Author Archives: John Melson

10 Reasons Viking Dancers Are Thankful For Dance!

It’s mid-November already! A time when leaves turn to vibrant and warm oranges, yellows and reds, daylight grows shorter and weather takes a chilly turn. Fall time brings hot cocoa and cozy socks, but it also ushers in the start of the holiday season.

Many of us look forward to Thanksgiving for spending time with family and eating delicious food (sometimes not necessarily in that order), but at the root it is simply about welcoming and sharing. During Thanksgiving we not only prepare a space for others to sit and share our table, but it is also a gentle reminder for us to open heart and home to those we care about and those in need. More importantly, it is a time to take a step back to appreciate the things we are most grateful for and all that life has provided.

We recently polled our dance students to get to know the reasons why they are thankful for having dance in their lives. Here are the top 10 answers!

I am thankful for dance because I love to do it and it gives me exercise! – Hailie, age 8

I am thankful for dance for getting stronger! – Arden, age 6

I am thankful for dance because of close friends and strong flexibility – Kayla, age 7

I’m thankful for dance because dance just makes me feel good! I love when we learn new moves! – Belle, age 8

I am grateful for dance because of the supportive environment that is provided by the faculty of this studio and my friends here – Dyllan, age 14

I am thankful for dance because it makes me work hard and toward my potential. – Melanie, age 13

I’m thankful for dance because it lets you express yourself. You can do it with so much passion – Norah, age 9

I am thankful for dance because it makes me feel free! – Hannah, age 8

I’m thankful for dance because I have the ability to let go of all my stress from my life. Dance really helps me express things when I don’t have the words. Trevi, age 14

I am thankful for dance because it is my escape from reality. Whenever I dance I forget all my worries and troubles. It makes me feel confident and powerful. – Samantha, age 10

Meet Coach Jairus

When today’s generation refers to “dance” there’s usually a specific dance that may come to mind such as “shoot,” “ milly rock,” and the biggest craze of them all “the floss.” But one that gets left behind and has been around since the mid 70’s is Breakdancing. Unlike other dance phenoms. Breakdance, is not as simple as it looks. It’s an unique culture and vast assortment of dance moves put together by what the dancer feels at that particular moment.

Tuesday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Coach Jarius (AKA. B. Boy Jarius) to talk about his upcoming dance workshop on Wednesday November 21st, along with breakdancing, hip-hop and pursuing his love of gymnastics and dance.

person breakdancing

Where were you born and raised?

Well… I was born in Chicago. But moved around to a lot of different places. If I had to give you a hometown of where I’m from… I would say Plainfield. I’m a suburban boy at heart.

What companies or dance groups have you been apart of?

I’ve danced with D.O.D (Diversity or Dinesty), Hip Hop Connection, D.O.D Dance Company of Downers Grove.

When did you start dancing? And was there a particular person who peaked your interest in dance?

I started dancing at age 7. I didn’t necessarily take it serious until i was in my preteens. I come from a family of dancers; it wasn’t until my uncle showed me breaking that I really wanted to be apart of the movement.

Gymnastics Coach Workout

What is hip hop to you?

Hip Hop is free art. A movement created off of feelings. In other words, it’s a way for people to let loose and be free!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

When I am not here coaching my Purple Dream Team, I would have to say, I’m a big info chaser! Anything with learning intrigues me. For example, watching documentaries is a big passion of mine. I enjoy playing video games as well.

Last Question of the day. If you could perform with any entertainer, who would it be?

Chris Brown! Hands down, next to MJ….. He’s the best dancer of our time!

Viking’s Pumpkin Painting Contest!

All work and no play, makes Jack-o-lantern very sad! Luckily, our Viking staff had a blast decorating the pumpkins and that definitely raised their spirits!

Halloween 2018 Pumpkin Painting The painted pumpkins were displayed all week. Our Viking gymnasts, dancers, and their families had a great time choosing their favorite painted pumpkin!

Gymnastics and Dance Halloween Contest

And the winner is!! Ms. Lynn and her creeping trees!

Pumpin Contest Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in the voting. We hope you had as much fun as we did!

What does my child learn in dance class?

