Does anyone know where February went? I saw it coming, but then it seems to have come and gone while I was in the other room or something. Or more likely while I was busy learning a new style of dance, and writing and managing my beta release of the Solo Practice Guide. It seems a little rude to not say hi to me, but whatever, hello to March!
Tag: ballroom blog
Get a Sneak Peek at the Solo Practice Guide for Ballroom Dancing!
Hey dancers!
I get a little impatient when it comes to something I’m excited about. I want it all to happen NOW! If I could just beam the Solo Practice Guide directly from my head to yours, I would. Just so you could get it faster.
Until technology catches up with me, I thought I would give you another taste of what’s coming. Maybe the idea of the Solo Practice Guide sounds good to you, but you’re still not sure it’s something that would be useful for you in particular.
So I thought I’d show you what’s in the Guide by giving you the chapter outline. Then you can see exactly what topic(s) will be covered. While I was at it, I figured heck, I’ll give you a list of some of the concerns I’m making sure to address AND an excerpt from Chapter 1. Cool?
Click here to get a sneak peek at the Solo Practice Guide.
Oh, one more thing! I wanted to make sure you saw the Facebook livestream I did yesterday with a special guest – Teacher! I had shared on social media that I get super self-conscious when I do my solo practice at the studio and other dancers are around. A bunch of people commented that they felt the same way, especially when their own teacher was in the studio. So I asked Teacher if he would offer some insight and advice to everyone on how to deal with that. What he gave was awesome and super valuable!
So if you didn’t catch it already, check out our livestream video for tips on practicing in front of other dancers.
Ok, I feel like I’m giving you a lot right now. Not too much at once I hope! Don’t worry, if/when you join the beta group, we’ll be going through the Guide together one chapter at a time.
Heads up, there are only 3 spots left, and filled or not, the beta group is closing this Saturday, February 3 at 11:59pm.
EDIT: The beta group sold out a day early, I couldn’t believe it! But don’t worry, if you’d still like to have the chance to get early access to the Solo Practice Guide, let me know by putting your name in for the launch team.
Click here to call dibs on a launch team spot.
If I stare at the screen long enough, the words will come.
And those were the words that came. I think I was only staring for about 15 minutes.
My creative juices are running dry a bit this weekend, but I still wanted to check in with you. We’re coming up on the end of January, and it’s hard to believe how much has been put into motion in just four weeks.
Slay All Day with Enthusiasm
Hello dancers!
I have been PRODUCTIVE the last two days and it’s feeling really good. First, I had a double lesson (meaning 1.5 hours instead of 45 minutes) on Friday after work. It wasn’t extra; Teacher had asked if we could reschedule our usual Wednesday lesson. I like having a double lesson once in awhile because sometimes 45 minutes is just not enough time. You start getting deep into something and just as you feel you’re making some real progress, time’s up!
Setting Competition Goals
A new year brings a new ballroom competition season with it. “Season” is a bit of a misnomer because there is always a competition happening somewhere, but in my corner of the ballroom world, people seem to take some time off after the Holiday Dance Classic at the beginning of December and then come back with new goals in January.
2017 Reflections
2018 is coming up fast, and like every other blogger on the world wide web, I’m reflecting on the past year and sharing my thoughts with you. Hope you don’t mind!
Tis the Season to Give Thanks
In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I’m doing an Instagram series giving thanks for what ballroom dance has done for me!
This time of year has become very materialistic. Most retailers don’t even acknowledge Thanksgiving anymore, skipping ahead to Christmas because that is where the profits are made. A coworker who was born and raised in another country commented the other day that it’s so odd to her that this country created this holiday and now we practically ignore it.
Personally, I like to give each holiday in this season its due. So follow me on Instagram (@thegirlwiththetreetattoo) for the next seven days to find out some of the reasons why I’m grateful for ballroom dance. Hint: NONE of the things I’m grateful for can be bought in a store!
What are you grateful for?
Mastering My Brand – Weekend Workshop Reflections
Howdy dancers! I hope the week is treating you well. My week certainly is. I took the day off today after getting home yesterday from a weekend workshop in Scottsdale, Arizona. No, it wasn’t a dance workshop (I know, what else could it be??).
Repost – Falling for the Illusion
I am WAY behind in reading other ballroom dancers’ blogs, but I finally made it to this one and felt compelled to share it. This dancer makes the great point that what you see is not always what you do, and sometimes that can even lead to “dangerous” dancing when an inexperienced lead tries to replicate the illusion instead of the actual trick behind an advanced dance move.
Check it out!
Dance is an illusion. That back-breaking dip isn’t so back-breaking as it is knee-bending and core-crunching. That light and lithe follow being lifted over her lead’s head is really a compact case of pure muscle. I once told a pro friend of mine how jealous I was that all her steps were always so clean […]
Continue reading -> Falling for the Illusion — A Step In Quarter Time
Mental Block
You know that feeling when you think you’ve got something? You understand a concept more or less. But for some reason, the puzzle pieces aren’t completely fitting together. You can see the picture, but it’s not 100% clear. You can’t put your finger on it, but there’s a disconnect somewhere.
The Girl with the Tree Tattoo 