Career Options For Professional Dancers

January 16, 2017 by Ikin Dance

The best career options for professional dancers

Are you a professional dancer? Ever wondered what some of the best career options there are for you?

Graduating from dance school is exciting, as a whole new world awaits you. But if you can’t settle on a particular career, all that excitement can quickly turn to uncertainty.

If you’re wondering what you could try your hands (or legs) at, here are a few career options for professional dancers:-

Dance Teacher

One of the most common career choices for dancers is to become a dance teacher. You can choose to teach dance at a school or college, or even at a studio.

You could even create your own small business, where you teach students from your own home.

Being a dance teacher certainly doesn’t mean that you’re putting to one side your own aspirations to dance on stage elsewhere. It is however, a very rewarding job that keeps you physically active, and allows you to pass on your knowledge and skills to others.

You’re also doing a service to the world of dance. After all, without teachers there would be no dancers!

A Dance Videographer or Photographer

During your time dancing so far, there have probably been a few times when you were photographed or even filmed. As such, you might have a good idea regarding what is needed to become a dance videographer or photographer.

This is an exciting career path for someone still interested in dance. You know what to look for, and can anticipate great moments.

Nevertheless, you will need to invest a decent amount of money in buying the right equipment.

Yoga / Pilates Instructor

Becoming a yoga instructor doesn’t have to be a full-time career that you pursue. Instead, it could be something that you do part-time to keep you fit and healthy and keep some income rolling in.

As well as yoga, the language of dance also crosses over into Pilates. This is where a good grasp of kinaesthetic knowledge is a requisite to teach the mind-body techniques involved in these disciplines.

There are a variety of different types of yoga and Pilates that you can teach, and it’s really up to you to decide how many hours you work.

Becoming a yoga or Pilates instructor is an especially good career option for professional dancers who want to be a bit gentler to their body.

Dance Writer

If you want to try your hand at something a bit different and much less physical, becoming a dance writer is a very creative option.

This will really suit anyone presently suffering from a long-term injury who wants to remain in the field of dance, but who cannot currently engage in intensive physical activity.

You could write advice articles, dance blogs, or even performance reviews. Your knowledge and understanding of terminology is certainly something that even professional writers will not have!

These are just a few of the career options for professional dancers. There are more, you just have to put your thinking cap on!

Are you a dancer and looking for the best Gold Coast Dance School? Look no further! With world-class facilities and teaching staff who are leading industry professionals, there is no better place to enroll than at Ikin Dance Australia.

Students will not only make new friends but also gain confidence as they learn new exciting skills, technique, discipline, co-ordination and balance, all in a fun safe environment. Contact us today on 5522 1863!

World’s Best B-Boy Crews

November 14, 2016 by Ikin Dance

Battle Of The Year – The World’s Best B-Boy Crews!

On October 29^th 2016 some of the world’s best B-boy crews competed in the hugely popular Battle of the Year competition, usually referred to as ‘BOTY’. This spectacular event is currently held at Volkswagen Halle in Braunschweig, Germany.

It promises to be the best, and it delivered! Lots of surprises, plenty “what the heck” moments, and oodles of energy on-stage as these talented guys and gals busted a groove to prove that they are the best break-dances the world has ever seen.

In both 2015 and 2016 the tournament was dominated by B-boy crew Flooriorz, who hailed from Japan. It was yet another victory for an Asian nation, as South Korean crews had previously won in 2009, 2010 and 2013.

The Battle of the Year has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1990. Its aim was to give youngsters the opportunity to channel their energy into dancing, and by performing as a collective with their “crews”, they were able to learn about discipline, teamwork and friendship. They were also given the chance to express themselves in front of an audience.

Only 500 hard-core devotees turned out for the first Battle of the Year in 1990, but there was a mutual feeling that this so-called “world cup of b-boying” was onto something special. A German crew took the championship that year, and since then the popularity of the competition has grown into something unstoppable.

Last year, over 12,000 fans packed themselves into a screaming arena to watch Flooriorz take the title, with this year only growing stronger.

Battle of the Year is now massive. The spirit of break-dance has captured worldwide imaginations, and the scope of the platform is hugely international. Teams compete from all around the globe, with a diverse number of nations represented, from the U.S. to South Africa.

