Is It Too Late to Start Dancing?

How to Improve Grace and Fluidity Throughout Your Arms and Hands

During registration, we hear this question a lot: “When is it too late to start dancing?” Because it’s such an important and prominent question in the dance industry, there are ample blog posts, forums, and articles dedicated solely to the topic. The answer from experts and amateurs alike is that it’s never too late to start pursuing a passion for dance! 

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Too late?

Many dancers put on their leotards as soon as they begin to walk.
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Sometimes, the calling is simply undeniable, and keen parents enroll children in dance classes as early as preschool.
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However, you’re never too old to follow your dreams! Whether you are a teenager or middle-aged adult considering dance classes, there are notable physical health benefits to taking up dance at any age, and with patience and dedication, you will likely achieve your goals. However, it’s important to be realistic about expectations. While there’s no “cutoff age” for dancers, it’s unlikely that an adult who has limited time to practice will be able to catch up with students who have dedicated their lives to dancing.
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So, although you may never make it to the professional level, that doesn’t mean you can’t compete in national events, become an inspiration to others, and have a whole lot of fun while dancing!

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Success knows no age

While the odds of a late bloomer making it to a professional level are low, it does happen from time to time. There are a number of other unconventional success stories that demonstrate that you’re never too old to start dancing. There are also a lot of dancers who take up the art form without hopes of making it big but are still amazed at how dance transforms their lives. These stories show that success and ability aren’t determined by age, but rather by passion, dedication, and desire!

Bella Diva Dance Studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

When to Use Ice or Heat for a Dance Injury

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Any type of dance is a very disciplined art that requires a lot of work from the body. As dancers, you train carefully and are diligent with warm-ups to prevent injuries, but sometimes even with the best prep work, you can still face sore muscles and occasional strains. When that happens to you, it’s important to treat the pains correctly so that you can get back to dancing quickly and safely. Knowing when to use ice or heat is important knowledge for every dancer to have.

When to use ice

Treating fresh injuries with ice, also known as cryotherapy, is a process that works best for treating pain and inflammation. Ice causes the blood vessels to constrict, which reduces swelling and the discomfort that comes with it. Icing sore areas after exercising can reduce bruising as well by slowing down fluid build-ups under the skin.

You need to be careful to avoid icing before performing any strenuous activity. There’s a reason why athletes of all disciplines must perform warm-ups before exercising – cold muscles are tighter and can be more prone to pulls or tears. If you feel the need to ice any part of your body during a dance class or workout, you need to be done exercising for a while. It can be dangerous to return to physical activity immediately after icing a muscle, even if it’s started to feel better. It is recommended you wait at least an hour before dancing again if you’ve iced a muscle.

Make sure you wrap your ice pack in a thin towel or similar material to keep it from having direct contact with your skin. Ideally, it is recommended that you ice for 10 minutes every hour until the swelling has gone down.

When to use to heat

Using heat, like an electronic heating pad or microwavable warming pack, is good for soreness unrelated to swelling or for muscle spasms. Heat helps to relax muscles and get rid of any stiffness. Applying heat to a sore area can be beneficial before a workout, but it’s important that you only do this if you’re sure you don’t have a serious injury. A little stiffness in the calves after a hard day of dancing is common, but if you rolled your ankle the day before, you don’t want to try to push through that pain.

Heat should never be applied to acute pain or swollen areas. The warmth will increase blood flow, which will allow a swollen muscle to expand even more.
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You should wait at least 48 hours after an injury to make sure the swelling is gone before switching from ice to heat therapy.

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If there is major swelling or the pain is excruciating, you need to see a medical professional right away.
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Bella Diva Dance Studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.
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 We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

Dance Recital Must-Haves Checklist

Every dancer will agree with us – no matter how many recitals you’ve performed in, in the midst of excitement and stage fright, somehow you always manage to forget something important.  So, to help you make sure you’ve got everything you need for your upcoming recitals, we’ve put together a dance recital checklist!

