Zoom classes begin July 1!

Hello beautiful dancers!

On Wed July 1, I will start teaching on Zoom so we can begin to transition back to classes. The Zoom schedule will be as follows:

Sunday 11AM-12:15PM Open level technique

Sunday 12:15-1:30PM Pointe

Monday 6:45-8PM Open level technique

Tuesday 6:45-8PM Open level technique

Wednesday 6:45-8PM Open level technique

Thursday 6:45-8PM Open level technique

Saturday 9:30-10:45AM Open level technique

Payment for classes: I will be converting ALL paper cards to e-cards. Each of you will receive credit for any remaining classes you have on your cards (e.g. 2 classes left on a 10-class card is worth $31). Please send me a photo of your card so I can give you proper credit. If I have your card, I will do it for you. The credit will be associated with your preferred email address so be sure to tell me which one you want to use; you can use your credit to purchase a class whenever you sign up for it. Your balance will adjust each time you purchase a class.

Each Zoom class is $15 and will be limited to 10 students. To attend a class, simply go to my class page on my website, select the class you want to attend and reserve your spot. You only need to fill in your name and email and pay for the class. A reminder and Zoom link will be emailed to you. When we return to in-studio classes, we will continue to do everything online and with reserved spots.

I will also continue teaching a free livestream class on Fridays at 11AM on YouTube. If you have any questions, just let me know!As with everything during this pandemic, we need to be flexible!

Thank you all so much for your support and willingness to try new things in new ways!

New video up on YouTube! Glissade

Hello everyone!

It's been a very long time but finally, I have a new instructional video on my YouTube channel:

Glissade!

Lucky #13, as it turns out.  I shot it a long time ago but I still look the same and I still teach glissade the same way. Almost! If I were to re-do this one, I might add the suggestion that you spring your toes from the "push" leg, that is the second leg in the glissade. This will help to get you more suspension and allow you to stay in the air longer.

Enjoy! And happy dancing~

200 subscribers! Wow!

Thanks so very much to all of my YouTube channel subscribers for following me and for watching my instructional mini-videos. Once my editor has finished the DVD of the Nutcracker for the studio, he will put a new video up. I swear.

And if it takes too long, I'll learn the program and do it myself!

Happy dancing~

New video and other announcements!

Hi everyone! I will be posting a new video very, very soon. My webmaster is putting the finishing touches on it now.

I also wanted to mention that I'm thinking of giving away a pair of handknit leg warmers (knit by me!) when I reach 100 subscribers on my YouTube channel. Right now, I have 48 so be sure to subscribe to the channel. I'll let everyone when I hold the contest, plus you'll get email updates whenever I upload a new video.

And one more announcement for people in the LA area: I will be subbing for Perry Brown this Saturday at Hama's in Studio City from 11:30-1PM. It's an open level ballet class so if you're looking for a Saturday morning class, come try it out!

Cheers and happy dancing~

Update - schedule and videos

Hi everyone! For those of you who take my evening classes in Pasadena, I will not be teaching tonight, Tuesday January 26th because of a prior commitment. The amazing and talented Melissa Waters will be subbing for me - enjoy!

Also, I have LOTS of footage shot for new videos - it's just a matter of getting my webmaster to edit the pieces and upload them. He's been really busy with other video stuff for me, including the short video of me discussing my latest foray in publishing, THE RISE OF GINNY COOPER. Go to my YouTube channel and check it out, if you're interested.

But a new ballet video will definitely go up very soon...

Cheers and happy dancing!

From the mailbag...

Two great questions from a subscriber to my videos on YouTube (the FitBallet Channel!):


1. Is turn out supposed to be 180*?

And my response to her was: No, it is not supposed to be 180 degrees. Any teacher who forces your legs into that position will ultimately hurt your knees because it torques the muscles and tendons behind the kneecaps.

The way to determine YOUR best turnout is to stand in first position and take a demi-plie. Your knees should go out directly over the arch of your foot and your toes and your heels should not lift off the floor. Now, watching yourself in a mirror in profile, gradually take your grand plie, letting the weight of the legs lift the heels off the floor. Your legs should be turning out at the top of the thighs in the hips, your derriere should neither be tucked nor lifted, and your lower back should be flat.

If you are forcing your turnout in your feet, then you will see that the knees in grand plie are in front of your toes rather than directly over them. Go back to 1st position and take a shallower turnout and try again.

And then a follow-up question.

2. What can I can do to become more flexible and open my turn out more?

And my response to her was: You can work on your splits to increase flexibility in your hips. Or you can let gravity help you! Lay flat on your back with your rear end against a wall and let your legs open into a wide V. Try to relax the muscles inside your thighs so they don't grip and allow the weight of your legs to help open your hips.

Another option: If you have a sturdy chair, place one leg on top of the chair back (or on the seat if it's too high for you) and slowly lean forward over your leg. Make sure your hips are settled evenly before you lean over. Then turn slightly to the side so the leg is in a la second position. Reach your opposing arm over your head and try to lean the side of your head against your knee.

Both of these stretches will increase your flexibility and ultimately loosen your hips so you can achieve a greater turnout.

Got burning ballet questions? Bring 'em on! I've got new videos coming and more ideas brewing. Let me know if there's anything you want to see.

Happy dancing!