Exercise Show & Tell to celebrate the Royals World Series Win!

Well the mid-sized and comfy city of Kansas City, situated practically right smack dab in the middle of America had quite the day yesterday. The Royals baseball team took the crown and over 500,000 people packed downtown Kansas City, parading and ending right in my backyard at the historical Union Station, (which once upon a time was heated/powered by a coal plant housed next door, which after renovation is now the home of Kansas City Ballet) to celebrate their well deserved win. There were many reasons why the Royals world championship win impacted our city besides the Royals first world championship win in 30 years. People are proud here. Proud of where the city is going, proud of where they live, who they support, and where the city is headed. The Royals win couldn’t have come at a better time, giving business owners, school superintendents, and city leaders the excuse to pause their workload for the day and collaborate in the celebration for both the Royals and their city!

My dog Maddie greeting kids resting on the ledge of our apartment window during the Royals celebration!

However, a big crowd like that has to vanish (not so easily), and the neighborhood seems extra quiet today.

So I decided to share with you an exercise for today’s Exercise Show and Tell, which I bet would challenge dancers, and for sure the Royals baseball players.  Thank you to my beautiful model, Zoe Stein, who is a trainee for KCB for taking this video.

Steps:

1- Lie Supine (on your back on the reformer). Place your left foot turned out with the ball of your foot on the foot-bar. Place the other foot in coupé front. Be sure to stay in a neutral position, with your abdominals engaged, collar bones wide, shoulders down and your arms resting long to your side of the carriage.

2- Begin your fondú, coordinating both legs equally so both legs straighten at the same time.

3- Flex your working leg foot at the same time you flex the standing foot, lengthening the heal all the way under the foot bar (lengthening away from your hip).

4- Raise your Left heal back into a relevé poistion (heal lifted) while articulating the working leg foot back into plantar flexion (point).

5 – Battement (lowering the right leg on top of the left leg) and returning the leg back to where it just came from.

6- Return back to starting position in step 1.

7- Repeat 3-6 times on each leg. Repetition may vary based on individual needs. Once you feel that you are no longer doing the exercise correctly, it’s time to stop.

A dancer’s profile: Featuring breath taking PNB’s principal ballerina, Lesley Rausch

For the next 6 week’s in a row dancehealthier will be featuring 6 Dancer Profile’s from dancers all across the nation. This week’s entry begins on top with the lovely, graceful, beauty who has commanded PNB’s stage, Lesley Rausch. Enjoy and share her beauty to many.

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Name: Lesley Rausch

Vocation: Principal Dancer, Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Defining moment onstage to date: I’m not sure I an pick just one moment. I’ve been so fortunate to have many opportunities in the last few years to dance roles that I’ve always hoped to dance. One of the most special memories for me is the first time I danced Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. It was my first full-length ballet, other than Nutcracker. It was an incredible experience and one I cherish greatly.

Ronald Hynd’s “Sleeping Beauty”, Photo Credit: Angela Sterling.

Favorite style of dance: We are privileged at PNB to dance a really varied repertoire. I really love dancing classical full lengths, but I also enjoy Balanchine ballets (Agon is a favorite) and other contemporary ballet choreography (Forsythe, Kiliyan, Dawson). It’s hard to choose one style because they are gratifying in different ways and it’s the artistic challenge that makes them each special in their own way.

Partner: Batkhurel Bold, Photo Credit: Angela Sterling

Inspiration: I’m inspired by many things, but often times, it’s the music that drives me to dance. We are so fortunate to have an incredible orchestra at PNB and dancing to live music is so fulfilling. My favorite ballets are the ones in which the choreography is very musical.

Favorite dance wear brand I tend to wear all different kinds of dance clothes, but some of my favorite leotards are made by Elizabeth Murphy who also dances with PNB as well as the Eleve brand.

Favorite energy breakfast: I usually start the day with a protein shake smoothie.

Favorite thing to do on a “day-off” from work: My days off vary depending on how tired I am from the week of work. If it’s been a really challenging rehearsal period, I usually try to relax and rest. If I’m not too exhausted, I go take a yoga class. I always find time to connect with friends.

Balanchine’s, “Diamonds”, Photo Credit: Lindsay Thomas.

How do you blow off steam: Yoga is usually a good way for me to unwind and relax. Sometimes just watching a movie can help change my mood. Talking to friends or family is always helpful if something is bothering me.