Whether it is simply for fun, exercise, interaction with peers, or a love of performance, dance classes provide a space where children engage in learning concepts that extend beyond physical education and development. The mental, social and emotional benefits of dancing have immediate value for your child and create a lasting impact throughout their lifetime. Let’s dive into the dance class experience and explore the deeper concepts at play in the studio.

Early childhood development skills

The linkage between dance activity and early childhood development is a topic abundant with research. Dance lessons hone fine motor and gross motor skills through axial, locomotor, balance and coordination focused exercises. Classes emphasize recognizing rhythmic patterns, improving body and spatial awareness, while also aiding in cognitive development. Movement activities have been linked to children exhibiting healthier coping skills, improved memory and attention span, and better self-regulation of their emotions. Dance allows students to expend energy through movement in a focused way. As an activity that caters to all seven learning modalities in different capacities, dance is a highly valuable activity for any child, regardless of experience or ability.

Long lasting life skills

Every class weaves within its framework essential life skills that help prepare dancers for their future, whether dance remains a part of it or not. Maintaining a strong work ethic, learning goal setting and accountability, appreciating delayed gratification, and practicing teamwork are some of these greater concepts that transfer to many other facets of life. Dancers learn to implement self-discipline as they work toward personal and team goals, and they gain confidence as they improve and achieve results over time. Crucial social skills like making compromises, empathizing, taking turns, resolving conflict, sportsmanship and encouraging others are continuous themes within group dance lessons. Dancing has also been proven to help aid in memory as we age!

Artistic concepts

Dance classes require students to engage their creativity and critical thinking skills throughout their training. Dancers are encouraged to refine and mature the expression and artistry of their technique through performance inside the studio and on the stage. Exploring nuance, attentiveness to detail, refining quality of movement, developing improvisational skills and improving stage presence drive the artistic components of dance. Dance class is the place where body awareness, spatial awareness, and an awareness of others in relation to oneself all intertwine in a community environment.

How to get your child involved

Looking for new educational opportunities for your child? It’s not too late to sign up your student for classes. We offer dance classes for all ages, and competitive dance opportunities beginning at five years of age. Give us a call or stop by in person to see our facility and ask any questions you have!

What to expect on the first day of dance class

dance lessons for girls

What to expect on the first day of dance class

If this is your child’s first time taking dance classes, or you have signed up for classes at a new studio this season, you may be wondering what to expect on the first day. At Viking Dance, each class at our studio will likely include:

Warm ups and stretching — Stretches, conditioning exercises, and other engaging warm up activities help us mobilize our joints, raise our body temperature and heart rate, improve circulation to our muscles, and prepare our bodies for the rest of class. Some warm-ups may include easy, follow-along choreography where your instructor will demonstrate and talk you through it. Other warm-ups may include set exercises that you will repeat each week.
Center Exercises— Traditionally in Ballet class, we’ll move to the open studio floor to help us develop our technique without the aid of the barre, like single leg balances and pirouettes. Other styles may work on footwork, rhythmic patterns, tricks, and move through small combinations or skills that will relate to the choreography material later in the class.
Across the floor — Often called ‘grand allegro,’ in Ballet, this part of class works on bigger movements with a wider range of motion, including leaps, kicks, and jumps. Whichever style you choose, across the floor sections involves expansive, traveling locomotor movements designed to help you get moving throughout the studio!
Choreography and combo — The last portion of class is dedicated to learning a small routine or dance phrase. Your instructor will break it down in pieces, sometimes movement by movement, (with or without musical counts) that you will then get to dance and work on performance skills which emphasize memorization, style, and stage presence.

young girls in dance studio Every studio works a little differently, so here are some basic questions to ask your studio before the season begins:

How early should your child arrive before each class? It is always a good idea to know exactly when a class begins, and then plan to arrive a little bit earlier. This will also help you settle in and get acquainted with the space. You can even ask if you can arrange a tour of the studios and facility beforehand so you know exactly how to get there and where the class will be held.
What should your child wear? Having the proper attire ensures your child will be able to move appropriately for the style of class they are taking, while proper footwear helps weight distribution, cushion landings in jumps, facilitate ease of turning, and protects the foot and ankle.
What studio policies should you know about ahead of time? These policies may include rules around makeup classes, attendance, bathroom breaks, studio etiquette and behavior, registration and tuition, dress code, class observation, etc.

