Thursday 27 February 2014

Dance Studio Equipment: An Olympic Investment?

Fresh off the Olympic Winter games in Sochi, with visions of snowboarders and and ice skaters dancing in your heads, perhaps you have felt a fresh motivation to excel in your chosen sport. Having seen first-hand what commitment and dedication can accomplish, you have determined to invest more time in the studio and have renewed your commitment to eat right, sleep well, and train hard.

Perhaps you have also have taken time to consider your opinion regarding this old debate: should dance be recognized as an Olympic sport? 

During the London summer games in 2012, Dance Spirit Magazine fostered an online discussion regarding this exact question. The feedback they garnered proved an interesting read:

Pretty much everyone agreed that dancers are athletes. But is dance a sport? On the “yes” side, several of you argued that dancers in many styles already compete—they’re already judged on theoretically objective criteria. Often, they’re even awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. And top dancers definitely work as hard as Olympians. On the “no” side, there was a lot of discussion about the subjectivity of artistry. (Dance Spirit)

Of course, no one in their right minds would claim that dancers are not athletes. Dancers train harder and maintain better muscle tone and coordination than athletes of many other (seemingly "harder") disciplines. In addition to acquiring technical skills, dancers must also maintain an air of grace, elegance, style, and flair. 


Whether or not you think dance should be recognized as an Olympic sport, surely you agree that quality dance studio equipment is a smart investment. If you are looking to upgrade either your home studio or professional studio equipment, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to providing you with the tools that you need to excel.

Friday 21 February 2014

From Creative Promotion Tactics to a Portable Ballet Barre: Tips on Starting a Successful Dance Studio


While deciding to open your own dance studio can fill you with joy and fear at the same time, properly preparing for this monumental occasion can ease some of your anxieties. Provided below are some basic rules you should follow while you are formulating your plans to create a successful studio.

Target Audience

Your first step in planning should concentrate around who your studio will cater to. If your goal is teaching young children ballet, your location and studio design will need to accommodate that choice. On the other hand, if teaching an older audience is your mission, your decisions will most likely differ on some fronts. While you may want to appeal to a variety of age groups and dance styles, you should still select a core market that you initially wish to attract to your business.

Location

The importance of selecting the right location should never be overlooked. Potential students are often drawn to spots that are convenient for their everyday life. If your dance studio is primarily focused on a youth audience, you should try and find a spot that is near a school. When adults are your main clientele, a location that is in your towns downtown area or near the business district is a good choice.

Studio Design

Now comes the fun part. Selecting your dance studio equipment and the interior design will truly bring your dream to life. Whether your studio has one classroom or multiple rooms, creating an uplifting environment is a big part in recruiting students and keeping them happy. A high quality ballet barre is essential to every well equipped dance studio. Choosing a portable barre brings a large amount of freedom to your classroom design, especially if your studio is smaller, or you teach numerous dance styles. Floor to ceiling Mirrors covering at least one wall is also highly recommended, along with mats and a spring wood floor, which provides cushioning to lessen the impact your joints take while dancing.

Marketing and Promotion

Your business won't receive the attention you desire if you don't take the time to promote it properly. While your basic marketing techniques are always important, taking a more creative stance can help your dance studio take off. If you are looking to recruit younger students, you should consider approaching the local school district. You can offer to host a free class by using your portable ballet barre in the school's gym. This will help attract new students and it will also educate parents and kids on the importance of an active lifestyle. If adults are your key audience, a grand opening that showcases the dance styles you teach while providing a session of free instruction is an excellent way of getting people to visit your studio for the first time.

While opening a dance studio can send your stress levels skyrocketing, here at Boss Ballet Barres, we can help alleviate some of your anxieties by introducing you to our high quality and reasonably priced dance barres. If you would like to view our selection of barres, please contact us today, and we'll be happy to help you any way we can.

Friday 7 February 2014

Invigorate Your Workout Routine By Adding a Ballet Barre to Your Home Gym

If you're redesigning your home's workout room and you're looking to spice up your exercise routine, purchasing a Boss Ballet Barre may be the right choice for you. A ballet-inspired workout is great for toning and sculpting your legs and core while improving your balance and flexibility. To help you get started on your new routine, we've listed 3 ballet-based exercises to perform on your barre.

Foot Positioning

To make your foray into barre exercises easier, it's important to learn two basic ballet foot positions. First is foot position one, where you put your heels together with your toes facing out in a 45 degree angle. Second is foot position two which is similar to position one, but instead of keeping your heels together you will separate them until your legs are a tad wider than your hips. Knowing these two positions are enough to get you started with a few fundamental exercises.

Piles

Stand with your right hip facing the ballet barre and place your right hand on the barre, but resist the urge to hold it with a firm grip. Start with your feet in position one and bend your knees until they are over your toes. After going about halfway down, stand back up. While performing this exercise your back should stay straight, and your heels should not leave the floor. Once you've done 12 to 15 repetitions, change your feet to position two. In position two, try lowering yourself until your thighs are perfectly parallel to the floor. Unlike position one, your heels will leave the floor as you bend your knees, but your back must always stay straight.

Relves

While in foot position one, face your ballet barre. Gently place both of your hands on the barre to help you balance. With a straight back and locked knees raise up onto your toes and then slowly lower yourself until your heels are back on the ground. You should do at least 15 to 20 repetitions. This exercise will help you strengthen your calf and ankle muscles.

Arabesque 

To begin, face the ballet barre in first position with your hands gently resting on it. While flexing your abdominal muscles, slowly reach one of you legs back while the other leg stays firmly planted on the ground. The leg that is moving should not bend and should be slightly turned out. Lift your leg as high as you can without compromising your bodies positioning. Once at your highest point, hold your leg in that spot for two counts and then slowly lower it back to foot position one. You should repeat this exercise 12 to 15 times with both legs. This exercise is great for toning your legs and buttocks.

If you're interested in adding a Boss Ballet Barre to your home gym, please contact us, and we'll help you find the perfect barre for your needs.