by Debbie Groenewald | Jan 8, 2018 | Ballet, Inspirational
I think it is a perefectly natural human reaction when a year is drawing to a close: we reflect on what is past – usually with a little regret and definitely some relief – but we also look forward in eager anticipation to what lies ahead – certain it...
by Debbie Groenewald | Oct 25, 2017 | Ballet
Now that you know all about the humble beginnings of the pointe shoe… and a few hundred years of perfecting shape and fit have passed, let’s take a look at the anatomy of the pointe shoe, the various manufacturers and what to look for when fitting your...
by Debbie Groenewald | Oct 11, 2017 | Ballet, History
Ask any Ballerina of any age or stage of dancing what it is she wants to do most, the answer will be “dance on Pointe”. But what is the point and how did it all start? Marie Taglioni (1804 – 1884) is credited with being the first dancer to...
by Debbie Groenewald | Aug 31, 2017 | Ballet, Inspirational
Many Adult dancers return to the ballet studio with trepidation. Their childhood memories of ballet (or any form of dance) are clouded by the scathing remarks and dream destroying comments made thoughtlessly by a teacher. Alot of the students who arrive at Les...
by Debbie Groenewald | Jul 18, 2017 | Ballet, Technique
An adult ballet dancer faces many challenges:juggling work and family schedules to coincide with class times; sometimes University exams and sick children prevent the adult dancer making it to class or other engagements result in missed classes. And then there’s...
by Debbie Groenewald | Jun 20, 2017 | Ballet
A week or two ago the question “Which is a ballerina’s strongest muscle?” was raised in class. After a brief discussion, it was unanimously decided: her core. And that is probably the area that is generally left behind in favour of technique and...
