Blogging from the Heart

Can this show get any better?!? And to answer my own rhetorical question, YES! Yes, it can! Every week I am amazed at the new choreography and how the dancers are able to learn so much choreography - let alone a whole new style of dance.

Sad to hear that there was another injury this week. Should we be concerned about how hard these dancers are being pushed/pushing themselves? Check out Alex Wong's interview at: (go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzaVJQAeLOU - 0:52 to 1:30 to hear what his thoughts were on how hard the dancers are pushed).

Not sure how I felt about the Tahitian dance - can I say it ruffled my feathers? :) A much better "cultural style" than the Russian folk dance (c'mon - I know that's what popped into your head when you first heard "cultural"...) from a few seasons back. But I think if the judges are going to judge a dance they should have *some* knowledge of the style! Even if they just had Adam Shankman's friend from the audience as a guest judge...

Whoa, salsa baby! (And I'm not talking about the hot mama's who are wearing their babies at a dance fitness class...) Full of crazy tricks that I wasn't sure would actually make it to the stage because of the risks. Kudos for Anya for doing TWO All Star performances last night!

Sorry Jose, but you could be in the bottom tonight. Not sure if America would put you there, but that Broadway piece did not cut it. It was empty, there was no connection between the dancers, I didn't even like the breakdancing infusions. I thought it was a choreographical mess. (I just made that word up, thank you).

Oh Robert! The piece about/for Travis' mom made a mess out of me. Even once I'd gone to bed a few hours later this piece was playing over and over in my head. My mom is a breast cancer survivor and I was pregnant when she was doing her chemotherapy. In fact, she was in the delivery room when my daughter was born, wearing her wig and doing her best to calm her stomach. I remember when her hair started falling out and she asked me to shave it. My dad couldn't even be in the room when we did it. Then my husband let my mom buzz his hair off. ALL of these memories (and more) came rushing back during this dance! What a choreographical masterpiece! And the dancers danced the characters to a tee. I could also see my mom helping me through some of the darker times in my life through this dance. Thank you SYTYCD for this - I needed it!

Poor Billy had to follow that amazing piece! It wasn't bad, in fact it was great to see him let loose and enjoy his dance. And another heel caught in a dress...that's 4 times!

Kent and Neil and Broadway and baseball. Wow - can I just throw out there that my husband is a former baseball player, and that was nothing like any of the practices he had ever done! At first I didn't realize that it was a Broadway piece and I thought it was super cheesy and silly. But after I was reminded of the style it was fun. (I swear I know Neil from somewhere, so I get distracted everytime I watch him...yeah, that's right...)

Billy and Lauren - such a cute number! Loved the concept and it was danced amazingly! I think Billy found his groove last night and it was so enjoyable to watch him. Yay!

Jose had a chance to redeem himself after the not-so-great Broadway number, and did he? Apparently, in the eyes of the judges. In my eyes, I didn't think it was as great as the judges said. Sure there were some rad tricks, and they are both great bboys, but the number just wasn't up to Jose's normal standards.

What a fun end to the show - Adechike and Kent doing contemporary. Loved the story, except for me at times it looked like Adechike was pushing the chair/girl towards Kent and that was the opposite of what we were told the storyline was. I'm a sucker for storylines, I'll admit it! The technical parts were FAN-tastic. Those jumps were giselle - oops, I mean gazelle-like, and seeing Nigel do a pirouette in his chair made my night. Can't wait to see what tomorrow night brings!

~ Stacy

This is a very fun rainy day activity or take it outside on a nice day for less clean up. We did this project at our Art-Tastic Tots camp. It could be two separate projects (tissue paper shapes collage and Textured Salty Watercolors) or layers them for a multi-process affect (like we did).

