Tag: A Dancers Lifestyle

Tanning, Toning, and Training

The last two weeks of summer

lwjoefmy

As you may have seen I am spending the last 2 weeks of my summer holiday in Spain with my wonderful family. Since it is such a rare occasion to have us all together for more than a weekend it is a much needed and lovely holiday for us all.

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The Mills family, Puerto Banus, 2016

As my summer break is ticking by quickly and the last weeks are upon me, it is now important for me to exercise every day to get my body work-ready. Like on all summer holidays it is very tempting to soak up the sun all day, but I know my body will thank me for doing some exercise before the season starts. Continue reading “Tanning, Toning, and Training” →

Surprised by the Unsurprising

#health#eating#food

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The Lake District, 2012

I am often asked about my diet as a dancer, which I can understand as most people think we are all so skinny because we don’t eat enough. But actually out of the number of dancers I know, we are pretty normal when it comes to food.

To do the amount of exercise required, a dancer has to keep their body fueled with the correct food and right amount of it. Yes, I do watch what I eat but more in the way that I want to get as much out of the ingredients as I can to make me a better athlete. Dancers are like any other athletes and we need power for rehearsals and even more so for performances, and that power comes from our food. Continue reading “Surprised by the Unsurprising” →

Why it May Take a Dancer 25 Years to Learn to Drive

lwjoefmy

 

IMG_1242The day has finally come where I can officially and legally drive a car! Oh yes, it has taken me almost 25 years to get my driving licence, but of course I have a very valid reason why I left it so late in life to try.

When I was 16 I moved to London to start as a student at the Royal Ballet Upper School, where I trained and lived for 3 years in one of Europe’s most vibrant and exciting cities with 30 other eager dancers from all over the world. It was probably one of the scariest thing I have ever done. I felt scared, nervous, excited, and thrilled all at the same time. I remember driving there like it was yesterday: me, my mum, ‘Wicked the Musical’ playing on the radio, and a car full of me worldly belonging heading to my new home. Continue reading “Why it May Take a Dancer 25 Years to Learn to Drive” →

A Day without Training is Like Walking Around without your Pants on!

lwjoefmy

As you can imagine with such a long summer break of 6 weeks it can be very easy to get out of shape. I have found that a good mixture of rest and movement can really help to recover, yet stay suppel and toned throughout holidays.

After a season I always feel my body does need a few weeks rest with no intense everyday exercise. It is very important to give the muscles and joints some time to recover from the long strenuous season it just went though. Continue reading “A Day without Training is Like Walking Around without your Pants on!” →

Exciting Opportunity to Teach Abroad/Home

lwjoefmy

I was asked by KNT Danceworks in Manchester if I wanted to teach a class while I am back in England and as it fits in with my summer plans there will be a ballet class this week on Thursday 18th.

It is always a great compliment to be asked to give a class, especially as I love to pass on my experience and knowledge of dance. In the past I have taught classes of young beginners, where as this time I will have the opportunity to advise a studio full of young adults who have a passion for ballet and really want to learn something. I think it will be a great experience for me, whether only one person or 50 people turn up, and if I can give these dancers anything I would want them to have a enjoyable class.

If anyone is close by and interested, come and join me and other ambitious dancers on Thursday. See you there!

With love,

Harriet

Summer Time

lwjoefmy

 

Hey guys,

As I have started this blog a couple weeks into my summer holiday, it is the perfect time for you to see what dancers get up to whilst not working.

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Bodensee, 2011

When another season is coming to an end we are always so excited for our 6 week holiday, as you can imagine. When working in a ballet company the dancers are given all their holidays at once, in a long summer break, just like in school (minus all those missed half turn breaks). We are sometimes lucky with a few days off around christmas and New Years, or even one or two long weekends, which is always much appreciated. But after working all season long we definitely need the well deserved break and usually a trip back home, where ever that may be. Continue reading “Summer Time” →