DIS Dancers?

[Cruisin]

Oh, I have a question for you guys!

I love buying and wearing leotards for ballet class, I just ordered this one from Mirella:

But in jazz class I always feel out of place with my leotard! I see other women in bra tops, leggings, shorts, tank tops, etc. but I feel somewhat self conscious in that sort of thing!

What do y'all wear to class?

Any recommendations for dancewear that you really like?

Well I know that nobody would want to see ME dancing in that leotard.

But if you like it and feel comfortable in it, then I say go for it.

I'm more a shorts and tshirt type of girl

 

[Cruisin]

Nobody tell my doctor but I went back to tap class this morning.

I had major surgery 3 weeks ago and am supposed to be off for 6 weeks, although the doctor told me I should at least wait until week 4 before I went back to dance.

Couldn't do it though.

I was dancing with beginners, so it wasn't fancy and I was careful not to jump or overdo it.

I think that I will go back to hip hop next week too. Slow and easy of course.

 

[PrincessV]

Oh, oh, oh - I've found my people! It's always so good to find folks who "get it", right?

Former ballerina, here. Started in pre-school and worked like crazy toward a career in the ballet until a torn Achilles took me down for months in late high school. It took forever to heal (and still gives me problems) and I found out about other things in life... like sleepovers, and afternoons at the movies, and boys, and sports... Couple those revelations with the effort it takes to get back in shape after months off, and realizing I'd never grow more than the 5'1" I hit in 8th grade, and I ended the journey.

But the barre is always there; I haven't taken a real class in ages, but I give myself class at home, along with the NYCB Workout which I can't recommend enough!

Some years ago, I took up swing dancing, lindy hop in particular. Um, I thought ballet was the foundation for all dance, lol! It did NOTHING good for swing dancing. Following a lead was hard enough, but trying to stay loose and not pulled-up was so hard.

And I so understand what some of you have said - at nearly 40 now, my feet ache if the temperature drops below 75, there's not much cartilage left in my knees, and I can't get an arabesque above horizontal to save my life!

 

[Darsa]

Oh, how exciting!!! You will have so much fun! Have you gotten shoes or anything yet? I'm sure your DD will love to help you shop!

We will be shopping for shoes for me in early August; DD's already counting down I'm excited to try; I've never had much rhythm, but maybe it's something that can be beaten into my head! Luckily, DD's best friend's mom dances in the same class, as do some other moms from her dance class, so at least I'll know people. And Mr. Scott is an AMAZING person and an even better dancer!

I couldn't ever wear a leotard with this baby-belly still left over; I think even if I was skinny I'd feel self-concious. I figure I'll start with my gym clothes, and see where that gets me.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Former dancer checking in. I started seriously at 15 and danced up until I had my daughter and then 2 years after she was born. I don't dance anymore (although I want to). In senior year of high school I ditched school to audition for IN LIVING COLOR . I started with modern dance (ala Paul Taylor and Martha Graham) then ballet then moved onto Jazz which is my true love.

I was in a few recitals as a teen but as an adult I danced in MANY performances. My feet are all messed up which is why I don't dance anymore. My body is just shot.

 

[autumnpalm]

Well I know that nobody would want to see ME dancing in that leotard.

But if you like it and feel comfortable in it, then I say go for it.

I'm more a shorts and tshirt type of girl

Do you just wear regular cotton tees? I feel like my movement is restricted in them sometimes, or I get too darn hot!

Nobody tell my doctor but I went back to tap class this morning.

I had major surgery 3 weeks ago and am supposed to be off for 6 weeks, although the doctor told me I should at least wait until week 4 before I went back to dance.

Couldn't do it though.

I was dancing with beginners, so it wasn't fancy and I was careful not to jump or overdo it.

I think that I will go back to hip hop next week too. Slow and easy of course.

Oh my, I hope you are feeling better, Cruisin'. I know the feeling of not being able to stay away, though. I get that ants-in-my-pants feeling quite quickly!

Oh, oh, oh - I've found my people! It's always so good to find folks who "get it", right?

Former ballerina, here. Started in pre-school and worked like crazy toward a career in the ballet until a torn Achilles took me down for months in late high school. It took forever to heal (and still gives me problems) and I found out about other things in life... like sleepovers, and afternoons at the movies, and boys, and sports... Couple those revelations with the effort it takes to get back in shape after months off, and realizing I'd never grow more than the 5'1" I hit in 8th grade, and I ended the journey.

But the barre is always there; I haven't taken a real class in ages, but I give myself class at home, along with the NYCB Workout which I can't recommend enough!