Expert Tip:

Before you head to your first lesson, prepare a dance bag to hold everything your dancer may need in class. Items like a water bottle or some extra hair elastics come in handy. Dancers may also need some spare bobby pins, or an extra pair of tights just to be safe. To cover all bases, include a basic first aid kit and a healthy snack.

If your child will be attending dance classes for the first time, they may feel anxious when it comes time to head into the studio. This is a totally normal response! Doing things that are new or outside of our comfort zone can be intimidating. Encourage your dancer to be brave and just give the class a try. Our instructors are experts in the field of dance instruction, and would be happy to give some more advice if you need it. Once the beat of the music and the energy of the class begins, the first dance class jitters melt away.

Happy dancing!

Do you have more questions about dance class? Check out our FAQs, or reach out to chat with us personally! We would love to help you find a class that fits your child’s unique talents and personality.

5,6,7,8! Counting in Dance Class

5,6,7,8!

Counting in Dance Class

By Lynn Bobzin

Dance teachers use music to support a variety of exercises in class. Whether it is during warm-up, center, across the floor, or the final dance combination, music plays a vital role in dance class! Dance and music share a close relationship with one another since both art forms can express emotion, evoke a certain mood, and inherently use devices like rhythm, tempo, duration and dynamics. Oftentimes, dance teachers will use numbers to count the movements and require you to dance these movements on their exact counts. However, if you have not had experience learning how to count music in a music class or through music lessons, this element of the dance class can become confusing.

Why do we count in dance?

Counts help dancers:

Move with correct timing and rhythm to match the music.
Execute the same movements at the same time as a group. This is also called unison.
Know their stage entrances and exits, and also when to begin or end class exercises and combinations.
Rehearse and perform choreography that may use multiple groups, entrances, exits, canons, or other devices.

Counts in Music and Dance

In music there are typically 4 counts, or beats, per measure.
In dance, a measure is usually “musically paired” with a second measure. These two measures equal a total of 8 counts, which is why dancers count in sets of 8.
8 counts keep track of the beat and tempo, but break up the song into manageable sections. One set of 8 is like a sentence.
After every 8 count, another 8 count begins, then another, and another.
Dancers can find the beginning of an 8 count by identifying the downbeat, (the strongest accent of the measure).

Ways to Practice:

Find the drum or bass instrument in the music if there is one. It helps creates a pulse that repeats throughout the song. Think of it like a heartbeat.
Try clapping at the same time as the steady beat.
Listen for the downbeat. Begin counting at 1 on the downbeat.
Listen to a wide variety of music when practicing your counting. Classical music can be a great challenge!

Tune up your turnout!

Understanding turnout

A common term teachers use in dance classes (especially ballet), is the word turnout. Turnout is achieved by outward (lateral/external) rotation of the leg. It originates from the hip socket while engaging the deep six lateral rotator muscles. Using proper turnout is a technical staple in many genres of dance, but the concept of turnout is rooted deep in the history of ballet.

Why do we use turnout?

Ballet was born out of the Italian Renaissance and was introduced to France by Catherine de Medici in the mid 1500’s who infused early concepts of ballet into the opulence of court life. Later in the 17th century, King Louis XIV established the first dance school, Académie Royale de Danse. Under its director, Pierre Beauchamp, the five basic positions of the feet were solidified and ballet became a codified language.

Understanding Turnout

Turnout was initially used by King Louis XIV himself to display his opulent shoes and also in court fencing duels and demonstrations which then influenced the aesthetic of ballet. The degree of turnout has evolved over the centuries, and today we use turnout not only as a preservation of the history and custom of ballet tradition, but also to facilitate greater range and ease of motion with sideways movements. Turning out also showcases a longer leg line by displaying a sideways view of the arch of the foot when pointed and make the elongation through the back of knee more visible.

The truth about turnout

In ballet today, the “ideal” rotation in turnout is 180 degrees. Since this maximum turnout is unnatural for the body, dancers must train, develop and strengthen the turnout muscles over the course of time to be able to achieve this position. However, this is not mandatory to be able to dance ballet with proper technique. Certain anatomical and physiological factors can actually make it difficult or impossible to achieve this maximum level of turnout. Remember that it is more important to correctly use and work your turnout than to improperly force your body into a greater turnout. Forcing your turnout or improperly using your turnout can lead to injury. The good news is that it is possible to improve your turnout with mindful training!