Last year’s tournament was the 25th, and as such it was extra special. But this year’s promise to be even more spectacular, as the awareness and profile of Battle of the Year have risen once again.

Moreover, the world’s best B-boy crews are getting better and better all the time, finding new ways of expressing themselves with creativity, originality, bravery and a sense of trickery, dare, imagination and pure fantasy.

Reclaiming their title this year was the amazing Flooriorz from Japan, and in 2^nd place was the spellbinding Melting Force from France.

We’re excited to watch this continually growing sensation of the world’s best B-boy crews perform at Battle every Year. Are you?

If this has tickled your interest in learning how to break-dance like the best B-Boys in the world, Ikin Dance Australia is the best Gold Coast dance school that can take you to that level. Break-dancing is just one of the genres of dance we specialise in. Contact us today on 5522 1863.

Health And Fitness Benefits Of Dancing

September 16, 2016 by Ikin Dance

The health and fitness benefits of dancing

What are the top health and fitness benefits of dancing you ask? Dancing has become hugely popular, largely thanks to the explosive success of television shows such as Dancing with the stars. All of a sudden, people not only want to watch other people dance – but we also want to try our hand (and feet) at it, too.

Dancing is not just a great way of letting off steam, having some fun, and getting up close and personal with your partner. It’s also a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. From losing weight to lowering stress, dancing could be the best thing you do this year. Let’s take a look at the health and fitness benefits of dancing.

Dancing Boosts Your Memory

As you shake your hips and thrust your stomach, you’re also giving your brain a good shake up. As well as ensuring that you look graceful on the dance floor, dancing can also help you age graciously.

This is because aerobic exercise not only prevents loss of volume in the hippocampus (the centre of emotion, memory, and the autonomic nervous system), but it also reverses it.

The hippocampus controls your memory, and as you get older it starts to shrink. This can lead to memory loss, and also dementia.

Dancing Improves Flexibility

If you’ve ever witnessed a proper dance show, you’d have seen some crazy moves, including the arabesque (standing on one leg) and the plies (bending of the knees.) Maybe you thought they were all for show, and that twisting your body like a rope is purely for aesthetic reasons.

Nope. Contorting your body improves flexibility, which in turn can ease joint pain. The crazier your dance moves are, the more flexible you become.

Dancing Can Lower Stress

In 2016, people are more stressed than ever before. and dancing could be the ideal pick-me-up for everyone – young and old.

Losing yourself in a tango with a partner can bring you so much joy and happiness that you and your body literally forgets all about your troubles. Reducing stress has never been so much fun.

Dancing Can Eradicate Depression

If you’re feeling the blues, you might want to get up and dance to some jazz. Dancing can lift your spirits so much that it can alleviate symptoms of depression.

Grab yourself a friend, and head out to the dance floors tonight!

Dancing Is Great For Your Heart

If you’re at risk of cardiovascular disease, dancing could help. People with heart conditions, or who have difficulty breathing, can improve their health and fitness immeasurably by taking up dancing instead of moderate physical activities, such as walking.

Dancing Can Help You Lose Weight

There is more than one way to drop those kg’s, but if you’re tired of trying to lose weight by hitting the gym, or surviving on a diet of dark leafy greens, you could try something more fun instead – like dancing!

The health and fitness benefits of dancing are plentiful. Being the best Gold Coast Dance School, Ikin Dance Australia have a little something for everyone – commercial jazz, acrobatics, hip hop, competition aerobics, break-dance, cheerleading and so much more. We offer a FREE trial class so you can test the waters before you jump in. Call 5522 1863 today and book in for some booty shaking fun!

History Of The Moulin Rouge

July 20, 2016 by Ikin Dance

The history of the Moulin Rouge

One of the most popular landmarks in Paris – France, the Moulin Rouge has been a part of Parisian history since 1889. The history of the Moulin Rouge is a coloured one at best; however, today the Moulin Rouge is a place where Parisians and tourists like to visit for a great cabaret experience.

