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Progressing Ballet Technique - Why everyone needs to try it!


Progressing Ballet Technique

Why everyone needs to try PBT!

Back at the start of 2016 I began following the PBT social media pages. I was so fascinated by this new approach to teaching technique so as soon as a course was available that I could get to I booked on to find out more. I had the best time, it ignited a fire in my belly, I just couldn't wait to get started. I spent the next few months trying it out myself and adding some of the exercises into the classes I teach. I was amazed by the results I was seeing in not only myself but my students too and I had only used a few of the exercises.

The kids I teach get so excited every time I get the balls out, even the pre teens who tend to groan about everything being "too hard" in their mopey way look forward to it. As soon as we start they have a determination about them. They ask questions about the muscles they are feeling and we talk about how we should be feeling and engaging those same muscles when we take the exercise to standing. They now understand about "the supporting leg" and "the working leg", posture, the alignment of the pelvis and the core muscles. I see so many light bulb moments throughout the class which is what teaching is all about.

The class I really enjoy teaching PBT to is my adult ballet class. This is a class of the most welcoming ladies I have ever come across, any new students are welcomed with open arms into the class. Its a complete mixed ability class some with a lot of dance experience, some who used to dance in their youth and others who have never danced before in their lives. We start with a ballet barre, move to the centre for a few exercises and finish with around 20 mins of strengthening and stretching, usually PBT. This class has gained so much from using the balls. As adults we find it hard to change our posture and stretching feels almost impossible but nothing is impossible and these ladies of all ages and abilities have proved it!

I personally have benefitted greatly from PBT. As an ex professional dancer, teaching full time, with two small children and training towards my teaching qualifications I have encountered my fair share of injuries over the years. Now in my 30's I often forget how old I am and how the things I could do in my twenties aren't the things I can do now, usually resulting in another injury. Last year I retook a ballet exam that I did in my teens, the training it required was exhausting and really took its toll on me but I started using PBT as an additional training method to get my strength up and re engage with those all important muscles I had forgotten about. I have been using it for over a year now and I'm now even more passionate about introducing this to everyone!

Its not just for dancers!

Being called Progressing Ballet Technique most people brush it off as a ballet workout and don't give it a second thought. Although the actual syllabus is based around steps executed within a ballet class I have adapted it for non dancers too. My husband (who was a sound technician his whole working life) has now qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist! We often talk about the type of injuries he encounters many of which stem from day to day tasks or hobbies. Sitting at a desk all day, brick laying, plastering, carrying children, golfing, football, the list goes on. Most of these minor injuries are posture related, the long term solution is to recognise and correct bad posture and strengthen weaker areas of the body that are contributing to the issues.

My husband himself is currently working on his own posture, like many tall people he tends to hunch his shoulders forwards and he has the tightest hamstrings I have ever seen! I have managed to convince him to be a case study for me :) Over the next few weeks I will be teaching him some PBT and we are going to document the outcome. Subscribe to my blog now to receive updates!

Want to have a go yourself?

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me on 07590917699 or info@misscarladance.com

Sessions at your home/office:

Price will vary based on the location of the class so please ask for a personalised quote before booking(*, **)

£15 x 45min

£20 x 1hr

£30 x 1.5hr

£38 x 2hr

*Sessions within a studio are priced as above plus the studio fee

** Sessions outside the borough of Sutton may incur additional travel costs

Promotion:

Buy 4 sessions and get a 5th free or a free 30min massage with DB Sports Massage

www.dbsportsmassage.com

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