Watch out for:

Rolling inward on the feet or gripping the toes
Pain/strain in the knee joints
Knees tracking inward/forward instead of outward over the second toes
Leaning forward with the chest
Sway back/Hyper extending the lumbar spine (lower back)

These may indicate you need to strengthen your turnout muscles to maintain the rotation, you may be forcing your turnout, or that you may not be activating the turnout muscles enough. When using your turnout, you want to make sure it is functional. Turnout should be able to be maintained with proper balance, alignment, support and without pain. Forcing a maximum turnout is unsafe and can lead to injury. If you want to strengthen your turnout muscles and increase your rotation, start a daily routine of exercises and stretches geared specifically towards those muscles. Be careful not to overdo it!

Exercises to help turnout

Floor exercises

Clam shells
Lisa Howell’s exercise for standing leg turnout

Standing

Parallel eleves into a turned out first position
Lifting the leg into turned out Passe slowly (with or without resistance bands)

Helpful stretches

Figure 4 stretch seated or standing with support
Lunges

TIP: Core strengthening exercises will help your overall alignment when using your turnout.

Dance Tips and Techniques – Power of the plié: Improve the height and landing of your jumps!

Technique Tip Tuesday:

Power of the plié Improve the height and landing of your jumps!
by Lynn Bobzin

Have you heard of Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion? The famous scientist’s Third Law of Motion states that every action will have a reaction that is both equal and opposite to the original action. Think about it this way: We know that if a dancer jumps into the air, they are going to come back down the same way and land on the ground. Thank gravity! This is the basic principle of the popular proverb, “what goes up must come down.” This physics is active even in a simple action like a jump.

What does physics have to do with dance or jumps?

The answer is everything. Dance is an art form that requires physical motion in real time. Movement is physics! It is through acceleration and deceleration, force, momentum, gravity…and Newton’s Third Law that we are able to dance. Jumping into the air means coming back down, simple and automatic. The trickier bit can be taking off in a way that maximizes the power of your jump. Many dancers underestimate the power of a simple p lié and how much it can increase the height of a jump.

Taking flight

If you want to gain air time, you must think about Newton’s Third Law a little backwards every time you jump. To take off into the air, you must go down to go up. Therefore, you need your plié! Increasing the depth of your plié and the amount of force you use to push off the floor will help aid in jump height. Practicing proper pliés both in and out of class will help strengthen crucial leg muscles needed for more powerful jumps.

Pay attention to your plié

Proper positioning and alignment in your p liés will also help the accuracy and balance of your jumps during takeoffs and landings. When practicing your plié, keep your heels grounded and your knees straight over your second and third toes. Your legs should resemble a diamond shape when open, with your shoulders stacked evenly over your hips. Think of your belly lifting in and upwards like an ice cream scooper at the same time your tailbone drops down, drawing an imaginary line down through your heels.

Landing

The most supportive and cushioned way of landing a jump is to articulate through the foot, and, you guessed it, to plié through the landing! Land toes first, then ball, then heel. Picture rolling smoothly through the sole of the foot. Begin your plié once your feet contact the floor.

Additional tips:

Continue to work on your turnout and stretch your calves regularly to increase the depths of your plié.
A strong core will help keep posture and alignment correct in pliés and jumps.
Make sure you breathe! Holding your breath during jumps will create tension in your upper back and shoulders which makes you stiffer and heavier.
Strengthen your ankles and feet to improve the articulation and softness of your landing. Practice pointing, flexing, ankle circles, and of course practicing those relevés!
Jump through the top of your head! Visualize a string running through the top of your head down the center of your body and between your heels. Every time you jump into the air, imagine someone pulling up on the string.
Push the floor away with your feet. Imagine your feet are small rocket ships. When you launch into the air, shoot off the ground through the tips of your toes.

Gymnastics and Dance Technique Tips: Spotting

Technique Tip Tuesday:

How to practice spotting to improve your pirouettes, chaînés, and turns of all kinds!
By Lynn Bobzin

One of the first things many of my dance students beg to practice in dance classes is turns. Pirouettes, chaînés, piqué turns, fouetté…the list goes on and on. Dancers love the feeling of spinning. A whirling body in motion requires strength, control, balance and alignment in all the right places. However, one of the most important aspects of turning is also one of the most easily forgotten, and that is spotting.

