How to Improve: Devote Yourself
We’ve all heard the old saying “Practice makes perfect”.

While this is obvious to some, there so many people that just don’t seem to get it. It especially applies to dance, as it does to any profession or hobby.

A major difference between an amateur and a professional is that the professional has devoted their life to what they love, while many amateurs usually just “dabble” on the side. They’re often left wondering why their level of skill is not on par with the masters, or looking for a shortcut that will make them as good as the pros.

There are many good tips and lessons, but there is no big shortcut. Some skills come easier to some than others, but there’s a huge margin of learning that simply takes time and dedication: Hours of practice per day, study, good teachers, and a good learning environment.

When you devote your life to something, you spend countless hours per day perfecting your technique, and many hours studying as much as humanly possible. You should enjoy it enough to become obsessed.

There’s no possible way someone can reach their full potential at something if they aren’t spending hours a day to become their absolute best.

Next time you’re envying your favorite dancer and their skills, remember that they’ve probably devoted their life to the craft. Can you imagine how good you would be at something if you worked on it for that many hours each day? Not only would you improve…You would reach heights you’ve never dreamed of.

Voice your opinion in our COMMUNITY.. JOIN TODAY IT IS FREE!!!!!! There are valuable dance topics being discussed right now – join in!

The Five Secrets to Flexibility
As dancers, we know that being limber is just as important as being strong. Without the proper flexibility we aren’t able to accomplish the advanced movement dance requires. Some of us got lucky in the DNA bank but most have to work really hard at gaining flexibility. Stretching involves many hours of consistency and effort. To help guide the dancer in their quest for a more flexible body, we’ve compiled The Five Secrets to Flexibility:

1) Stretching Agenda

Dancers need to put aside time to attend to their stretching as often as possible. The best time to do this is in the span of a dance class. Get to class early for pre-stretches. It is important that stretching is done before class, during class and most definitely after class. Stretching while warm will give the most progress. Muscles don’t easily respond to stretching when they are cold!

2) Stretching Technique

Start by stretching the neck, and literally move down the body focusing on specific areas one by one. Stretching in this way allows the body to ease into deeper stretches. Think: how can you work on hamstring stretches if your neck and back are tense and inflexible? The body will only gain flexibility if it is stretched properly and in it’s entirely. Try stretching in ascending order:

Start with the neck and spine; gently roll the head while standing with perfect posture.

Move down to the shoulders, back and rib cage with isolation moves and rolls. Bring arms forward and round back, then hold them behind and roll chest back. Roll shoulders forward and backward.

Stretch the arms by opening them both out to either side and bend the fingers downward at the wrists. Don’t forget bicep stretches as well, lift the elbow straight up in the air and pull it down with the opposite arm, then bring arm across chest and hold with opposite arm.

Stretch the sides by bending one arm over head reaching for the other side; keep the hips squared.

Concentrate on the back. Do a forward bend and hang there with the neck relaxed, roll up slowly. Also try laying on the back and lifting the legs to touch the ground above the head. This is a great spinal stretch.

Stretch the hips by sitting in “Indian Style” and laying down as far forward as possible.

Work on the hamstrings by sitting on the ground with the feet straight out in front. Sit up straight, bring the arms up, flex the feet then bend forward with a flat back.

Open the legs out to second and stretch the inner thighs, do a side bend toward either leg.

Also bring the body forward in this position with a goal to lay the chest on the ground, reach forward as far as possible and hold. This can also be done against a wall for more resistance.

Work the quadriceps by sitting on the knees (while leaving the calves underneath the body), lay the torso back as far as possible, try to lay on the ground or at least on the elbows.

Do a split to the left and to the right. If a split hasn’t been achieved yet then still try and hold it. Try bending either the front or the back leg if the spilt isn’t yet developed, and try reaching the body over the leg with a flat back.

Also try to roll through the middle split and land in “frog” position. Or just lye on the stomach and bend both knees so feet are together (frog position). This is a great stretch for turn-out.

Each of these stretches will be uncomfortable initially, but with dedication there will be improvement.

3) The Committed Stretcher

Stretch as often as possible. Stretch while watching TV, doing homework, reading…. Putting as much effort into stretching as dancing, is what it takes to see real results) Stretching on the Clock

Deep stretching requires a good amount of time. Each stretch has to be held literally, for a few minutes a piece. Rushing a stretch won’t help progress. A good idea is to get a timer, and time each stretch. Relax the muscle while in the depth of each stretch. Then hold it for until the timer rings. The idea is to feel comfortable in each stretch.

5) Supplemental Stretching

Take a class just for stretching! Try Pilates, Yoga or stretch classes. These classes can be found at the local gym, private studios, parks and recreation centers or the local community college. Really commit to these classes and learn the art of stretching in it’s own right.

