Shelter-in-place means dancing at home

One minute we were in the studio, rehearsing for our spring fundraiser, enjoying our pointe variation workshops and taking class together and the next...

Lockdown. Shelter-in-place. Safer-at-home. By now, most of us are working from home (or trying to!), navigating the new waters of being indoors most hours of the day (or trying to!). Those of you who typically drive to an office have had to set up a home office, including computer and videoconferencing and everything else necessary to communicate with your co-workers. Kids are home from school and parents are spending more time helping them do their coursework online.

To say this is unprecedented is truly an understatement. We were not prepared.

As dancers, we are not equipped to be immobile. We need to move.

Ballet is in our blood and our souls and our brains. 

We need to express ourselves creatively and in ways that are not simply aerobics or running (nothing wrong with either of those things but they fulfill different needs).

Some students who have been dancing for a while likely have a dedicated space at home that allows them to do some small exercises. Others need to move things around to give them the space for this so it takes a bit of work.

But there are others who are still very new to dance, or simply never thought to have a studio at home because they go to a beautiful one every day, who are standing by their kitchen sinks or grabbing onto a dining room chair. These are not bad options for the short-term but let's face facts: we are looking at long-term. As I write this on March 26, I expect that California will not go back to work for at least 2 months. That's another 7 or 8 weeks inside. No studio. No group classes. No teachers (like me!) to tell you what to do!

Home studio with furniture and Blossom

The past week has seen the dance community come together like never before, with all kinds of classes and workshops being offered across a multitude of platforms: from livestreamed barres on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook Live to Zoom classes in contemporary and hip-hop and modern to videos created by teachers in their empty studios; dancers and teachers have been reaching out to support one another and connect with their desperate and detached students.

In some ways, this is all awesome, isn't it? You can't get to your classes so your classes come to YOU. But...what do you do in your own home? You can't hold onto the counter for 2 months!

Build your own studio!

(When I say "build" I mean that as loosely or as literally as you want it to be.)

First choose the area you want to dance in.

**The best place is obviously one without carpeting, preferably a wooden floor with some give to it, rather than concrete.
**If you can find a space that doesn't have a slippery surface, that would be ideal.
**Make sure there isn't any furniture around or if there is, it can easily be moved out of the way.
**If you only have carpet or concrete, you can purchase a mat online that gives you a smoother surface with a bit of give. Here is a mat from Harlequin. But there are others!
**You may also need a table top on which to place your computer/laptop/tablet with an outlet nearby if you need one.
**If you can find a quiet space, one with a door that can close, that is also ideal. You will want to be able to hear the teacher and the music and it's more conducive to setting aside this area as "home studio."

You might want to leave some room for your pet to dance too!

Next the barre:

1. Order one online - either free-standing or wall-mounted. Keep in mind you will have to put the parts together. Be sure to measure your space properly so you can order the right size for your dance area and check your walls before you get a wall-mount.

Here is a free-standing one -

The Beam Store

And wall-mounted - 

VitaVibe

Both of the above businesses are independently owned but you can also order from Amazon if you prefer.

2. DIY - again free-standing or wall-mounted

YouTube metal barre free standing tutorial

Wall mounted barre DIY

There are LOTS of different options out there. Check Pinterest or search YouTube for videos. Some pieces you can have your local hardware store cut for you (in California they are essential businesses so you could call ahead and have them cut pipe for you if you need it and then pick it up for minimal contact).

Finally, set up an area for your computer/laptop/tablet.

**Place it at a height that can be easily adjusted as you move from one side to the other.
**If the class is interactive (i.e. your teacher can see you), put it somewhere that the camera will see you properly. Sometimes this is a low angle and far away so the teacher can see your feet.
**Always practice with your computer's webcam before your lesson so you don't waste time adjusting or missing a combination.

A guard pup is helpful while you're busy dancing.

A few reminders about taking class at home:
DO try to keep to a routine, whether it's the same day or time as your in-studio class or a new routine that fits with your new schedule; this will make it more likely you will continue your technique classes. 
DO use class to help your mental health and connect to others.
DON'T stress if you can't follow online easily: it takes a few tries to figure out how to follow someone on the screen.
DO take class at your current level and
DO watch more challenging classes prior to participating so you know what's coming next
DON'T jump unless your floor is sprung or raised
DON'T be tempted to do more pointe work than you are ready for without a teacher's guidance
DO take the opportunity to try new teachers and new dance styles!

Whatever you do, just keep moving!  Happy dancing and stay healthy!