Some years ago, I took up swing dancing, lindy hop in particular. Um, I thought ballet was the foundation for all dance, lol! It did NOTHING good for swing dancing. Following a lead was hard enough, but trying to stay loose and not pulled-up was so hard.

And I so understand what some of you have said - at nearly 40 now, my feet ache if the temperature drops below 75, there's not much cartilage left in my knees, and I can't get an arabesque above horizontal to save my life!

I completely agree- I took one salsa class with a friend that was a free introductory lesson and I felt totally clueless!!! So much fun though! I would like to try the NYCB workout for my days off... I'll have to check out Amazon!

We will be shopping for shoes for me in early August; DD's already counting down I'm excited to try; I've never had much rhythm, but maybe it's something that can be beaten into my head! Luckily, DD's best friend's mom dances in the same class, as do some other moms from her dance class, so at least I'll know people. And Mr. Scott is an AMAZING person and an even better dancer!

I couldn't ever wear a leotard with this baby-belly still left over; I think even if I was skinny I'd feel self-concious. I figure I'll start with my gym clothes, and see where that gets me.

Teachers are so important! I can't take classes from teachers I don't like. It's far too discouraging! I had my share of old school harsh teachers when I was young and while I don't mind critiques, I like an encouraging, positive environment.

Wearing a leotard doesn't bother me because it covers my tummy... it's the bra tops and belly tops I can't do! My body is still young and I haven't had any kids but I still feel very self conscious and can't concentrate on the dancing. It's so important to have something you feel comfortable in!

Former dancer checking in. I started seriously at 15 and danced up until I had my daughter and then 2 years after she was born. I don't dance anymore (although I want to). In senior year of high school I ditched school to audition for IN LIVING COLOR . I started with modern dance (ala Paul Taylor and Martha Graham) then ballet then moved onto Jazz which is my true love.

I was in a few recitals as a teen but as an adult I danced in MANY performances. My feet are all messed up which is why I don't dance anymore. My body is just shot.

Hi, NY Disney fan! I'm so sorry to hear about your injuries, that must be very frustrating. Do you watch much dance? I'm guessing from your user name that you are from New York city? I would loooove to live there close to so many amazing performances!!

So. Anyone other than Cruisin' taking class this week? Or have any plans coming up for the weekend?

 

[autumnpalm]

Hee, hee! I know the feeling, girlfriend! I used to be the best turner...chaînés and piqués across the floor, ending in a perfectly balanced pose. Now, if I do more than 4 or 5, I'm dizzy and nauseous for the rest of class!

Somehow turning is the only thing that has stayed with me easily. And the strange thing was, in my teens I was a jumper and not a turner! Now jumping just kills my knees, especially in petit allegro!

Thanks! It's not to bad after you get the basics everything builds from there.

When I was a new clogger I thought it was a fun form of dance mostly done here in the south. Then I went to competition.....some of the biggest teams were from Utah. Then we went to the National Convention and there were cloggers there from everywhere.....Japan, Australia.....it was amazing.

That's so interesting! I didn't know clogging was big in other countries overseas! I grew up in a small town in Canada and clogging was pretty popular at things like county fairs and school performances. Not as much here in the city... here there are ballroom and salsa studios on every corner!

 

[NY Disney fan]

Hi, NY Disney fan! I'm so sorry to hear about your injuries, that must be very frustrating. Do you watch much dance? I'm guessing from your user name that you are from New York city? I would loooove to live there close to so many amazing performances!!

I loove to go to performances. Alivn Ailey specifically. Or just local dance studio performances.

 

[bored]

I held out hope for at least one "pole" dancer to chime in. No such lock so far!

 

[autumnpalm]

I loove to go to performances. Alivn Ailey specifically. Or just local dance studio performances.

Alvin Ailey came to Toronto a few years ago and I was dying to go but couldn't get tickets. And there are so many great studios in the NYC area, plus I love watching students dance- you can just see the passion in their eyes.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Yay! Dancer here too (can't you tell?). Danced all my life. Stopped during college, then started up again right after. Used to hate ballet, then loved it, now can't do it because of tendonitis and bursitis (kills me to get on releve). I have tapped and now, continually do African Dance (for the past 20 years).

I'm 45 and loving it! Just performed a jazz number about Bessie Smith a couple of months ago with some youngins OY! I held my own, but they did have to let out my costume a little (ok, quite a bit)

DD danced for 9 years. Now she's a musical theater kid (and gymnast).

