engagement with your community!

Ambassador Perks:

As an Ambassador for the 2023-2024 year, you will receive the following as a thank you…

• A combination of free group or 1:1 coaching calls throughout your ambassador year.
• Free access to all future paid workshops.
• Program and coaching discounts and VIP enrollment.
• Two gift packages during your Ambassador year.

 Click here to apply. 

DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted now through January 5th, 2023 at 11:59pm EST!  Click here to apply. 

The post The Whole Dancer Ambassador Search!! appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Avoid these 5 common audition season mistakes! Take a proactive approach to your dance goals and go into this potentially stressful time with ease and strategy. It can in fact be a fun and positive experience!!

I am so honored as always to collaborate with the incomparable Kathryn Morgan. In this video, Katie and I talk through 5 common audition mistakes for you to avoid. These are relevant whether you’re auditioning for companies or summer intensives.

Time Stamps

1. 1:38 – Limiting yourself

2. 5:42 – Not following exact directions

3. 7:45 – Underfueling

4. 10:52 – Cutting/splicing too much

5. 13:42 – Not focusing on mindset

6. 16:26 – Exciting announcement!

Free Audition Success Workshop

Coming up on November 20th at 8:30pm EST I’m hosting a free audition success workshop. The workshop will help you go into audition season feeling confident that you will get the job!!

Sign up here: https://www.thewholedancer.com/audition-success

The post 5 Common Audition Mistakes appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

The dance world has come together in a lot of ways to show support for the people of Ukraine. Danspiration Designs founder Almiria has teamed up with some incredible dance brands to offer a way for more people to donate and get involved. 

Almiria shared, “since the start of the war in Ukraine, I have asked myself what I can do to help. Together with Ukrainian graphic designer Olga, who assists my small dance business, we created the artwork ‘Prayer’. I decided to donate a canvas artwork of Prayer for a fundraiser for Ukrainians in need, but it still seemed like such a small thing to do. 

So I reached out to other dance brands to find out if they would be interested in joining us and the response was incredible! Fifteen companies responded, offering to sponsor prizes for our fundraiser.”

Through the fundraiser, there are now 2 grand prizes with a total value of over $900. All of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross, to assist Ukrainians in desperate need and provide life-saving supplies: https://redcross.org.ua/en/

Donations will be used to reach people in urgent need, including:

• Providing food, first aid, clean water, shelter support, warm clothing, hygiene parcels and medicines.
• Supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities.
• Supporting firefighters and civil protection units.
• Training people in life-saving first aid.
• Helping families stay in contact with each other.

How to enter:

Visit www.dancespiration.store and buy your tickets ($2 each) 

Details

• Tickets are just $2 each
• Entries close on March 18, 2022 at 11:59pm EST
• The winner will be announced on March 20th via email and social media.
• We will update our website and social media with the amount donated after our fundraiser closes (21 March).

Brands contributing to the fundraiser:

A Ballet Education

AK Dancewear

Broche Ballet

Covet Dance

Dancespiration Designs

Dot 2 Dance

Foi and Jeté

Foxy’s Leotards

Fullout Dancewear

Lucky Leo Dancewear

My Ballet Box

New Generation Activewear

Oh La La Dancewear UK

Plum Practicewear

Salute Leos

SSB Style

About Dancespiration Designs

Dancespiration Designs is a small, ethically run dance apparel and gifts company run by ballet teacher Almiria.

At Dancespiration Designs, they believe in slow fashion. Slow fashion is the opposite of cheap, mass-produced fast-fashion. The majority of which ends up in landfills, often completely unworn. At Danspiration Designs they take a different approach. 

When you place your order, it’s printed especially for you, so nothing is wasted. No textiles, ink, packaging, or transportation costs are wasted for unused fashion! They also use ethical, sweatshop-free suppliers and their printers use ecologically friendly, water-based inks. They are still on the journey of improving their packaging to be even more eco-friendly. Some items already ship in 100% biodegradable packaging.