  1. Extras: It’s always good to have an extra set of tights/delicate garments on hand in case your first set get a run or get dirt all over them somehow. Plus, if someone forgot theirs, you could save the day with your spare set!
  2. Mini first-aid kit: Between quick changes and rehearsals, a lot of things could go wrong! It’s not a bad idea to keep a mini first-aid kit as it will contain bandages, ointment, and wraps. You may want to throw in a package of blister bandages, a few hot and cold packs, a pain reliever, and some allergy medication. It may be necessary to have extra feminine products available as well.
  3. Hangers & garment bags: There’s nothing worse than not being able to find a critical part of your costume right before you’re about to go onstage! Avoid stress by organizing your costumes on hangers inside garment bags as soon as you get to your dressing room – you’ll thank yourself during the quick changes!
  4. Miniature sewing kit: Let’s face it – costumes don’t always hold up. Having said that, it’s smart to keep a handful of safety pins or needle and thread in your makeup case for any last-minute repairs or alterations. This could also include a lint brush, static guard, stain removal pen, and some double-sided tape.
  5. Snacks and water: Recitals are long and exhausting! It’s important to make sure that you’ve got a variety of snacks and water bottles in your bag so you can maintain hydrated and your energy levels to avoid fatigue.
  6. Makeup: You never know if your make up will fade or sweat off during a recital, chances are, you’re going to have to reapply your makeup throughout the day. Make sure you bring all your essentials – eyelash glue, lipstick, blush. You never know what you might need!
  7. Wipes: Your makeup looks might vary between dances. Makeup removal or baby wipes are great for quickly removing your lipstick or even your full face of makeup between routines.
  8. Camera: Dance recitals make the best memories! Be sure to bring a camera so you can document the show with your friends! ????

Did we miss anything? What’s on your dance recital packing list? Share with us in the comments section below.

Dance Bag Essentials

Your dance bag comes in handy for toting around your dance shoes and attire, but your dance bag should also prepare you for the unexpected. Make sure your dance bag is packed with items you might need, including emergency health supplies, extra dance gear and clothing, personal beauty items, and quick snacks.

1. Emergency Health Supplies

As every dancer knows, unexpected things will happen. Whether it be a sudden headache before an audition or a bleeding blister, it pays to be prepared. Always carry a few extra health supplies you might need in case of an emergency.

Throw a small emergency kit inside your dance bag with the following items: pain relief medication, band-aids, antibiotic ointment, toe tape, gauze, and a small manicure kit.

2. Extra Dance Gear and Clothing

Wearing the proper dance gear is extremely important to a dancer. Your dance bag should contain necessary gear and clothing you need for each style of dance in which you participate. Make sure and pack the following important items: dance shoes, toe pads, leg warmers, a light sweater, extra tights, extra leotard, and a small sewing kit.

3. Personal Beauty Items

Every dancer wants to look and smell their best while dancing. Ballet dancers especially concern themselves with a tidy appearance, including tight hair buns and smooth clothing lines. Besides appearances, confidence is everything to a dancer, so give yourself an edge by packing the following items: hair ties, hair pins and bobby pins, hair spray, deodorant, breath mints, sweat towel, lip gloss, nail clippers, sanitary pads/tampons, and lightly scented body spray.

4. Quick Snacks

Food and water are essential to dancers of all types. Running out of energy on the dance floor is easy to do during long classes or rehearsals. Make sure you keep your body going by grabbing a snack or drink whenever you need it.

Here are a few healthy items to keep in your dance bag: bottled water, hydrating drinks, granola/energy bars, trail mix, bananas, or pretzels.

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Bella Diva Dance in Denver

Come visit our facilities, read more about our instructors and staff members and watch videos from our student’s and dancer’s performances.

What to Eat Before Competitions

When you’re preparing for a big dance competition, your mind is probably filled with concerns about your costume, makeup, choreography, and transportation. However, there’s another equally important consideration that often gets overlooked: what are you going to eat? Most competitions are all-day affairs, and you can bet that you will get hungry throughout the day.
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If you want to perform your best, plan ahead and come to competitions prepared with food and beverages. Use these tips to choose foods packed with nutrition to optimize your energy levels.
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The Night Before

Dance Comp Review recommends that dancers have a dinner with protein and complex carbohydrates the night before they perform. Some good options might be grilled chicken, a vegetable dish, or whole-wheat pasta.
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Comfort foods that are rich in sugar and fat might seem tempting, but it’s better to choose a meal that’s packed with nutrients. This will help your body to fuel up on energy and get ready for the long, stressful day ahead.

Snacking Right

When you’re packing snacks to munch on throughout the day, you’ll want to focus on small, healthy items. You can bring along trail mix that contains nuts and seeds, as these will help keep you feeling satiated for longer. If you are allergic to nuts, fresh or dried fruits and vegetables are another good choice, as they contain natural sugars that will boost energy. Other options include whole-grain pretzels and crackers, rice cakes, nut butters, or granola.

Opt for Small Meals

Experts agree that it’s best for performers to eat a number of smaller meals when they’re hungry. Good options for competition-day food might be deli meat sandwiches on whole-grain bread, chicken soup with lots of vegetables, or a toasted bagel with peanut butter.

Skip the Soda

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids with each meal, especially water. Drinking water will help make food more digestible for the body and optimize nutrient intake, unlike sodas and other sugary drinks that will likely cause sugar crashes.

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Follow these tips and you are sure to nail your competition!