 

[Cruisin]

Do you just wear regular cotton tees? I feel like my movement is restricted in them sometimes, or I get too darn hot!



Oh my, I hope you are feeling better, Cruisin'. I know the feeling of not being able to stay away, though. I get that ants-in-my-pants feeling quite quickly!





Anyone other than Cruisin' taking class this week? Or have any plans coming up for the weekend?

Yes, I just wear regular old cotton tshirts. Sometimes I get warm in them but I'm most comfortable in them. We have air conditioning and a ceiling fan in the studio which does help.

Thanks for asking about my health. I'm feeling great actually, or I probably wouldn't have gone back to dancing

Right now we are doing a summer session. It is much more relaxed than the normal dance season. Actually our normal dance season is pretty relaxed too No real pressure, just dancing and having fun at the same time.

 

[alisonwonderland64]

I'm a dancer too! Right now I'm just taking tap and theatre dance classes in NYC, but I've also done ballet (and a bit of pointe, but not enough to be any good at it), jazz, lyrical, and a bit of modern/contemporary--basically pretty much everything my studio offered except for hip hop...trying to do hip hop never seems to work out very well for me, haha. I really need to start dancing more again...I miss not dancing as much as I used to, it's definitely my favorite activity to do and my way of communicating a lot of things since I'm a pretty quiet person. I'd especially like to start up with ballet again, and maybe do some more choreographing (I choreographed my own tap solo for dance competitions in high school, plus some other things). If only I didn't have college keeping me busy during the school year!

 

[autumnpalm]

Yay! Dancer here too (can't you tell?). Danced all my life. Stopped during college, then started up again right after. Used to hate ballet, then loved it, now can't do it because of tendonitis and bursitis (kills me to get on releve). I have tapped and now, continually do African Dance (for the past 20 years).

I'm 45 and loving it! Just performed a jazz number about Bessie Smith a couple of months ago with some youngins OY! I held my own, but they did have to let out my costume a little (ok, quite a bit)

DD danced for 9 years. Now she's a musical theater kid (and gymnast).

Wow, that amazing you are still performing! Good for you! I would love to learn more about African dance. Do you have African ancestry or is it just something you're interested in? Do you have any Youtube clips you could maybe share of African Dance?

Yes, I just wear regular old cotton tshirts. Sometimes I get warm in them but I'm most comfortable in them. We have air conditioning and a ceiling fan in the studio which does help.

Thanks for asking about my health. I'm feeling great actually, or I probably wouldn't have gone back to dancing

Right now we are doing a summer session. It is much more relaxed than the normal dance season. Actually our normal dance season is pretty relaxed too No real pressure, just dancing and having fun at the same time.

That's exactly how I like my classes. I'm kind of slacking over the summer which is actually funny because I have way more time on my hands! But somehow with me, more time always leads to more procrastination.

I'm a dancer too! Right now I'm just taking tap and theatre dance classes in NYC, but I've also done ballet (and a bit of pointe, but not enough to be any good at it), jazz, lyrical, and a bit of modern/contemporary--basically pretty much everything my studio offered except for hip hop...trying to do hip hop never seems to work out very well for me, haha. I really need to start dancing more again...I miss not dancing as much as I used to, it's definitely my favorite activity to do and my way of communicating a lot of things since I'm a pretty quiet person. I'd especially like to start up with ballet again, and maybe do some more choreographing (I choreographed my own tap solo for dance competitions in high school, plus some other things). If only I didn't have college keeping me busy during the school year!

Hey there! Another college student! Yep, school keeps me busy too. I have to really work to keep my schedule organized... plus classes are expensive! I'm like you though, I could NEVER do hip hop. Just not "cool" enough.

Welcome!

 

[disneydance]

Teen dancer here
I've been dancing since third grade started dance to become a better gymnast in third grade(I competed up to level 9) but dance won the battle when I was in 5th grade! I started out with just a ballet class and now oh goodness I dance 6 days a week . I've danced all across the nation amd used to compete but quit competiting freshman year now adays I'm on a national performing team and we have so far performed in place like Disneyland, Silverwood and next year we will be making our east coast debut in New York City only issue is I did something to my knee the other day and it's looking like I might be out on crutches all season. The x-Ray showed something apparently but the doctor won't tell me till I get a MRI which is scheduled for next wednesday.. We had a 2 week break and go back next week but I will be going back in a knee brace and crutches I'm pretty bummed... But I do tons of types of dance!!
Ballet
Jazz
Tap
Lyrical
Musical Theatre
Irish
Hip-Hop
Acro
I'm bassically trained in every style you name it my old dance studio was on Americas got talent and made it to Vegas but was sadly eliminated

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Another dancer checking in!