Let’s face it, dancers who are not limber are left behind. Being limber is necessary in dance so treat it as a high priority! Take the time to focus to get the results desired. Remember though: be kind to the body. Pushing the muscles to quick and enduring pain is counter-productive. The idea is to gently stretch the muscles, not injure them. Overstretched injured muscles are full of scar tissue that is permanent and un-pliable… So take care, be committed and stay focused: improvement is inevitable!

Being the new kid on the block is a very taunting task for some. Everyone has to start somewhere and being brand new to any activity comes with hardships. There is a learning curve that the new dancer must expect. Any person who is considering dance, whether they are 8 or 38, needs to be prepared for the journey ahead. Dancehelp has put together some advice for the beginner – to help them through the first year. If this is you, read up!

Once the decision is made to begin to dance, and a school is chosen, there are several things one can do to assure the trip is as smooth as possible. A good thing to do is to check out the facility. Watch a class if allowed, find the lockers, note where the restroom is, and ask questions about the policies. Know the dress code, get the proper attire, and asked to be placed into an appropriate class. When in doubt take the very first level.

Prior to your first class, go to the library and check out a few books on the subject (or surf the net). Take a look at body positions, vocabulary and such. Watch some video footage in order to capture the essence of whatever dance style you are seeking to learn. Once you have a little knowledge it will be much easier to understand exactly what you will be learning to do.

The very first class taken usually has a few obstacles. For starters, there will always be someone in the class who is better than you. And this will continue throughout your life as a dancer (unless you’re Sylvie Guillem…you get the picture). The object is to position yourself in the class, next to those who are much better than you, so you can mimic their movement and advance quicker. Most importantly though, it is the teacher who suggests the movement, and it is that movement that you are to mimic, not some fancy trick that a student learned in some other class.

Don’t be concerned with your body shape or others who seem somewhat intimidating. The goal here is to focus on the material and do your best to mimic it. The best thing you can do is to listen with all ears, to practice at home, and to come to each and every class in the season (or semester). There will be classes that are harder than others. Some days you will feel awkward, frustrated and downright silly. But remember; everyone has to start somewhere, and doing something for the first time will of course be awkward. It certainly was the first for every dancer.

Sometimes dancers advance rather quickly, this happens with 10% talent and 90% hard work. Dedicate yourself to taking class at least twice a week minimum if you’re to learn this new discipline. It will certainly help a great deal. Once a week just isn’t enough.

A word of advice for those shy beginners: no one is looking at you …everyone is really only looking at themselves. Learn to operate inside your focused little bubble, eventually you will become less concerned with who is watching you and instead you will focus on the material being presented.

Taking class can sometimes be a tense experience. Especially to a dancer who is new, but is full of passion to learn their chosen dance discipline. Emotions must be checked at the door. This is a process. You must allow yourself this courtesy! Do not be “mean” to yourself, be understanding and take it with a grain of salt.

Don’t always put yourself in the back of the class, try to get a better spot so you can see and hear the teacher better! Or at least stand behind a better dancer than you who tends to remember combinations and exercises. This is helpful but make sure it doesn’t become a crutch! You must learn these exercises on your own without looking at anyone. Try to test yourself with memorization; it is a huge part of dance! Being able to focus and to remember the combinations is the first step, because let’s face it, dancers that are physically able to complete exercises, but can’t remember them are no better off than vice versa.

If you are getting corrected a ton by the teacher: congratulations! They must see potential in you. Either way you found yourself a good teacher. Be thrilled for corrections, learn to remember them and apply them to every other class after that.

Remember to bring water, eat well and get your rest. Dance requires an awful lot from the body, especially those who are starting new. If you are older make sure you don’t go into a dance class with an old injury. Ask a doctor prior to class sign up! Also, make sure you only push yourself as far as your body lets you. Do not try to immediately achieve what you see other dancers most likely took years to perfect. And by this I mean larger jumps or turns. Start at square one and go through the motions like stepping stones. Pay close attention to the pre-dance exercises. Perfect those first! They are responsible for building the strength it will take to achieve the floor movement.

Stretch in your spare time. Go over exercises and floor combinations that were confusing. Ask other dancers for help before or after class. Never be afraid to really pursue dance technique. It is glorious and worth every bit of effort. The payoff is huge whether the end result is a dance career or just a dance hobby. Hats off to the new dancers! Hang in there, we all started where you did!

Things to remember and helpful tips when competing in Cheerleading.
By Valerie Ninemire, About.com

Competitions have become a big part of Cheerleading and Dance. A competition squad can invest hundreds of hours, tons of effort and lots of hard-earned money in competing. So, whether your next competition is local or national, across town or across the county, here are some tips to make it go off without a hitch.