The post A Way for Dancers to Support the People of Ukraine appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Shop Small, Shop Local

I was part of the Boston dance scene for over 10 years. I can tell you with confidence that Teddy’s shoes is a can’t miss landmark. Located in the heart of Central Square, Cambridge next to The Dance Complex, Teddy’s has everything. From personal experience I can say they’re especially helpful when you show up for class and realize you forgot your shoes!

This Holiday Season we wanted to highlight some small dance stores that could use your support. Shopping small is more important now than ever. These stores breathe extra life into the dance industry supporting you in feeling your best in the studio and on stage – this speaks to The Whole Dancer mission in a big way!

In this post we’ll also share some of our favorite online dance brands and a MEGA Holiday Giveaway where you can win a prize package valued at over $500. Keep reading for the details and to enter.

Teddy’s Shoes Cambridge , MA

We spoke with Steven Adelson owner of Teddy’s Shoes to hear more about his experience and contributions to the dance community…

“We are a family owned shoe store that specializes in dance supplies, family footwear, hats and more. The store opened in 1957 and has suffered greatly since the pandemic began in March.  I love taking care of my customers, speaking different languages and being my own boss. “

Steven highlighted some of the amazing benefits of shopping small, “We have a massive inventory where people can come in, try things on and be fitted properly. We also offer free curbside pickup and local delivery. “

We asked, what are some of your favorite and most popular holiday gifts for dancers? “The warm-up booties are quite popular. Also little girl’s skirted leotards are so cute.” Steven adds, “We have a great website, www.teddyshoes.com where people can see lots of our products. We also have a Go Fund Me campaign — Keep 62 Year Old Business — Teddy Shoes Alive http://gf.me/u/xsfbd6“

Owner of Opening Night in Columbus, Ohio Chris Ferrante also shared some great insights into the value of shopping with small dance retailers…

Opening Night Columbus, Ohio

“By far, my favorite part of owning a dance supply store is seeing the wonderment in a new dancer’s face when they put on that first pair of ballet or tap shoes.  Unfortunately I do more administrative work than fitting shoes nowadays, but I still get the ‘feels’ when my staff has a little one who is beaming from ear to ear and can’t wait to start dance class.“

He said, shopping small this holiday season means you get, “personal experience of shopping in a store and being able to try and feel the products is irreplaceable. That is especially important when it comes to fitting shoes and crucial when it comes to pointe shoes.  In addition, we employ dancers, dance teachers, and dance moms who all live, shop and pay taxes in our community so you are helping our local economy.”

If you need a gift for a dancer, Chris says how about, “Gift Cards, Warm Up Booties, Dance Themed Charms, Legwarmers, Stuffed Animals, Dance Bags…”

Finally, Chris hopes you see, “…that during this economic downturn for the dance industry that people realize that we can’t survive without their patronage.  We’ve been here for 30 years, servicing the dance community, promoting their shows, providing them with quality products and service and it’s more important than ever that the dance studios and dance stores work together to assure we’re all here for another 30 years.  If not, where are you going to go to see your 3 year old pointe their toes for the first time in the mirror or hear the first sound of a tap shoe?–“
Opening Night! Distinctive Dancewear

www.dancewearcolumbus.com

Finally, here’s what Jane’s Dance Boutique owner Jane had to share…

Jane’s Dance Boutique Stuart, FL

“I opened my store about 11 years ago after seeing a need on the Treasure Coast. We have a large dance community, with lots of studios, theatre programs, and twirlers. My favorite part of owning a dance supply store is finding and fitting a dancer for the right pointe shoe. I enjoy going to all the shows and watching the girls develop and grow as dancers and performers. I get to be a part of their journey, it’s rewarding.”

As far as benefits to shopping small, Jane says…
“The benefits of holiday shopping local versus going through an online dance retailer is the experience we provide.  I get to be a process of the journey, I see the changes the dancers and their feet go through to aid in the fitting process. As a small business I get to employ some of the young dancers that have shopped at my store.  We deliver to the studios, we can set up pop-up stores at the studios for the convenience of the parents.

