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The Pros of Resting (and How to Rest like a Pro)

Philippa
8 July 2014 
All around the world, dancers are taking a break right about now… 
In the northern hemisphere you get to enjoy a lovely summer break, 
while down here we get a short winter holiday – but nonetheless a 
time out from the studio! As you get ready to wind down some, 
here are some ideas to switch off, guilt-free and make the most of 
this recovery time toward what lies beyond! :-)

 

How do you feel coming up to a break from dance?

Ecstatic?   Relieved?   Slightly Uneasy?   Petrified?

Holidays are great! But for many dancers, whether you spend your time off at the coast or in the cafés or on the couch, you are often accompanied by some niggling worries in the back of your mind…

 
I’m getting out of shape…
I shouldn’t be eating this…
I need to DO something!
I can’t sit still…
I can’t relax too much – I have to stay on top of things!

There is this fear that if you really allow yourself to rest, you’ll “let yourself go,” lose your precious form and ruin your progress.

But seasoned artists know how much they need rest and manage to let themselves really relax – and ENJOY it thoroughly – without guilt or fear of losing their form. And you can too…

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Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist

Philippa
5 September 2013

 

For so many years I danced before so many mirrors and really thought that the size of my thighs was the hardest thing to look at.

But all this talk of perfectionism on the blog here is revealing all this stuff in ME that I’d prefer not to look at. Writing about perfectionism is the hardest mirror to look in. Ever.

Here I am trying to help you dancers overcome the darker side of perfectionism, but as I do so, the mirror flips back at me, and I see how I still get trapped, how I still forget to listen to my own advice and trust what I know deep down.

So, as hard to admit as it is, I’m still a perfectionist.

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Why Dancers’ Mental Health Is Vitally Important

Philippa
4 July 2013

 

2 articles I’ve read recently have just got my blood pumping.

One highlighted how dance and the types of personalities it attracts (um, perfectionists…) are linked to higher incidences of eating disorders, which are the deadliest of all mental disorders.

And then just a few days ago, was the shocking story of a talented principal dancer from the Eugene Ballet in the US, who unexpectedly committed suicide, leaving a note for his wife on the door of their home.

Such devastating stories show how *vitally* important it is for dancers to take care of their mental and emotional health.

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Lessons for Babies and Ballet Dancers

Philippa
4 April 2013 
A chance for me to make a blog post in the midst of baby-brain 
(and an excuse to show off some proud-mama pics of my gorgeous 
girl Noemi!). Here are some lessons I'm learning, perhaps you 
can learn from them too?

1)   Do not despise small beginnings, remember them and be astounded at how much you can grow

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Food – friend or foe? Part 2

Philippa
1 February 2013 
So, here it is, Part 2 on Food – friend or foe? (The friendly part)
For those who missed it, Part 1 is over here!

 

Now, I’m not a nutritionist, so you won’t be hearing me say to go out and eat bucket loads of kale (although I do hear its good for you!). I am a counsellor, so instead I’ll be talking about the mindsets & attitudes toward food & eating that can help it remain (or become!) a relaxed, healthy part of life.

Food as friend = Freedom

To start with, a healthy relationship with food needs to be based on freedom not control… so how do you define freedom with food?

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Food – friend or foe? Part 1

Philippa
18 January 2013 
Sorry it’s been awhile between posts – 
I’ve been busy growing a baby and surviving the silly season!
I’ve also found myself with gestational diabetes… :-(
Fortunately for me, it’s very mild and only lasts during pregnancy, but it 
has meant having a diet plan and monitoring my carb & sugar intake, which 
takes me back to that familiar place of focusing on food that I remember 
only too well from my dancing days. 
Hence the subject of today’s post (and my next one): Food – Friend or Foe? 
Enjoy!

 

I’ve always said that every dancer has a unique relationship with food.

As dancers, your body is your instrument and so how your body looks can easily affect how you feel about yourself (your self-confidence) and how others perceive you – including your teachers & directors.

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