Founded by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler, the Moulin Rouge created a place for entertainment that would appeal to a diverse crowd. However, if you know anything about the history of the Moulin Rouge, it quickly became known as an establishment for men to view the dance moves of young Parisians girls and calling it a “house of ill-repute” was definitely a name the Moulin Rouge acquired.

One of the most interesting and notable parts of the Moulin Rouge is its interesting exterior architecture. Built in the “red light district” of Paris, the façade of the Moulin Rouge was, and still is covered in glittering electric lights. However, during the late 1800s, these lights were a novelty and something that definitely made the Moulin Rouge stand out. The huge, red windmill fixed atop the entrance to the building is most certainly a very famous part of the history of the Moulin Rouge. The windmill is said to be indicative of the history of the Montmarte, the village of many windmills that stood in this then-rural part of Paris before it became developed. There were 44 windmills said to be in this area prior to its development and “all were welcome” in the windmill, which were said to double as brothels; hence, the original founders of the Moulin Rouge included a little history of this part of Paris by donning the windmill over the entrance.

During this time, the can-can dance was experiencing great popularly, and the Moulin Rouge was certainly not short of can-can dancers performing for their audience who were out for an extravagant and entertaining night in Paris. The elaborate décor, unconventional architecture and location in the “red light” district of Paris made the Moulin Rouge well-known quickly throughout the world.

The history of the Moulin Rouge has been riddled with transformations. After World War 1, the theatre continued to be a host to musicals and cabaret shows. However, after the owner’s death, the Moulin Rouge was turned into a cinema until the early 1950s when new owners, Georges France and Vince Auriol, revitalized the music hall into a dinner spectacular show, hoping to bring a true cabaret experience to the audience and attracted high-end clientele.

Through the years, the Moulin Rouge has changed from an unofficial brothel, to a frequented music hall. Though the adult appeal is still important to note, the over 100 performers wear extravagant costumes accented with feathers and rhinestones, performing under dazzling lights and colourful music.

Today, patrons from all over the world can see the history of the Moulin Rouge performed by the amazing performers each night at 10pm. The famous can-can is still executed to a packed audience and there does not seem to be any future changes to this iconic cabaret venue.

If you’d like to learn how to dance with flair like the Moulin Rouge performers, Ikin Dance Australia is the place to be. We specialise in lyrical, jazz, acrobatics, and so much more! Call us today on 5522 1863 and we can walk you through our timetable.

Build Self Confidence For The Stage

May 19, 2016 by Ikin Dance

How to build self confidence for the stage

Stage fright is something that can afflict us all, whether we’re learning our trade as a performer for the first time, or whether you’ve been singing, acting or dancing for a few years. If you’re looking for ways to conquer your stage demons and be the best you can be, here are a few top tips on how to build self confidence for the stage.

Learn To Relax

The mind and body are interrelated. If your body is tense, your mind will be tense, and vice versa.

For this reason, it’s super important that you are able to relax your body before you get out on stage. You could start by eating a banana before you have to take to the stage. Bananas are a great and easy way of reducing pangs of nausea and shakiness.

You could also chew gum, which is a great way to work your facial muscles, thereby reducing tension.

You could also try stretching your legs, arms, shoulders, back and neck. This will reduce muscle tension, enhance muscular coordination, help circulate blood all over the body, intensify movement in your joints, and surge energy levels.

Meditation Is Magic

As mentioned above, the mind and body are connected. Just like a tense body can make your mind tense, a tense mind can make your body seize up.

A great way to free your mind of tension is to empty it of wandering, negative thoughts, and the best way to do this is meditating.

On the morning of your performance, you could try and put aside a few minutes (fifteen minutes will do) to meditate. Find yourself a quiet place, before closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing. Become aware of your breathing and zone in on it.

Thoughts will flow through your mind, but don’t try to fight them; just acknowledge them, be aware of them, and let them pass. Enjoy this quiet time!

Avoid Caffeine

There are productive ways to give yourself a boost of energy before a performance and unproductive ways, and caffeine is always an unproductive way.

Caffeine can make you feel jittery and anxious, especially if you’re already feeling the early signs of stage fright creeping up on you.

Instead, eat fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit on an empty stomach gives you instant energy without the nasty crashes associated with caffeine.