Healthy Snacks for Dancers

Do you consume healthy snacks before each dance class?
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Dancers should try to follow a healthy diet to benefit their body because dancing uses a lot of energy and burns lots of calories, so dancers must consume enough calories to keep up with physical demands. A dancer’s diet should consist of a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, and adequate fluids. If you’re not fueling your body with the proper foods, your dancing, as well as your health, may begin to suffer. The last thing you want to do is begin a dance class on an empty stomach. You want to make sure your pre-class snacks are nutritious and energy-rich. Here are a few suggestions and ideas you can easily access to feel energetic before class.

Healthy Snack for Dancers

Foods to eat for a quick energy boost:

  • Low-fat yogurt
  • Granola (cereal or bars)
  • Light soup
  • Salad
  • Peanut butter
  • Whole wheat bread or crackers
  • Fresh fruit
  • Cheese

Remember, dancers need to stay hydrated, so drink plenty of water with your pre-class snack and always carry a water bottle with you into the studio. Since dancers sweat, just like all athletes, it is very important for dancers to replace fluids lost by sweating in order to keep their bodies well hydrated.
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Even dehydration in its mildest form can negatively affect performance. Water is required to regulate body temperature, maintain circulation, maintain salt and electrolyte balance, and remove waste. Fluids are lost through sweat created by the body’s unique cooling system.

Did you know that by the time you feel thirsty, you are actually already dehydrated? Since every dancer’s fluid needs are unique, how much fluid you need is specific to your own body. However, in order to prevent dehydration, the average person needs to consume about two liters or eight glasses of fluid every day, preferably with at least half of that amount being in the form of plain water. If you have a particularly long day of dancing, your body will require more.
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 Ideally, a dancer should drink before, during, and after a dance class or performance.

Prevent and Heal Blisters in 6 Steps

As most dancers know, blisters are painful reminders of the stress dancing puts on the feet. Whether caused by ballet pointe shoes, tap shoes, or bare feet on wooden flooring, blisters seem to be a part of every dancer’s life.

A blister can cause a great deal of pain and can take a long time to heal. Fortunately, blisters are fairly easy to treat and easy to prevent. The following six steps will show you how to treat and prevent blisters on your feet.

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Make sure that your shoes fit

The easiest way to get a blister is to wear dance shoes that are either too big or too small. When shopping for dance shoes of any kind, make sure the shoes fit properly. It is always best to seek the help of a professional, especially when fitting shoes for dance. If you develop a painful blister on your foot after a session, it’s a good idea to look closely at your shoes and your feet to figure out why. Blisters are usually the result of a part of the shoe repeatedly rubbing against a sweating foot.

Cover your feet

Most dance instructors recommend wearing dance tights or socks with dance shoes. As your feet begin to sweat, your bare skin will rub against the inside of your shoes. Tights will serve as a protective barrier between your shoes and your feet.

Use foot powder

Sprinkling a small amount of powder inside your shoes will help keep your feet dry and prevent them from rubbing. Use foot powder, talcum powder, or cornstarch. Sprinkle a small amount inside each shoe and on your bare feet before slipping on your shoes.

Cover hot spots

A “hot spot” is a warning sign that a blister is about to develop. Hot spots are areas that appear red and feel warm to the touch. Cover suspicious areas with bandages, medical tape, gauze, or moleskin. These preventative products can easily be found in the foot care aisle of your favorite drug store.

Drain the fluid

If you develop a blister and must continue dancing, it is recommended that you lance it with a sterile needle as soon as possible. Lancing it will help relieve pain and pressure.

However, it is only safe to lance a blister if the fluid inside is clear. Prepare your skin by first washing it and swabbing with rubbing alcohol. Next, sterilize a needle by holding it in a flame until the tip turns red. After allowing it to cool, gently make one small hole in the blister.

After draining, allow the blister to air out overnight. Apply antibiotic ointment before wearing your shoes the next day, https://www.cdhfinechemical.com/cdh_data/antibiotics-online/. Watch the area closely for any signs of infection such as redness, pain, or pus inside the blister.

Pamper and rest

Overuse is a common cause of any injury, so allowing your feet to rest will help prevent blisters. If it is impossible to take a day off, pamper your feet after long dance sessions by soaking them in a foot bath and allowing them to dry thoroughly.

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

Road to Rio tomorrow, 8pm at the Clocktower

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th at 8PM – Samba and Belly Dance beats in Denver.

Road to Rio at the Clocktower

Samba in DenverFasten your seat-belts Denver, not only will you be entranced by the sheer amount of shaking feathers, beads, and glitter, you won’t be able to stop tapping your feet to magical Samba and Belly Dance beats in Denver.
Dripping in feathers, glitz and glamorous, over-the-top gorgeous costumes (worth the price of admission just to SEE ’em), these lovely dancers from the acclaimed troupe, Bella Diva Dance, will mesmerize you with scintillating and sensual dance numbers and “can’t sit still” rhythms and beats from all around the world.