What you need:

• Card Stock Paper (holds up much better then regular weight paper)
• Tissue paper cut into a variety of shapes (or torn if you don't want to focus on shapes)
• White Glue mixture (50% glue, 50% water)
• Pponge brush (6 packs available at the $1 store)
• White glue
• table salt
• Watercolors (we like the Crayola Watercolor palates for kids)
• Soft paint brush (plastic bristle brushes don't work)
• Tray with raised lip

What to do:

1. Have children use glue mixture to paint on tissue paper. We found painting some mixture on the paper, sticking the tissue down and then painting over top worked best. Use glue mixture sparingly to avoid tearing and bunching the tissue (unless that is the look you are going for). Encourage the children to layer tissue paper to create different colors and affects.
2. Let tissue collage dry.
3. Squirt white glue (not mixtures) in designs over top of collage.
4. Put glue covered collage in tray and cover with salt. Gently tap away extra salt.
5. Using a very wet paint brush choose a water color and gently tap brush along the salty glue. The salt will absorb the paint and spread over the salt. Continue with different colors. Using a very wet, paint filled brush is key!
6. Let dry over night.

And voila! A beautiful, colorful piece of art that teaches kids about colors, shapes and texture!

While programs like Salsa Babies are relatively new by historical standards, the practice of dancing with your baby is a safe and beneficial activity that has been practiced across culture and history. It is also a practice that is considered safe by current scientific research.

Women have been wearing their babies for hundreds of years. While recently the benefits surrounding baby wearing as a parenting practice have focused mainly on emotional development and relationship between mom and baby, in earlier periods baby wearing was a practical method that allowed mothers to continue with their day to day activities needed for survival while tending to infants and toddlers. Babies accompanied mothers as they cooked, cleaned, farmed, tended to older children and participated in community activities and celebrations carried in a variety of different positions and carriers depending on the geographical location and period in time. Dance being a large part of many celebrations, babies also learned about their culture by actively being included, strengthening their understanding of their environment.

Here is a link to a video that shows a group of women in Benin, celebrating their babies immunizations with a dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4gPp067GE

In cultures where babies and children are exposed to dance on a regular basis as a normal part of life, they become very good dancers at a very young age. Here is another link to favorite video of mine featuring a Brazilian baby dancing an excellent Samba:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTN2u1NG3Yo&feature=email

Babies who are worn while dancing are in the quiet alert state (a state of alertness in which babies are primarily focused on receiving information about the world around them) or active alert state (a state of alertness in which babies are primarily focused on responding to their environment), allowing them to learn about and react to the world around them from a perspective they can not engage in on their own. While a baby may not be able to move their bodies to a salsa rhythm on their own, their brains develop and respond to the aural and kinesthetic (physical) stimulation they receive while dancing with a parent.

Here is a link to a video and article looking at how babies engage in active alert state when they are exposed to rhythmic music:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35880077/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Many babies are so soothed by the similarity of being worn while dancing to their experience in the womb, that they fall into the sleeping state. My experience has been this is particularly common of babies who are under 6 months of age.

There is also more and more research pointing to the many benefits of babies being exposed to movement. An educator and mother whose work I find truly inspirational is Seattle's Creative Dance Center Founder and Artistic Director Anne Green Gilbert. I had the opportunity to study under Gilbert at her summer dance institute on Brain Compatible Dance Education. Here is a link for an article she has written on the importance of dance for babies:

http://www.creativedance.org/resources/files/DanceforBabies.pdf

Safety is also a very important factor when dancing with your baby. Baby wearing is a very personal decision for mom and baby. It is important to choose a carrier and position you feel comfortable and confident with. Think about what activities you will be using it for and what period of time. Also be sure to check your carrier for signs of damage and wear according to the manufacturer's guidelines. While my opinion is a wrap carrier is the most comfortable and versatile, moms have been most successful in our program when they have picked a carrier that works for them. A few basic guidelines:

• Babies under 4 months of age or babies that are sleeping should be worn facing in and head support provided.
• Parents should always be aware that baby's airway is not blocked and their head should be upright. If their chin is resting on their chest this can cause airway obstruction. A baby that cannot support it's own head again should be worn face in with head support.
• Carriers should fit parents snuggly to provide the greatest support for both baby and wearer.

There has been much debate in the baby wearing community about the safety and developmental concerns with babies being worn facing out. The greatest cause for concern general comes from the theory that wearing a baby in a face out position puts too much stress on the spine (Spondylosis). However, research by Dr. Evelin Kirkilionis revealed that there is no correlation between spinal stress or postural damage and being worn in a upright position. Her recommendations were that parents should use common sense when using any carrier and if parents plan on wearing their child for an extended period of time they should use a variety of holds so that the child and wearer do not put strain on any one area of the body.