Think Positive Thoughts

Success starts with belief. If you tell yourself you can’t do something, you won’t do it.

Likewise, if you picture yourself collapsing during your performance because stage fright has weakened your knees and ankles, you are more likely to have a bad night.

Spend the day of your performance visualising success. Picture yourself having a great night on stage, taking the applause and executing every single line / move with perfection.

Tell yourself in the morning that you can do this. Look at yourself in the mirror and repeat the maxim, “I can do this” over and over.

Plan Your Day

If you don’t plan your day properly, you might end up arriving to the theatre late. This will leave you frustrated, flustered – and even a little anxious.

If you plan your day properly, you have a much better chance of turning up on time. This will ensure that you feel in control, which is vital for confidence.

Take your time to get acquainted with the theatre and the stage. Have a walk around, chat to other people and go through your lines or dance moves.

Ikin Dance Australia is one of Queensland’s leading Dance studios based on the Gold Coast. With world-class facilities and teaching staff who are leading industry professionals, there is no better place to enrol. Not only will you make new friends, but you will also gain confidence as you learn new exciting skills, technique, discipline, co-ordination and balance, all in a fun safe environment.

We have classes that cater to all age groups and abilities. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a professional wanting to keep up your training we have something for everyone. Call 5522 1863 now!

Best Bio On Justin Timberlake

March 14, 2016 by Ikin Dance

The best bio on Justin Timberlake “The Man”

The best bio on Justin Timberlake is one that hasn’t been written, until now. One that brings together all that is “The Man,” Justin Timberlake, concisely and truthfully. Justin Timberlake is “The Man” and everyone loves to talk about him. But who is he really? Find out..

Early Years

Justin Timberlake was born in 1981 in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up singing in his church choir and found himself performing on The New Mickey Mouse Club alongside then unknown talents like, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

After 2 years of gaining fame with The New Mickey Mouse Club, Timberlake joined with a co-star and some other wanna-be stars to form NSYNC and the rest, as they say, is history.

Timberlake’s career was never the same. The boy band would become one of the hottest pop groups of the 1990’s, with hit songs like ‘Bye Bye Bye’ and ‘I want you back’ constantly tearing it up on the radio stations across the globe.

His Singing Career

After hitting it big with NSYNC, Timberlake decided to try his luck with a solo career in 2002. He received two Grammy awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2004. He became infamous for his hand in the controversial Janet Jackson Super Bowl half-time performance, where Timberlake accidentally tore off a portion of Jackson’s costume and exposing her. Ooops!

Timberlake went on to have several successful collaborations with other pop star groups and solo artists including, the Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dog, Timbaland, Jay-Z, Nelly Furtado and the list goes on. Though he continued his solo career with the release of his second solo album in 2005, he also collaborated with Madonna providing complimentary vocals and songwriting skills.

In 2013, Timberlake released another solo single followed by another chart-climbing album. He also won the VMA Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, at which he gave a memorable performance during a long-awaiting NSYNC reunion performance. What a show that was!

His Acting Career

Furthermore to his varied songwriting and singing talents, Timberlake was also an aspiring actor. Though he started off shaky with some unmentionable roles, he soon began making a name for himself in the acting arena, after teaming up with Mike Myers in Shrek the Third, as the voice of young King Arthur. Bet most of you didn’t know that!

Timberlake soon found himself on a role in the acting industry, making several films with notable actors such as Mike Myers, Carmeron Diaz, and Ben Affleck. His most notable role to date was his 2010 role as real-life internet tycoon Sean Parker in the film ‘The Social Network’, a movie about the creation of Facebook. That was a great film!

But his acting didn’t stay to the big screen. Timberlake also made a name for himself in the television industry including, appearances on Saturday Night Live, which earned him two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009 and 2011.

His Personal Life

No best bio on Justin Timberlake would be complete without a visit to his personal life. His much publicised relationship with co-star Britney Spears, made him famous before he was famous.

Later, his relationship with co-star Cameron Diaz receive equal tabloid time. However most recently, his relationship with actress Jessica Biel, which started in 2007, culminated with their extravagant Italian wedding in 2012, and the birth of their son Silas in 2015. What a cutie he is!

