In February, Danzainfiera, the most important dance fair in Europe, took place in Florence. With more than 18,000 attendees and 80 exhibitor brands, the event was a great success that turned the Italian city into the capital of the performing arts for three days. The fair combines the exhibition pavilion for companies with dance classes, competitions, auditions and conferences, which encourages the exchange of ideas between professionals and enthusiasts of the sector. 

It was a great experience for us to be able to welcome so many people at our booth who were able to see and try out our ballet barres and dance mirrors. Our ballet barres were also present in the training sessions and exhibitions in different classrooms. For three days we were able to meet hundreds of dance enthusiasts and see how dancers from all over Europe trained their skills with our products.  

 We are very happy with the experience at Danzainfiera and we hope to see you again next year in Florence! 

Photos: Nicola Neri, Danza in Fiera | Dinamica Ballet

In March, the fifth edition of Premis Coreogràfics Catalunya (Catalonia Choreographic Awards) was held in Barcelona, a competition that brings together dance students and professionals of this art, creating a space for artistic exchange between professionals and dance enthusiasts. 

Young creators presented their proposals in the solo, duo and group categories in different styles such as classical, contemporary, jazz, folklore or urban dance. The jury evaluated the originality, interpretation and technical execution by the dancers, as well as the use of music and overall choreography. Once again, the level of the choreographies was excellent. 

Within the framework of the Premis Coreogràfics Catalunya, an audition was also held by the Joffrey Ballet School, which has been collaborating since last year with the organization of the Choreographic Awards to generate a complete dance experience for all the participants in the competition. The Joffrey Ballet School from New York City, with more than sixty years of history, has remained at the forefront of North American artistic education. Throughout all the year they offer professional training programs in New York and in the summer, they organize auditions and intensive dance courses in different cities in the United States and in other countries around the world. 

 At Dinamica Ballet we collaborate with the Premis Coreogràfics Catalunya and the Joffrey Ballet School by offering our ballet barres for auditions and warm-ups for all participants. We are happy that once again it has been a success, and we hope to meet again in the sixth edition next year. 

 Pictures from Premis Coreogràfics Catalunya and Joffrey School

@premiscoreograficscatalunya

@joffreyschool

In the world of fitness, emerging disciplines seek to create a comprehensive and effective experience to strengthen the body and take care of health. One of these disciplines is barre, which has been gaining popularity in recent years. Combining elements from ballet, Pilates and yoga through isometric exercises, barre has become an interesting option for those looking to tone the body, work on flexibility and improve body posture. 

 Origins and foundations 

 Barre, as we know it today, had its beginnings in the ’50s, when Lotte Berk, a German dancer, developed a training method that combined ballet with physical rehabilitation exercises. This approach evolved over time, incorporating elements of Pilates and yoga, eventually giving rise to contemporary barre. 

The term barre refers to the ballet barre used as the main piece of workout equipment during training sessions. The ballet barre provides support for balance while performing targeted movements designed to work specific muscle groups in a precise and controlled manner. 

 Benefits of barre

One of the winning points of barre is its ability to offer a full body toning workout. Isometric exercises, characterized by sustained muscle contraction, are essential in this modality and contribute to strengthening and defining the body. Barre is also effective in improving flexibility and physical endurance. Flowing, controlled movements, combined with conscious breathing, help lengthen the muscles and improve the range of motion of the joints. This not only benefits physical performance, but also reduces the risk of injury and improves body posture. 

 Core principles of barre 

 Barre is based on a series of fundamental principles that guide the practice and guarantee effective and safe results: 

1. Control and precision: Every movement in the barre is performed with control and precision, focusing on quality over quantity. This ensures that you work out optimally and minimize the risk of injury.
2. Range and stability: Barre exercises seek to achieve a balance between range of motion and stability. This involves working on both strength and flexibility in a balanced way to improve body functionality. 
3. Mind-body connection: As in yoga, barre emphasizes the mind-body connection through conscious breathing and the precise execution of each movement, promoting relaxation and mental well-being.
4. Variation and progression: Although barre is based on specific movements, it includes such a big range of exercises and variations that allows us to adapt the practice to different skill and fitness levels. Additionally, gradual progression is essential to keep on challenging the body and achieve long-lasting results. 

 Barre is a unique and effective fitness discipline that combines elements of ballet, Pilates and yoga to offer a complete workout that tones the body, improves flexibility and physical resistance and promotes healthy body posture. If you are looking for a fun and challenging way to stay in shape, barre could be the perfect option for you! In our online shop you can find the perfect wall mounted or freestanding ballet barres for practicing this discipline. 