We have studio programs we offer to the studios therefore, studios and parents receive discounts and rewards along the way. Our store can be just as competitive as the online retailer and at the same time the customers are also giving back to the community in which they live. I will get parents and dancers to assist in what they would like to see me carry in the store.

I have decorating contests for pointe shoes and nutcrackers that I display in the store so the dancers can see them throughout the dance journey. It’s like being a part of a larger dance community. I have even had a customer call me ‘doctor Jane’ after fixing problems they may be experiencing. When dancers come in for their first pointe shoe fitting I take a picture and hang it on the wall. After a year the pictures came down and we made a tutu on a mannequin that displays all the girls in their pointe shoes. Everyone loves it and they look for their friends. Again, it’s a community.”

Here are Jane’s gift ideas for dancers, “Some of the most popular gifts for dancers that we sell are warm-up booties, Nutcracker/Dancer T-shirts, and ornaments. We also sell leotards, and work out items, resistance bands, foot stretchers, balance boards and turn boards.”

Commit to doing at least some of your Holiday shopping with the local dance stores near you. If you’re not doing your shopping in person, go online and shop with Teddy’s Shoes, Opening Night in Columbus or Jane’s Dance Boutique. Find a way to have a positive impact on small dance businesses. For more online dance shopping, check out some of our favorite online dance brands AND enter our 2020 Holiday Giveaway.

The Whole Dancer MEGA Holiday Giveaway!

Our biggest giveaway ever…

This giveaway will run through December 20, 2020. The winner will be announced on Instagram and contacted via DM on December 21, 2020. ONE verrrry lucky winner will win all prizes.

How to Enter:

FIRST: Click Here to sign up for The Whole Dancer email list.

SECOND: Follow @thewholedancer and each of these amazing brands on Instagram…

@verariaofficial

@cloudandvictory

@rubiawear

@label.dancewear

@perfectfitpointe

@rezonanceathletics

@on.pointe.pilates

@splendid.spoon

@getgolden

@belleforceactive

Third: Tag a friend in the comments of this post on The Whole Dancer Instagram…

BONUS ENTRIES:

Tag additional friends.

Share the giveaway post to your stories.

The winner must be following all brands and be on The Whole Dancer email list on 12/20 to qualify. You must reside within the continental US and be 18 or older to enter (a parent may enter for you). This giveaway is not in any way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. Brand pictures do not represent prizes – see details below for prize info. Prizes valued at over $500.

Prize Info…

Veraria Notebook: 

The Notebook

Veraria Notebooks are the perfect eco-friendly luxury notebook for jotting down rehearsal notes, corrections, meal prep ideas, and self-care routines or use it as a journal! Veraria prioritizes “making a notebook worthy of your every word” which makes it the perfect notebook for valuing your worth as a human and a dancer. 

Cloud and Victory Every Body Dance Water Bottle:

The Whole Dancer is a longtime fan of Cloud & Victory. All of C&V’s products are thoughtfully and whimsically designed while also putting an emphasis on sustainability and joy. “No matter who you are, you deserve to feel good when dancing!” Perfectly aligned with The Whole Dancer Mission! 

RubiaWear Shorty Legwarmers: 

RubiaWear is just one of the many woman-dancer owned brands featured on The Whole Dancer Giveaway. RubiaWear prioritizes functionality AND style. These leg warmers are the perfect dancing accessories for a little extra warmth to get you through some colder dancing months! 

Label Dancewear $80 Giftcard: 

Label Dancewear creates the most flattering leotards for feeling confident in classes and rehearsals. Label Dancewear’s mission to “inspire artists everywhere to celebrate the beauty of our differences through the art of dance.” 

Not only does Label Dancewear donate a portion of their proceeds to keeping the arts in schools, but this company prioritizes People, Planet, and Product. 