In addition to his multi-talented adventures in the music and acting worlds, Justin Timberlake has opened several restaurants, started his own clothing line, and participated in humanitarian efforts in his native Tennessee.

Justin Timberlake is a multi-talented, philanthropic, entrepreneur, with his hand and talents in many facets of the American dream. However, in the end Timberlake is simply a happily married, talented husband and father with a heart of gold.

If this has inspired you to do something more with your life, why not try your luck at dancing with some of the best at Ikin Dance Australia. We specialise in jazz, acrobatics, break dance, lyrical, competition dance, cheerleading and so much more.

Contact us today on 5522 1863 with any questions regarding our Gold Coast dance studio.

Hip Hop Dance

November 13, 2015 by Ikin Dance

What’s so hip about hip hop dance

Hip hop dance is almost as old as hip hop. First there was hip hop, and then there was hip hop dance. It’s something of an umbrella term as it comprises a number of different styles, including popping, locking and breaking, all of which were developed in the seventies. Pretty soon, the whole planet was doing the infectious hip hop dance.

Eighties films helped to push hip hop dance into the mainstream. The Internet has pushed it even further into the public consciousness, and there now exists several hip hop dance competitions throughout Europe. Despite originating in the seventies, it is still going strong. But what exactly is so hip about hip hop dance? Let’s take a look.

Hip Hop Dance Celebrates Culture

Hip hop actually has its origins in 1940’s, when African Americans would “hip hop” about town. The actual term didn’t really come to any kind of prominence until the 1970’s though, when Afrika Bambaataa was forging a culture that brought together breaking, graffiti, deejaying and emceeing. Bambaataa decided to call this culture hip-hop.

In many ways, dancing to the hip-hop beat in 2015 is like a celebration of a bygone era; a time when African American’s were finding their feet (literally) and establishing a brand new cultural phenomenon.

It Can Be Done Anywhere!

Hip hop dance is pretty much the opposite of ballet. There is no-one telling you what to do, and nor do you have to go to some giant hall in order to do it. Indeed, you can do it anywhere. You can do it in the street, down a back alley, in a parking lot, a warehouse, or even in your own garage!

I’m sure you could even do it at your grandmother’s house if you asked nicely!

Hip Hop Dance Brings Communities Together

Because hip hop dance largely springs up in urban areas, it means that what often happens is a whole community engage in it together. Think of it like a Mexican wave – something that starts out small, blossoms into this whole wave of feeling that lots of people get involved in. Hip hop dance is a form of individual expression, but, like most forms of dance, it’s also a very communal and collective form of expression that doesn’t discriminate. If you want to get involved, get involved!

Hip Hop Dance Means Something Different To Each Person

Because there are a number of different styles – including the aforementioned popping, breaking and locking – hip hop dance is something that often means different things to different people. In this sense, it’s hard to define what hip hop dance actually is. Breaking, which emerged in the early 70s, varies wildly from locking, which both vary wildly from popping. What’s great is that, whilst hip hop dance is so versatile and incredibly flavoursome, all styles still return to the fundamentals of hip hop.

More than anything, hip hop dance is a celebration of life and living in the moment. It’s a form of expression that sees us let loose and take pleasure in the beat. So the next time you fancy a dance, why not stick on some hip hop and indulge in some locking?

If you’ve always wanted to learn hip hop, but need that little push, this is it. The best dance school in QLD have a dance class, which focuses on the latest hip hop moves and styles seen on the dance scene today. This fun-filled class will have you popping and locking to upbeat music from various hip hop genres and to the latest hip hop tracks. You’ll look like a pro in no time! Call us today on 5522 1863.

Fred Astaire

October 16, 2015 by Ikin Dance

Who is Fred Astaire???

If you haven’t heard of Fred Astaire, you must be from another planet. Let us tell you about the legend that is Fred Astaire. He continues to live on a quarter of a century after his death. Now that says something!

Fred Astaire boasts a career spanning over 75 years. Pretty impressive don’t you think? Beginning at an early age as a brother –sister vaudeville act with his sister Adele in New York in 1905, Fred Astaire had a chance meeting with George Gershwin when he was just 14, a meeting that would change his life as well as Gershwin’s.

