dance

My Poor Dance Teachers

I began my dance training at age 3. A toddler. Enough said.

Years later I had the pleasure of teaching students about that age. One teacher with 8-15 students of varied ages but fairly equal in their training with one another.

I finally had to tell one mother, privately of course, that I had to spend too much time asking her child not to hang from the ballet barre & run around & that she might try again later in the next 6 months or so to see if there’s better results. They were easily distracted & not mature enough to handle the discipline needed for this type of an environment. She was incensed at my “criticism” of her child.

Mothers, please don’t start your children in dance until they are old enough or mature enough to follow instructions. It’s not fair to the other children trying to learn & giving the teacher attitude is not fair either. You will always find teachers that want your business & will be willing to teach your child. If I thought the child was sufficiently mature to actually learn dance movements I could have worked something out for private lessons which I did with some students. There would be more expense involved. I would never just take someone’s money under false pretense that I was teaching them when they were not at an age or inclination to learn anything.

With two of our dance students in a local Independence Day Parade.

I don’t post much lately & want to start making short posts on anything that comes to mind that might be of help or inspiration to those who can even find my blog in an over saturated internet.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Culture

I am of part Native American decent but have never shown much interest in any of my heritage, due to I am from many people, a real mutt, an American. 

I believe my green thumb and love of nature comes from the indigenous blood flowing inside of me.  I would spend most of my time as a child in fields catching snakes and tadpoles, picking wild berries in spring and hazelnuts in the fall.  I was taught about wild plants and would actually forage meals of nuts and berries where I lived many years ago.  My father taught me to hunt and fish with respect to nature and the animals and I was actually given a knife to use when I was very young after given instructions on how to use it properly and safely.  I used to think of myself as the “herb lady” but as you can tell from my blog, this kind of got away from me.  I do only grow organic and still grow some herbs.  Many died when I had my Akita who loved to pee on anything green.  I think my large silver sage died of natural causes as they usually do. 

Enhanced pictures taken from one of the Powwow’s held in Tecumseh Michigan years ago.  I usually don’t take pictures but took a few of this one.

 

Come On, Move It!

 blondgirl1
I am not going to waste your time on this site by posting any actual exercises.  There are many of them and most movement is good for you.  The main thing to remember is walking is the best exercise and most natural. We need to be sure to use the upper body to maintain strength as we age. Exercising with small weights can help. As an ex-dancer and dance teacher, I know what a great work out dancing is.
Anyone who has seen Dancing With The Stars can see how many of the contestants lose weight while on the show.  Belly Dancing is a sensual way to become attune to your body as you tone it! It is important not to overdo any exercise and check with your Dr if you have any health issues or are obese before you try anything strenuous.
Working out with others gives people more incentive. You might try checking out your local school’s continuing education programs for any dance or fitness classes that seem reasonable.  Don’t become obsessive about the latest diet or exercise, you need to find a way to move in everything that you do, to incorporate exercise, so you don’t feel like it is something you have to do, it is something your body wants to feel.  The glorious feeling of being stretched and relaxed, not worn out!

Exercise can never be overrated.

Your overall fitness and health depends more on exercise or lack thereof, then your diet when it comes to weight loss and muscle tone.

As long as you are not actually overeating, taking in more calories than you burn and eating really bad, fatty foods, you should be able to eat what you want in reasonable portion sizes and be able to lose or maintain your weight if you move enough.

I knew people that never did structured exercise in their life, but between gardening, having very clean houses, taking occasional walks
and going out dancing once a week, they had great figures even with their healthy appetites.  You never want to be sloth-like, laying or
sitting around all the time.  It is dangerous to lose so much muscle tone, as well as potentially causing blood clots to form.
The more muscle you lose, the more cellulite appears in its place.  Ask any ex-dancer!blondgirl2