Freestanding ballet barres

If you need a versatile space in your classrooms or if you want to train at home, our portable ballet barres are the solution

Wall-mounted ballet barres

Create one continuous barre that’s as long as you need without losing stability or performance.

Auditions season is coming. November is the month when we usually start seeing many announcements of dance auditions online. This is why today, we want to share with you some tips to help you be more physically and mentally prepared for a dance audition.

1. Being mentally prepared is as important as being physically prepared

It is natural to worry about being in shape when you are going to an audition, but being mentally prepared is just as, or more important, than being physically prepared. When attending an audition, you will find yourself in a new environment and surrounded by people you don’t know, that’s why having a calm and positive mentality is key for doing a good audition.

2. Do not overthink and enjoy the moment

An audition can be as pleasant or unpleasant as you want it to be. Thinking too much about what the audition will be like is counterproductive. Creating expectations, whether positive or negative, will only make you more nervous and make you miss the magic of the moment.

Every dance audition is unique and different. If you go with an open mind you will probably enjoy it a lot more, so instead of trying to foresee what will happen or what other dancers are going to attend, focus on learning and enjoying every second, because this opportunity will not be repeated. Also, if you look happy during the audition, you have a much better chance of attracting the attention and liking the jury.

 3. Trust your hard work

BestBeing consistent in your daily work is key to preparing your body and mind for a dance audition. Before an audition, it’s important that you imagine that every class and every rehearsal you do, is like an audition. Arrive early to the studio to warm up, ideally 1 hour or 30 minutes before class. Start moving your body gently and increase the force as your muscles feel more prepared. Pay particular attention to the parts of the body where you have suffered a previous injury and gently stretch before starting the ballet bar.

At the end of class and rehearsals, stretch for a longer time to relax your muscles and prepare them for the next day. If you go to the audition knowing that you have been following a good exercise routine and have given your best in each of the classes and rehearsals before the audition, you will feel more confident and better prepared.

4. Be humble and don’t compare yourself

Each dancer has their own flaws, and you are no different. No one is better nor worse than anyone else. Is important that you work feeling a good atmosphere inside the studio, getting along with the rest of your peers. Being competitive in excess won’t benefit you. Feeling envy is never a positive thing. No dancer is born knowing how to dance. Remember how you were when you first started, and use this memory to motivate yourself to improve and get better every day.

Whenever you look in the mirror and start having self-critical thoughts, tell yourself a positive affirmation about something you do like about yourself. During the audition, imagine that no one else is there and focus on showing the jury what you are capable of. Dance humbly, because no one is perfect and don’t compare yourself with the rest of participants.

5. Follow a healthy diet and sleeping routine

Following a healthy diet is important for maintaining an ideal weight, but it’s also important for having a good energy level and avoiding getting injured. The secret is not to eat less, but to eat slowly until feeling satisfied. Vegetables, fruits, and legumes are low-calorie, high-nutrient foods, so you can eat them in abundance. Eat your food raw, steamed, or grilled with a small amount of olive oil, as these are the healthiest ways. Avoid sugar, do not use a lot of salt, and keep the fried food out of your diet as much as possible. And don’t forget to drink enough water! Before the audition, you shouldn’t eat too much. The right thing to do would be to eat a good healthy meal 2-3 hours before starting the exercise and take with you some fruit or nuts to maintain a good energy level during the dance audition. If you have any concerns about your diet, consider seeing a nutritionist.

Good sleep is also very important to let your body rest and recover your muscles. Keeping to a routine, getting up and going to bed at the same time each day is an essential part of reminding our minds and bodies when we should be awake and when we should be asleep. Don’t eat too much close to bedtime, and avoid watching TV or your phone time before bed and in the bedroom, as doing so could prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Consider reading a book or writing down the corrections that the teacher has given you during the day in your journal. These are activities that will help you turn off your brain at bedtime. If you suffer from anxiety or insomnia, it’s best to ask a health professional for help.

6. Don’t give up

Some days will be harder than others. When you are feeling tired or when it seems like everything is going wrong, you can use those days to do some inner work of introspection. Ask yourself: Why am I dancing? What positive emotions do I feel when I dance? How willing am I to do whatever it takes to achieve my dream? Reminding yourself of what motivates you to dance will be enough to keep you going that day.

What if the audition doesn’t go well? Should I quit? If the result of the audition is what you wanted, don’t give up because there will be many more opportunities. Each audition is a new opportunity that brings you closer to realizing your dream. The most important thing is to be sure if dancing makes you happy enough to do it for the rest of your life. If so, you there’s no doubt you will find the strength needed to succeed.

By Júlia Muxinach | Dancer and entrepreneur | shesapiens.com