Ironically, Fred Astaire wasn’t too keen on song and dance and even refused dance lessons in the beginning; however, his natural talent soon out-shined his sisters. They appeared in their first Broadway show in 1917 and went on to begin a long list of Broadway shows, including several with Gershwin.

In 1928, the Astaire’s went to Hollywood to screen test but were told they were not suited for film. Don’t you wonder what happened to the guy that decided that? However, in 1932, when his sister Adele decided to leave the team to get married, Astaire began the trek to his now known iconic career.

Teaming for the first time with his greatest dance partner, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire worked on a new flavour to his dancing that quickly changed the minds of Hollywood, making him VERY suited for films. Though Fred Astaire had many dance partners, even considering his famous dance pairing with Gene Kelly as one of them, Ginger Rogers is considered the dance partner associated with Fred Astaire.

Fred Astaire made 31 musical films and numerous television specials over the years, in addition to his many Broadway hits. Known for his style, class, and talent, Fred Astaire was all gentleman and continued to be a contributor to Broadway and film throughout his whole life. Always modest about his talents, Fred Astaire’s Broadway and film career spanned from 1933 to 1981. He passed away in June of 1987 at the age of 88.

As a choreographer, singer, musician, dancer, and actor, Fred Astaire goes down in history as one of the most famous legends in American film.

If you have the love for dance like Fred Astaire, and would like to learn how to move to the groove as good as he did, contact the best dance school on the Gold Coast, Ikin Dance Australia on 5522 1863. We provide top level training in all styles of dance, with some of the most talented teachers in the world.

Anna Pavlova

August 12, 2015 by Ikin Dance

All about Anna Pavlova

For fans of the ballet, Anna Pavlova is synonymous with the art form. Born in Russia in 1881, her short life was fiercely devoted to her art, and she became famous for being the first ever ballerina to tour the world. How cool is that!

Early Life

Born to unwed parents, Anna Pavlova’s fascination with ballet began at an early age, when her mother, Lyubov Feodorovna, took her to see a production of The Sleeping Beauty at the nearby Imperial Maryinsky Theatre. Pavlova was lit by the flames of artistry, and not long afterwards, her mother allowed her to audition for the Imperial Ballet School. Because she was only nine years-old and had what was described as a “gaunt” appearance, she was rejected.

A year later, however, things began to look up and the young, sparkly Anna Pavlova was at last accepted into the school, appearing on stage in A Fairy Tale soon afterwards. Pavlova had to work hard to reap rewards, for she was not naturally inclined to Classical ballet. She would return home with aching feet, throbbing ankles and her unusually long limbs didn’t work in tandem with her petite body. Christened by her classmates with nicknames such as, The Broom, Anna Pavlova found that to get where she wanted to be, she would have to be tireless in her dedication.

Pavlova graduated from the school at the age of 18 in 1899, and made her debut at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre not long later in a performance of The False Dryads. It was really this performance that sowed the seeds for her future success, as she cultivated high praise from the critics.

Style

Anna Pavlova developed a style that was in stark contrast to the strict academicism that prevailed at the time; she surprised and even alarmed audiences with her bent knees, as well as her bad turnout and misplaced tours. Still, she also attracted great praise from members of the public who saw that she was fresh, invigorating and current. She offered something different that was alive with a sort of fever that Russian audiences by and large welcomed. Pavlova went on to perform in ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty, The Pharaoh’s Daughter and La Camargo whilst in Russia. Energetic, and performing with weak ankles, Anna Pavlova would occasionally stumble but not without grace.

The Dying Swan

Anna Pavlova is most famous for creating and developing the role of The Dying Swan. The ballet was put together in 1905, with Pavlova creating the entirely original solo role that was choreographed by Michel Fokine. She went on to perform it 4,000 times, her willingness to do so perhaps helped by the fact that it is a short ballet that lasts for just 4 minutes. The Dying Swan follows the last moments of a swan’s life, with Anna saying that she was inspired by the swans she had seen in the parks, as well as the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem, “The Dying Swan.”