Before You Leave

•Have each squad member prepare a checklist of what they need to bring. Be sure they check off their list before you head out.
•Prepare a checklist for what the whole squad will need. It’s a good idea to assign members to be responsible for seeing that each item is packed. Again, take the time to check off each item before you leave.
•Plan for emergencies. Check your medical releases for current information such as phone numbers, allergies, etc. Discuss your emergency injury procedure with the whole squad. If you don’t have emergency injury procedure, now is the perfect time to institute one.
•Check your first aid kit and be sure to bring it. Replace any old items and add any new ones you might need.
•Ask a parent or non squad member to take pictures or preferably video the competition.
•Assign someone to keep up with the competition by taking notes. They can write down the scores, comment on the competition and make general observations. This might prove valuable for future competitions.
When You Get There

•Stay calm and focused. Competitions can be fun, exciting and stressful. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.
•Look over the facilities so everyone knows where everything is.
•Check the schedule and be sure all squad members know where they are suppose to be and when.
•Be polite and remember your behavior reflects not only on you but on the whole squad.
•Be supportive of the other squads members and other squads.
•Make mental notes or even jot down things you think might help your squad next time.
•Think positive.
•Remember no one likes a poor loser or a boastful winner.
•Ask questions, if you have any and don’t forget the educational aspect of competitions.
•Have fun.
When You Get Back

•Have a squad/team meeting and critique your performance. Go over your strong points and discuss your weaknesses. Talk about what worked and what didn’t.
•View any videos or pictures that were taken. Learn from them.
•Read any notes and discuss comments that were written down or remembered.
•Make sure all criticism is constructive and doesn’t hurt any one persons feelings. Remember you’re a team and you’re only as good as your weakest member. Your goal should be to improve as a squad and not to alienate people or make them feel bad.
•Once you’ve rehashed the last competition and learned from it, put it behind you and move on to your next one.
Cheerleading and Dance competitions can be a lot of work, but they are also a lot of fun. You’ll be making memories that will last you a lifetime. So, if your squad comes away from a competition having given it a 100%, then you are all truly winners!

THIS IS SOME INFORMATION I HAVE COLLECTED FROM BOOKS, WEBSITES AND EMAILS… SO YOU ARE READY TO TRY OUT FOR YOUR SCHOOL TEAM OR YOUR GYM…. HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL THINGS TO REMEMBER…..
GO TEAM… RAH RAH RAH!!!

You’ve been preparing for your Cheerleading Tryouts daily. You’ve taken some tumbling classes at the local gym. You’ve stretched every night and have done all you can to perfect your jumps, by now your last name should be Herkie. Your motions are crisp and strong. Each time your mother walks by the bathroom she sees you make a variety of “facial expressions” in the mirror and the dog seems to be howling your cheers along with you. Physically and vocally you are ready for cheerleading tryouts – but so are 30 other girls. So your next big question is …. What can you do to leave a lasting impression on the judges?

Bring whatever you need to feel prepared and relaxed to tryouts. Bring your bottled water, a snack, your good luck charm. Bring anything that will help calm your nerves the day of tryouts.

Make sure to bring your confidence – stand tall, make eye contact with the judges. They’re more likely to remember the confident girl that gave them a genuine smile, over the one that just stood there like a deer in head lights.

Keep that amazing smile on smile till you feel like your face is going to freeze like this …. A smile speaks a thousand words. Not to mention when you smile you naturally feel better – so why not smile thru the whole tryouts…

Be sure to dress the part – make sure your t-shirt says cheerleading….. there are some amazing designs out there and you can even get some in your gym or school colors…… or have one custom made …… don’t forget the cheerleading shoes… this is a must… to help with your performance. and absolutely NO jewlery…

Don’t forget to have your hair pulled back and you can use a bow that matches your outfit… this makes you look like the total package now all you have to do is perform your BEST!

MAKE UP:

a little or subtle make is great too…. lip gloss is great too… and when you are nervous your lips can get dry… so a little lip gloss can go a long way

if possible and feel comfortable … a washable tatoo could be a great way to show school or team spirit.. may want to check the guidlines of the group you are trying out for. They may feel it is just way tooo much and may find it distracting.

TAKING THE FLOOR:
“Hit the crowd”. Approach the floor chanting “We’re #1! Go Team!, Let’s go”! This will help wake up the judges and prepare them to watch you.
ABOVE ALL: Don’t let a mistake bring you down. Keep going and pull through it – this is after all what will be expected during a competition or game.
DON’T FORGET!!!! Be positive and have fun. The judges can tell if you’re having fun. Encourage others to show that you’re a team player. The judges are always watching you – even if it’s not your turn to try out.

Thank the judges after you tryout.

Remember most of all Have FUN! If you make the squad – CONGRATS! If you don’t make the squad – just remember everything you learned that day and by all means keep practicing – THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!

If your looking for that custom outfit or need something for your tryouts, please do not hesitate to contact me thru the site… or call me… I look forward to hearing from you