I've been dancing for 27 years (since I was 2 almost 3 years old) at the same dance studio. At this point of my life, I do a duo dance with my twin sister - usually it's a Broadway-Jazz dance. During my dance peak, we both belonged to the dance company at my studio where we performed at many places including WDW, Universal Studios, the Big Red Boat, in the Bahamas, Carnegie Hall, and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Literally, dance showed me the world and I am so thankful for it.

Sadly in the last 7 years, I've had 3 total ACL reconstructions so my knees aren't what they used to be. I used to LOVE to turn and leap, but now I keep both feet on the ground. It kills me when I see young people with two good knees not taking advantage of the dance ability that they have - they have no idea what I would give for their knees.

This year, my sister and I danced to "Don't Rain on My Parade" - the "Glee" performance. After the recital was over, I had two different people who I didn't even know come over to me to tell me that we did a great job. It felt wonderful to hear that, especially after 27 years!

I would have loved to have danced professonally or gone to college to be a dance teacher but sadly my body shape is not a typical dancers shape. I will say that although I was always heavier than most of the dancers, I never once let that hold me back - as a matter of fact, I had a better switch-leap than the very thin girls. Instead of majoring in dance, I majored in professional writing (like that was so much better! ).

We'll be starting our 28th year in September and I can't wait!

 

[Schminston-Mo]

Raising my Jazz Hands! It is great to see all the dancers out there!

I took dance classes I was in elementary school and always enjoyed it. A few years ago at age 39 I decided to try taking a class through a local dance studio. I called it my "cheaper than a sports car and easier than convincing DH that we needed a handsome pool boy because we don't have a pool midlife crisis!"

For my first adult jazz class there was one old lady (me) and 3 high school girls. Even though it is was a little intimidating wearing dance clothes in a very mirrrored room with girls 20 years younger, I had a great time and even performed in the recital. Since then, I've continued to take classes and my kids have both started classes at the studio as well.

I had to laugh at one perfomance where it was a combined adult/teen hip hop dance and I realized I was about 10 years older than the next youngest performer on stage and 30 years older than the youngest girl up there!

 

[PrincessV]

only issue is I did something to my knee the other day and it's looking like I might be out on crutches all season. The x-Ray showed something apparently but the doctor won't tell me till I get a MRI which is scheduled for next wednesday.. We had a 2 week break and go back next week but I will be going back in a knee brace and crutches I'm pretty bummed...

Can an old lady give you some advice? Take care of that knee! My torn Achilles? I went back on it too soon and absolutely wrecked it. Listen to your Dr.!

Instead of majoring in dance, I majored in professional writing (like that was so much better! ).

Oh, I know what you mean... my major? Art History. Oh yeah, THAT's doing loads for my earning potential!

 

[princesspumpkin]

Wow, that amazing you are still performing! Good for you! I would love to learn more about African dance. Do you have African ancestry or is it just something you're interested in? Do you have any Youtube clips you could maybe share of African Dance?

I am of African descent, but I started taking African dance class as part of my dance training at a theater school. I hated it, and ballet, but years later I grew to love them both.

I might be able to scrounge up some footage

 

[Maridw]

Another adult dancer here. I will be 50 this year and started dancing when I was 33. I love it. I wish I had started when I was younger. I do ballet, lyrical, modern, tap and some ribbon. Don't get into the jazz because they do too much stuff that I know my body can't do.

My BFF is the owner of the dance studio I go to and she has been dancing since she was 3. She lets me do a ribbon solo each year. Her DD said to her this year, that I was the only one who could twirl 2 ribbons at one time. (This year I actually had 4 ribbons on each stick and did it to Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)

This year the week before recital I twisted my foot practicing my solo. I did a glissade tour jete and came down wrong on my foot. I went against my doctor's orders and danced in the recital. I am still recovering and the recital was on the 4th of June. Don't rush your recovery it will only slow you down.

I also tried Irish dancing for a couple years and loved it. Did both soft shoe and hard shoe in this. I actually learned how to do the clicks in hard shoe (the jumps where they brush their heels together). I couldn't get the height, but I did manage to get the click.

Our studio also has a teacher who does all different types of ethnic dances, including belly dancing. I haven't tried that yet but am thinking about it. We just got a certified Zumba teacher and classes start next week. I am going to give that a try. I need to do something to lose some weight.

I can't wait for my granddaughter to be old enough to dance.