England

Anna Pavlova left Russia for England in 1912, settling in London where she would spend the rest of her days. She lived in a house that was surrounded by a lake in which her pet swans swam, and which was used for a film about her life, Anna Pavlova. Pavlova’s creativity continued in London, and she played a huge hand in the development of British ballet, with the great Alicia Markova admitting that Pavlova was her biggest inspiration.

Anna Pavlova enjoyed her life of dancing and tranquillity in England, though she did travel the world to perform to new audiences too. She was introduced to the U.S. in 1914, and it was whilst touring in The Hague that she came down with pneumonia. Her illness brought with it a catch-22 situation; she was told that her grave condition required surgery, but she would not be able to dance ever again if went through with the operation. Staunchly insisting that she would rather be dead than unable to dance, Anna Pavlova refused surgery and died of pleurisy just three weeks before her 50th birthday.

If you’d like to become a remarkable ballet dancer just like Anna Pavlova, you have to start somewhere. Ikin Dance Australia provides top level training in ballet. Our teachers are of the highest calibre and our friendly staff pride themselves on making your entire experience at Ikin Dance as pleasant and rewarding as possible. So call us now on 5522 1863.

What Dancing Can Do For Your Body

July 13, 2015 by Ikin Dance

What dancing can do for your body – Take a look

Ever been asked by your partner to dance but refused because you’ve got two left feet? What about that time you went out with your friends who invited you to the dance floor but you shuffled your feet awkwardly, looked to the ground and said you’ll be alright standing on your own in the corner?

If you’ve been asked to dance but always refused because you think it’s silly, it’s high time that you discovered what dancing can do for your body. As well as be a fantastic self-esteem booster, dancing comes with an array of health benefits that promote happiness and well-being. Let’s take a look at what dancing can do for your body.

Dancing Can Improve Your Memory

Our memories are one of our most important assets, as well as maintaining a healthy diet, there are other ways to make sure that our memory keeps ticking over – such as dancing. Dancing can help to reverse the amount of volume loss in your hippocampus, the area of your brain that controls memory. As we get older, our hippocampus invariably shrinks, but to preserve it for longer, you should think about getting down to the Bee Gees a bit more often.

Dancing Makes You Flexible

One of the best things that dancing can do for your body is that it can make you more bendy. Just look at those ballerinas – they’re certainly not as stiff as a piece of cardboard! If you’re worried about aching joints, and if you’re having difficult lifting things, dancing could be the best thing you’ve ever done. It will free up your muscles and joints, easing soreness and pain. A more limber you is a better you.

Dancing Is Great For Heart Health

Come on, we know you love your heart. We all love our hearts, but the problem is that too many of us neglect to take good care of it. We subject it to an awful diet as well as absolutely no exercise. If you want to combine fun with helping your heart, dancing is a fantastic way to do this. People who have suffered heart failure in the past took up dancing and inevitably improved their cardiovascular health. Their breathing was miles better, as was their quality of life. In fact, dancing is better for your heart than cycling or walking!

Dancing Can Banish The Blues

People who feel down just love to get up and dance to help them feel better. Dancing is an upbeat, feel good activity, and when you dance with an energetic partner their energy flows into you. You forget about all your cares and not only do you feel like you’re accomplishing something, but you feel amazing. Even if you’re just dancing at a club to a few rock and roll tunes, dancing is an excellent way of making you feel better about the world at large.

Dancing Can Help You Lose Weight

A great thing that dancing can do for your body is that it can help you to shed any excess weight. The more you dance, the leaner you become, and because dancing is fun, it’s a much better way of shedding that extra poundage than subjecting yourself to a rigorous diet, or cycling for 20 miles.

Dancing is simply one of the most fun things you’ll ever do, and because it comes with a whole heap of bonuses, we can’t think of a reason not to put on your glad rags and boogie. So, what are you waiting for? Stick on that stereo and dance your cares away.

If you’re wanting to learn from the best how to shake your thing to the rhythm of the music, contact the best dance school on the Gold Coast on 07 5522 1863. At Ikin Dance Australia our talented teachers specialise in jazz, acrobatics, break dance, lyrical, sport aerobics, competition dance, cheer-leading and more!

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