Why do you think integration of dance & health is needed: As dance evolves and becomes more athletically demanding, it’s very important for dancers to be able to find a healthy ways to maintain their bodies. Good nutrition and cross training are vital. In order to be able to dance at our highest capacity and extend our careers, it’s important to take these things into consideration as we train and perform.

“Giselle”, Photo Credit: Angela Sterling.

What’s next for you: There are a lot of exciting ballets coming up this season at PNB that I can’t wait to dance: David Dawson’s “A Million Kisses to My Skin,” Alexei Ratmansky’s “Don Quixote,” Kent Stowell’s “Swan Lake,” and William Forsythe’s “In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated.” I’m also working on a Stott Pilates certification, so it’s going to be a busy year!

4 ways to rejuvenate after a performance weekend

1, 2, 3, 4. . . not 5, 6, 7, 8.

Now looking at Alice in Wonderland in my rearview mirror.

4 Ways to rejuvenate after a performance weekend. 

1. Laugh at yourself- @ getting older.  “Pan, who and what art thou?” he cried huskily.
“I’m youth, I’m joy,” Peter answered at a venture, “I’m a little bird that has broken out of the egg.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

 2. Watch beer coffee being made. Roasterie (KC) Rocks my world – everyday.  And yes, this really means I’m not talking about beer. ;)

3. Listen to calming playlists on Spotify.  Alexi Murdoch @alximrdch, you sound sooooo fine today.

4. Yoga – Grounding. Breathe it out. Remember what is important. Start fresh to a week off. Follow Sage Center for Yoga & Healing Arts on FB.  Inspiring place to be & one amazing owner.

Remember to dancehealthier.  & go ROYALS!

Dancers from around the world finding happiness!

With both experience and careful observation, I believe that dancers tend to dance best when we are driven by some sort of emotion, particularly in today’s case, happiness! Behind the scenes, dancers find their own sources of happiness. These sources are different for each one of us, which makes it that much more special. Happiness compels us, intrigues us, motivates us, and lets be honest, keeps us going!

With no subject or topic in mind, these dancers answered: What is something that makes you happy?

Jermaine Maurice Spivey – Dancer with Kidd Pivot in Frankfurt, Germany (previously with Cullberg Ballet, Ballet Gulbenkien and Juilliard):

Happiness: “Driving with no destination, early afternoon naps, trains (real ones, not subway trains) playing guitar, shopping for other people, scotch, the smell of geranium.”

Tom Mattingly – Soloist with Ballet West (Previously with Cincinnati Ballet):

Happiness: “Dancing makes me happy. . . lol. It’s kind of a bunheaded answer but it’s true. Dance has brought me more joy than anything else in my life. It enabled me to get out of a negative place in my life and move past it. Without dance I wouldn’t have been able to move around the country and meet so many awesome people that made me realize that I’m someone worth being.”

Kara Zimmerman – Dancer with Joffrey Ballet (previously with Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet):

Happiness: “Coffee, time with friends, beautiful sunsets, dancing, water, amusement parks, trying new things.”

Dwayne Holliday – Danced with Ballett Deutche Oper am Rhein, Milwaukee Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet:

Happiness: “My wife makes me happy, Yoga, life…Taking a bit of time to reflect on what I have been given, as opposed to what I was not blessed with.”

Danielle Bausinger: Dancer with Cincinnati Ballet (trained with San Francisco Ballet School):

Happiness: “Chocolate, Love, movies, beaches, naps particularly on a rainy day, Disney, and being an Aunt.”

Julia Erickson – Principal dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre:

Happiness: “I love all things indulgent and hedonistic but it also makes me happy to find the guilt-free pleasure: naps with my kitties, the ocean, checking things off the to-do list, the New York Times, the New Yorker (can you spot a theme?), perfume, fresh produce, creating – making stuff (sewing, jewelry, etc), baking, cooking, creating a wonderful dish out of only things in my pantry, a summer mani-pedi, helper dogs, love and loved ones, having friends from different walks of life, forgiveness, street food, traveling with Aaron to far off places, playing and giving and exploring while dancing, Seattle late summer nights, amazing quality sushi, a Cafe Intelligensia latte, creating a new delicious yet healthy recipe for a Barre flavor!”

Kelly Yankle – Dancer with Ballet Met (Previously with Cincinnati Ballet):

Happiness: “Relaxing makes me happy, knowing that I have nothing at all to do or worry about (that is rare, haha). Speaking Spanish makes me happy. Laughing makes me happy. My boyfriend and friends make me happiest!

More to be continued. . .