Busy

March is one of the busiest months for me. I signed up for another competition in May, Memorial day weekend. I had a multitude of shows this month. Other warm-up stretches include just sitting on the floor with your legs out in front and stretching. Remember DON'T bounce when you stretch, it can cause little tears in the fibers of your muscles which has the ability to cause bigger problems late on. You can also take little things in your steps like being on your toes and walk around your house on your toes with proper form and technique to make your turnouts and height better over all. Or if you think you already have a perfect turnout and height then you can practice your points whether its when you kick in back or whip in front or anything and just continue to do them along with whatever step they come in. DON'T practice your entire steps when you want to work on it and make it better, work on it piece by piece and then put some pieces together, and then try it altogether. If it still doesn't work out keep trying, or ask your dance teacher if they can change your step, or a certain part in your step.

MARCH

March happens to be the busiest month out of the year for most irish dancers. Most competitions are held between the months of February and April, any shows are usually done around St. Patrick's Day, and then there is also the parades and parties that follow because of St. Patrick's Day.
I think the best in time to get in shape and practice is the month of March because usually its not freezing out and its also not super hot out. So if you wanted to you could start working out or even practicing in the sun, but remember to wear sunscreen since you don't want sunburn when competing time comes around. Some helpful tips when practicing or working out outside.
1. Wear sunscreen
2. Make sure you are on even ground if you're doing an strength training or dancing. You don't want to break or pull anything
3. Don't be afraid of falling if your're trying a new jump or anything, it happens to everyone and even better to do when you're falling onto squishy ground, snow, or grass
4. Dress for the weather
5. Warm-up properly

Bleh

This past week has been chalk full of working out, and technique perfecting, and stretching, some stretches i have been doing is going into a splits form and going as low as I can and then leaning forward with a pointed toe to stretch the thigh. Doing this stretch allows you to kick higher without falling backwards and losing your balance. Some other stretches I have been doing are frontal lunges and back lunges. Front lunges are where you bend your front leg at a 90 degree angle and then keep your other leg as straight as possible. A back lunge is when you do the exact opposite as a front lunge. These stretches also build key muscles for dancing including abs, lower back, and thighs.

Technique, Technique, Technique

As of recent, I stopped practicing again because I suffered from a concussion but I have been working on my flexibility and technique instead of my actual steps. The key to good technique, such as good posture, pointed toes, feet that are turned out is to incorporate them into your lifestyle so that when you dance it becomes almost as natural as breathing. Ways that I do this is:
 1. I walk, sit, jump, run, everything with a straight back and good posture and form.
 2. I walk, and stand with my feet always turned out properly.
 3. For pointed toes this is more difficult to incorporate, but what you can do it when you run point your toes in back and kick your butt.
 Doing these three things will not only help with technique but when it comes to competition time technical points can make a big difference and change the difficulty of a step. The few extra points kept by having good technique can make all the difference between getting a first versus a second.

DANCE!!

Dancing practice has begun. I have been okay'd to do physical activity again. I am able to get back on track and on top of everything. I am getting more flexible everyday, building endurance and stamina, building core strength and over all muscle strength. I start competing in mid-February, around Valentine's Day.
On a different note, my hope for this blog is for the people who read it that it helps them become better dancers and that I will start getting feedback about whether its helpful or not. If people want me to upload a video of the stretches in action or pictures of my dress or anything, then ask. I don't want this to become a boring blog that doesn't help anyone but myself. I hope everyone's holidays was great and that a much needed break was taken and that every has fun on New Year's Eve!
Blog again in the New Year!!!!

Doctor Fun!!!

So tomorrow, Monday December 15th, I go to see a doctor to make sure my lungs are okay for strenuous exercise. And if I get the okay, I will be back in action in no time to get back on track for the physical fitness aspect of this project. If I don't get the okay then I can't continue with the physicality of this project and I just give everyone helpful tips and help strangers with their goals. I hope someone succeeds from reading this blog. Anyways a good way to get flexible for those tight, and high kicks, turns, and whatever else is to stretch everyday. Doing each stretch for thirty seconds on each leg. Good stretches are Butterflies, you put your feet together so the bottoms of your feet are touching and then first you bring your feet as close to you as possible without taking your feet apart. Once your as close as possible, try and get your knees as close to the ground as possible. Once you're as far as you can go lean forward so that you feel the stretch but not so far that it hurts, if it starts to hurt stop stretching. That's the finished product.

Asthma Attack

Unfortunately in the past week, I have suffered from 3 asthma attacks, horrible headaches, and a glitchy computer both at school and at home. Because of my 3 asthma attacks in such a short amount of time I am unable to do any strenuous physical activity, like practicing my steps, running, or biking, but it won't stop me from doing core and leg workouts that don't impact cardio very much.
Mondays are the days where during class I look up fun and new ideas to share with everyone who reads these posts, but unfortunately, computers at school decided to not allow me to look up anything worthwhile. At home, my internet was going in and out all week, but I finally fixed it late last night and it's been working ever since. If no one knows what an asthma attack feels like, to put it simply it's like an elephant sitting on your chest, while a boa constrictor goes around all at the same time. Its scary and the after-effects are horrible. You can't exactly breathe very well for the next four-seven days and in my case for a bit longer than that since I'm still recovering from three.
My progress up until this past week was moving along well and will continue moving along after I see the doctor about my breathing. My endurance, stamina, and altogether muscle strength has gone up tremendously and my hope is that my future progress doesn't become hindered based on the minor set back I have been faced with. Currently I am still recovering from the asthma attacks but hope to be doing at least core and leg workouts within the next few days.