Dancing with your baby is a safe, low impact fitness option for moms that helps to fight much more pressing and epidemic health issues facing Canadians, obesity and mental illness. In the article Preventing Postpartum Weight Retention, (American Family Physician, Aug. 1/02), the author demonstrates the correlation between increased obesity and the postpartum period, and the importance of exercise in postpartum weight loss. The Mood Disorder Society of Canada claims that 15-20% of women suffer from Postpartum Depression (PPD). Common suggestions for women suffering from PPD are exercise, creating a support network, avoiding isolation, and taking time for themselves (www. emedicinehealth.com). Dancing with baby encourages moms to engage in a fitness regime that encourages the benefits of babywearing, bond with their baby, create a social network with other moms, and take the steps needed to be a fulfilled woman, in addition to being a mom.

For myself, dancing with my girls will always be some of the most precious memories I have of my girls first 18 months. It gave me a chance to share my passion for dance, music and culture from an early age. I believe through the classes my girls have attended they have seen the strength of community that women can share that sometimes I feel is lost in our western culture. I am hoping that one day my girls will dance with their own babies and continue this tradition. And you know what? I'll probably try to sneak in some grandma and grandbaby dancing time too!

Happy Cha Cha chaing!

Sadly, I was turned off the show from almost the opening frame. While I'm thrilled that there is a Tabitha and Napoleon routine online that everyone can download and EVERYONE is supposed to be able to dance (I'll try it tomorrow), and happy that America is having a Dance Day, Nigel didn't do his homework and he's the type of guy that I expect to do his homework. There IS an International Dance Day and it's celebrated every year on April 29. It started back in 1982 and was introduced by the International Dance Committee. It's celebrated all over the world - even at J'Adore Dance! While this past year we had a quaint celebration, wait until next year! Exciting events coming! Tsk, tsk, Nigel!

But back to the show. No more "Debbie Downer" attitude!

So, um, I didn't do so well with my predictions last night. Ashley was one of my picks who was in the bottom three, and I was leaning towards her going home. I really did not connect with her dancing and her interaction with the judges was awkward. I know it's a dancing show, but c'mon, not ALL votes are based on dancing. I thought that Alexie danced a good technical routine and although the judges said she was "too cute", they didn't have much else to correct her on. There were many other dancers that received much worse feedback (and were also in the bottom three). I was totally caught off guard that Alexie was in the bottom three.
I thought that Adechike would be in the bottom three - but no. He lacked depth in his performance, and to be brutally honest, I think he got by on votes for Katherine (AMAZING) and Travis (can't even comprehend a word to describe him) than he did on his own work. Again - I don't believe that all votes are based on just the competitors dance alone.
I'm glad Melanie got another chance - I'm a huge fan of contemporary, but the show needs diversity like her!

On the new style of the show:
I loved that there were three girls in the bottom three! For the first time ever, voting was not based on being equal to both genders. I really think that the guys are going to outshine the girls this season! They've already stolen my heart with their personalities! I'm excited to see a finale show that won't be influenced by gender, but will truly reflect who America likes best.
I missed the All Stars tonight. Kinda wish they had done a group (or solos, duets, trios, whatever!) routine while the judges deliberated. I realize the show isn't about them, but they are definitely a part of why I'm watching! I can't wait for Brian Gaynor to be on the show and would also love for them to bring the deaf dancer on for a special performance and even the girl who danced in her wheelchair at an audition an couple of seasons ago. I can connect with them much more than with professional dancers (that I, personally, have never heard of before)!

In all, I had a number of "I didn't see THAT coming" moments tonight. Some good, some bad, some neutral. I'm sad to see any dancer have to leave the amazing opportunity that they are given being on that show, but isn't that show biz?

Stacy
(Please note that these are my own personal ramblings. They aren't representative at all of J'Adore Dance and/or any of their staff or clients. In fact, we often disagree on things. That makes life interesting. And if you'd like to comment, agree or disagree feel free to.)