A great resource on flexibility in general, including a wealth of dynamic and active stretching techniques, with clear pictures and descriptions illustrating each exercise. The book is geared mostly to martial artists, but the flexibility work included can be used for dance (and life!) as well. Ultimate Flexibility – Sang H. Kim Note: I already… Read More Ultimate Flexibility – Sang H. Kim
Today’s book is a digital one, ‘Simple & Sinister by Pavel Pavel Tsatsouline. It has been my go-to resource for strength work for the past year. It covers a simple, but extremely effective (and fun – to me!) program/routine using kettlebells, about which I will write more tomorrow. PS: Check out this fascinating podcast interview with… Read More Simple & Sinister
I haven’t been able to get out into the woods yet this week, and I already miss it dearly. To tide you (and me!) over until next week’s forest pictures, here is a post on my favourite book on trees instead. It was written by Peter Wohlleben, a bestselling German author who has dedicated his… Read More The Hidden Life of Trees
Good dancers possess strong bodies, courageous hearts, and intelligent minds. Classical Ballet Technique – Gretchen Ward Warren. This book is an absolute treasure for anyone learning or teaching ballet. 416 pages filled to the brim with technique tips, explanations and crystal clear pictures of every possible ballet movement, transition, position and jump. It helped me figure… Read More Classical Ballet Technique
“You don’t point your feet. You lengthen them to the end of the extremity. It is not static. You need the energy flow.” The Pointe Book: Shoes, Training, Technique – by Janice Barringer and Sarah Schleßinger. This book covers everything one needs to know (and more!) for learning or teaching to go on pointes. From… Read More The Pointe Book
All is fluid – The Universe is Change. Life is Opinion. This incredibly inspiring gathering of inspirational thoughts by the Stoics is my daily morning journaling companion. The Daily Stoic – 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday.
To be a learner, you’ve got to be willing to be a fool. ‘Mastery’ by George Leonard, Aikido Master:
By focusing of the joy of movement, you take yourself deeper into the present moment. Thinking Body, Dancing Mind by Chungliang Al Huang and Jerry Lynch.