So what exactly is spotting?

Young Woman Practicing Dance Moves Spotting Spotting is a term dancers use when turning to describe the focus of the eyes. Spotting is finding a fixed focal point in in front of the dancer for his/her eyes to lock onto in order to keep the dancer’s place. Effective spotting can help minimize dizziness after multiple turns.

A favorite book of mine on ballet vocabulary is the “Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet” by Gail Grant. According to Grant, spotting is “a term given to the movement of the head and focusing of the eyes in pirouettes, déboulés, fouetté, rond de jambe, en tournant and so on. In these turns the dancer chooses a spot in front and as the turn is made away from the spot, the head is the last to leave and the first to arrive as the body completes the turn. This rapid movement or snap of the head gives the impression that the face is always turned forward and prevents the dancer from becoming dizzy” (p 113).

Ways to Practice:

Place a small sticker or picture on the wall at your eye level or slightly above eye level. Face your spot marker stand a few feet away, and using small steps, slowly begin turning your body with your eyes focused on the spot. As your body continues to turn, keep looking at the spot over your shoulder. Before your body completes the turn, whip your head around to find the spot with your eyes again. Let your body complete the turn, once again facing forwards.

TIP: Remember to keep your body turning at the same speed. Resist the urge to speed up your body during the turn when your head whips around. Your head must always make it back to the front first!

Check out the video tutorial that demonstrates this exercise here.

Once you feel comfortable with spotting, you can begin to use your plié, relevé and snap to your passé for beginning turns. Start with quarter turns, changing your focus with each new facing. For example, when practicing a quarter turn, place a spot on the wall you begin facing as well as the wall you finish facing, making sure you turn your head from one spot to the other without allowing your gaze to linger in between the two. Work your way up to half turns, and before you know it you are on your way to singles, doubles, triples, and more!

Young girl practicing dance moves Of course practicing at home can never replace the benefits of regular technique classes. If you are interested in learning more about turns or improving your turning skills, a Ballet, Jazz, or Lyrical class would be great to try! Class descriptions can be found on our website and it’s never too late to register for the dance class that is right for you.

Keep practicing your spotting technique, and you will see great improvement in those turns!

Sources:

Grant, Gail. Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet. Dover, 1982.

DanceTutorialsLIVE. “JAZZ DANCE TUTORIAL: Spotting A Turn | Beginner Pirouette Pt 1 Technique w/ Dana Alexa.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Mar. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltpwOaa5P6Q.

Viking Gymnastics & Dance – Our History

The story of Viking Gymnastics dates back to the 1980s when our Director, Charlie Friedman, began her gymnastics career at the age of eight and quickly fell in love with the sport. What her parents thought would be a weekly activity, quickly became a passion resulting in a deeper commitment to the sport. Her training included traditional gymnastics, ballet, and acrobatic dance.

Owner/Director Charlie Friedman

After competing in both club and high school gymnastics, throughout college Charlie performed with an acrobatic dance company. During her elementary education certification program, Charlie was hired by Niles North High School as a choreographer and assistant coach for the girls’ gymnastics team. Shortly thereafter, she became head coach and started an off-season feeder program for the high school and younger students in the area. That program grew into what is now Viking Gymnastics & Dance.

The early years at Niles North

With budding competitive teams registered through AAU/GIJO and then USA Gymnastics, and a growing recreational program, Viking needed to find a home outside of the high school’s second floor gym. In 2012, Viking opened a bright and dynamic 15,500 square foot gymnastics facility in Niles, Illinois. After successfully operating there for 5 years, it became apparent that a larger facility was needed. In 2017, Viking increased their space to 37,000 square feet and was able to grow areas like their Baby and Toddler program, which allowed for more appropriately sized equipment, trampolines, and exciting obstacles.

Children enjoying themselves at Time For Tots and in a class in the expanded tot area

With the expansion of their space, Viking was also able to incorporate the dance studios that Charlie had always envisioned into their programming. Viking Dance offers Traditional Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and a variety of classes for all ages.

Dance has found a new home for all ages at Viking

Charlie and the entire Viking Staff believe that every child can benefit from gymnastics and dance, and they are committed to providing a positive and enriching experience to everyone who walks through their doors.