PerfectFit Inserts Kit: 

PerfectFit Inserts is one of the most empowering products for dancers on the market right now. The PerfectFit Inserts allow you to embrace your uniqueness while also removing painful and damaging pressure points while dancing on pointe. PerfectFit Inserts allow you more control and CONFIDENCE in your dancing- couple this with your positive healthy mindset and you are on your way to unstoppable. 

Resonance Athletics:

Urban Mesh Camo Leotard

Resonance Athletics prioritizes functionality, style, AND sustainability- the complete package. So excited to share Resonance Athletics especially after featuring Betsy McBride (Co-Owner) on The Whole Dancer blog in June 2020.

On Pointe Pilates: 

Private Lesson

On Pointe Pilates is a strength and flexibility cross-training method for dancers created by Khayla Jordan, a professional dancer and Pilates instructor based in Los Angeles. Informed by growing dance medicine research, the method aims to help dancers improve performance and prevent injury.

Splendid Spoon Delivery: 

Splendid Spoon

 Splendid Spoon is perfect for busy dancers to fuel their bodies with plant-based, ready-to-eat delicious entrees and smoothies. When you’re juggling class, rehearsal, cross-training and life in general, it can leave you without the time to make healthy meal prep choices. This is where Splendid Spoon comes in! Splendid Spoon takes the work out of grocery shopping, prepping, and planning. 

Fresh Skincare:

Rose Hydration Set

A lovely skincare routine is a fabulous form of self-care which we’re totally in favor of at The Whole Dancer. Through the dry Winter months, use this fresh skincare Rose Hydration Set to keep your skin happy and your mind at ease.

Get Golden:

Box of 12

Jenelle Manzi, a veteran New York City Ballet dancer, spent many years of her career on the sidelines battling injuries and food allergies…So, she started creating delicious recipes that gave her the energy she craved, while cultivating a strong, positive community that gave her the boost she was looking for. These Get Golden bars are seriously delicious and exceptionally nutritious. Our favorite combo.

Belle Force:

With Love Top and a Big Blush Bow

What could possibly be better than a ballet inspired fitness brand? The With Love top is about doing everything from the heart, with the best intentions. with love. Owner Kelsey brings the ballet aesthetic to her creations resulting in truly beautiful pieces.

Each of these brands is dynamic in it’s own way. Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts or for yourself, think about the impact of your dollar. Wishing you peace, love and lots of joy this Holiday Season! xo, Jess

The post Holiday Gift Guide + Giveaway for Dancers appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

Since the start of The Whole Dancer we’ve had a Holiday Giveaway and as The Whole Dancer has grown, so has the giveaway!! This year it’s the biggest yet with prizes from some of our favorite dance brands. You can enter the giveaway through Tuesday, December 18, 2018 and winners will be chosen and notified by the 20th!!

Each of these brands is inspired by The Whole Dancer focus on health, positive mindset and positive body image and they hope to support you in feeling your best as you pursue dance. The giveaway is open to dancers 18 and older (if you’re under 18 a parent can enter for you)!! Good luck! XO, Jess

Scroll to the bottom to enter – note : There are 2 separate entry forms 1 for the girls and one for the guys. Though everyone is welcome to enter both!

Eleve Dancewear

Former Kansas City Ballet Dancer Lisa Choules started making leotards for herself when she wasn’t satisfied with the leotard options available.  Cue the creation of Eleve Dancewear. Ms. Choules creates leotards that fit well, inspire creativity, and make you feel confident stepping into the studio.

Eleve has one of the largest collections of colors, prints (so many floral prints), and mesh fabrics available to create your dream leotard.

• One follower of The Whole Dancer will win a $100 gift certificate to create their own custom Eleve leotard!!

You can visit their website elevedancewear.com or on Instagram @elevedancewear and @eleveboutique to see all of their Ready-to-Wear and Custom leotard options (as well as skirts).