Road to Rio: A special, one-time Friday night show in Colorado

August 5th will feature a special, one-time Friday night show! Fasten your seat belts as Bella Diva Dance transports you to Brazil during their “Road to Rio” to celebrate the opening ceremonies of the Summer 2016 Olympics! This Carnival-inspired night will be filled with all things Brazil: Samba, lively music, world dance performances, brightly feathered beauties, traditional Caipirinha cocktails, audience team games, and Olympic trivia. And what night would be complete without the hilarious stand-up from Lannie’s own Naughty Pierre?
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This is your chance to see your favorite Bellas on a WEEKEND evening, don’t miss this prime-time party!Celebrate Brazil

“Just returned home from day one of the PrideFest and ‘Holy Dancing Feathers, Batman,’ just when I thought I had seen it all. WOW! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bella Diva Dance!!
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These ladies are not to be missed.” – Brian D. Reed of Ah-Some Photography

SHOWTIME AND TICKETS

Friday, August 5th at 8pm.

Doors open at 7pm.

TICKETS: $27

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Celebrate Brazil and Much More with Bella Diva Dance

Not only our special road to Rio show will transport you to Brazil, but you can also live more wonderful experiences at Bella Diva Dance Studio. We offer diverse dance classes for everyone!

We strive to bring culturally authentic world dance forms to Denver and provide unique performance opportunities for our students in the form of two yearly Student Showcases held at popular, various Denver venues.
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Road to Rio at the Clocktower

Come by our establishment and find out why we are the best dance studio in Denver area.

10 Things Great Dancers Do Differently

Looking up to great dancers is natural, and you should – they are great role models. However, do you ever wonder, “how did they get so good?” Well, guess what? It’s not magic, and it’s not a natural talent, either. Great dancers are great because they do lots of things differently. Read on to find out ten actions they take and why you should, too.

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Good dancers:

1. Overcome excuses about why they can’t practice

They understand that there’s no way they will keep moving up if they aren’t practicing. Look for and practice moves and concepts that challenge you and practice them until they are perfected.

2. Take music seriously

3. Use both a mirror and video regularly in practice

Analyze yourself and your steps so that you will gain a better perspective on how your steps look.

4. Seek out instructors/mentors

5. Take aches and pains seriously

Our world is full of promising dancers who ignored their injuries and failed to excel. Part of training your body correctly is listening to any aches it may have.

6. Develop a unique voice and perspective

They strive to make new discoveries so that they develop their unique voice and perspective on dancing.

7. Always work on improving fitness

Good muscular balance and aerobic conditioning benefit your dance ability.

8. Truly believe they can do it

They have the ability to improve because they have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset.

9. Get consistent, accurate feedback

Sure, feedback can be daunting, and we may feel attacked, but it is important to receive the perception of others.

10.Committed

They know they are in it for the long run, so they keep going even if it gets really tough.

Do this now!

Grab a notebook and ask yourself which of these qualities you are already putting into practice and which you are neglecting. Evaluate yourself honestly. For each action you can improve on, jot down a few notes about how you can improve. For example, “I want to analyze myself on video more often.” Your notes might say, “Take a 60-second video halfway through practice. Watch it three times, pick two things to work on, then work on them for the rest of practice.”

Remember: being a great dancer is not magic. As soon as you start taking actions to improve your dancing, you’ll see results!

 

Road to Rio Friday, August 5th at 8PM

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belladancersFasten your seat-belts Denver, not only will you be entranced by the sheer amount of shaking feathers, beads and glitter, you won’t be able to stop tapping your feet to those Samba and Belly Dance beats. Dripping in feathers, glitz and glamorous, over-the-top gorgeous costumes (worth the price of admission just to SEE ’em), these lovely dancers from the acclaimed troupe, Bella Diva Dance, will mesmerize you with scintillating and sensual dance numbers and “can’t sit still” rhythms and beats from all around the world.

Our Special Road to Rio Show will Transport you to Brazil

Olympia_2016_-_Rio.svg_-1200x1216August 5th will feature a special, one-time Friday night show! Fasten your seat belts as Bella Diva Dance transports you to Brazil during their “Road to Rio” to celebrate the opening ceremonies of the Summer 2016 Olympics! This Carnival-inspired night will be filled with all things Brazil: Samba, lively music, world dance performances, brightly feathered beauties, traditional Caipirinha cocktails, audience team games, and Olympic trivia. And what night would be complete without the hilarious stand-up from Lannie’s own Naughty Pierre?
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This is your chance to see your favorite Bellas on a WEEKEND evening, don’t miss this prime-time party!
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“Just returned home from day one of the PrideFest and ‘Holy Dancing Feathers, Batman,’ just when I thought I had seen it all. WOW! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bella Diva Dance!! These ladies are not to be missed.” – Brian D. Reed of Ah-Some Photography

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Get tickets HERE!

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Tickets: $27.00