Taylored Dancewear

The Whole Dancer Inter, Jessie found Taylored Dancewear on Instagram through a friend and she was leotard smitten (it proved that like most dancers she has a leotard addiction). Created in 2016 by Alyssa Taylor, Taylored Dancewear creates leotards with fun unique prints such as rainbows, comic book exclamations (like KAPOW!), elephants, floral, and more. She currently has limited holiday prints of snowmen, peppermint, black lace, and glitter mesh.

• One follower of The Whole Dancer will win a custom leotard from Taylored Dancewear.

You can find Taylored Dancewear on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TayloredDancewear

or on Instagram @tayloreddancewear.

Deca Design Co.

Dancer Erin Quigley designs gorgeous earrings available on Etsy. Her creations are creative without being over the top and the pair of earrings we’re giving away are the perfect size for auditions.

• One follower of The Whole Dancer will win a pair of Katie Small Hoops designed to her specifications.

You can find Deca Design Co. on Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DecaDesignCo

Or on Instagram @decadesignco

Solu

In 2017, Pacific Northwest Ballet power couple Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz created Solu. The goal of Solu is to create dancewear that dancers can feel balanced, work hard, and be positive in. They currently offer five leotard styles, unisex tights, vitality shirt (a scoop neck shirt you can wear three different ways), and a warm-up jacket. You know it’s a smash hit when PNB dancers are showing off their Solu in rehearsal photos and videos on Instagram.

• One follower of The Whole Dancer will win a Color Block Leotard (pictured above) in the size of their choice.  

You can visit their website at wearsolu.com or on Instagram @wearsolu to see their dancewear options.

Apolla Performance Wear

We are very excited to have Apolla Performance Wear be a part of our giveaway again. Apolla Performance Wear has become the go to sock in the dance world.  The Whole Dancer did a review of their shocks earlier this year: Check it out here!

“Apolla Shocks are the only footwear for dancers that provides Arch support, Ankle stability, energy Absorption (our 3 A’s) and our customizable traction. Our targeted compression for key insertion points of the feet help to lift, support, and remove inflammation.”

They now offer five different types of shocks and recently released their legwarmer with compression: the K-Warmer.

• One follower of The Whole Dancer will win a pair of shocks and a mesh bag from Apolla Performance Wear.

You can visit their website at apollaperformance.com or on Instagram @apollaperformance to see all of their shock options.

Yumiko

Created in 2002 by Yumiko Takashima, Yumiko Dancewear is the dancewear company that started the customizable leotard sensation. They have boutiques in New York City, Berlin, and Tokyo, as well as a worldwide network of YumiGirls and YumiGuys.

In September, they released two new leotard designs: the Daria and the Zoe, as well as legwarmers. The New York and Berlin boutiques now offer a color bar, samples of every fabric available to create a better leotard customization experience.

• One follower of The Whole Dancer will win a Yumiko Holiday Collection Leotard in the size of their choice and a Yumiko limited edition Happy Holidays Tote.

You can visit their website at yumiko.com or on Instagram @yumiko

Cloud & Victory

I had the pleasure of connecting with Min of Cloud & Victory for a little interview, check that out here. This opportunity to connect took me from a fan of Cloud & Victory to a die hard. There’s a positive message and some needed levity for the ballet world.

• Min has graciously provided an “I like big battus” T for one of the winners of our holiday giveaway!!

Find C&V online here : https://www.cloudandvictory.com/ or on instagram @cloudandvictory

ENTER TO WIN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For the giveaway I didn’t want the guys to feel left out. So I got very excited when I found Boys Dance Too. It’s an online dancewear retailer that focuses on menswear. It has several brands such as Body Wrappers, Capezio, M Stevens and more.

• One giveaway winner will receive their Boys Dance Too Black dance bag. You can follow them on Instagram @boysdancetoo or check out their website www.boysdancetoo.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Holiday Giveaway 2018 from The Whole Dancer appeared first on The Whole Dancer.