Forms (also called ‘poomsae’) are one of my most beloved parts of Taekwondo. To me, forms very closely connect to dance, and to dance practise, combining body, mind and soul in one movement focus. At the moment we are learning Taeguk Pal-jang (8th form), which corresponds to the 1.st Kup (red-black) belt. For inspiration, here are my… Read More Taekwondo Forms
Today‘s post is an ode to rope skipping. One of the easiest, fastest, and cheapest(!) ways to practise stamina, coordination and strength at the same time. I used to love rope skipping as a kid, I had some mean moves (cross arms, double skips) for solo as well as for the 2-rope group skippin’ kind,… Read More Do you skip?
I will be updating the Joy of Movement Blog a bit (or even a lot!) more frequently the coming months, so if you‘d like to receive automatic updates via email you can subscribe to it (and/or to my other mailing lists) via this page: http://eepurl.com/tu4H1 The Plan – if I can swing it, I might… Read More (Re-)Joy of Movement
I would like to dedicate this blog post to Dance4Children and the amazing work they do, as well as to my learnings at D4Cs Bootcamp4Children weekend this July. What (and who?) is Dance4Children? D4C is my favourite charity team, founded by a group of gorgeous, brilliant and warm-hearted dancers from Belgium. Coralie, Lou, and Tamy… Read More Moving for Charity – Bootcamp4Children
TaeKwonDo Kup (coloured belt) tests for 10th-1st Kup usually include the following elements: Forms Basic Techniques One-Step Sparring Self Defense (Light-No contact) Sparring Breaking Forms/ Poomsae: After a short warmup all Taekwondoins are called to line up by kup/belt grade, they greet the Masters/instructors and are them called demonstrate their (chosen or chosen-for-them) forms. A TaeKwonDo… Read More TaeKwonDo Testing
A short post on what to expect in a typical ballet class. Note: Exercises for different technique aspects of ballet are usually taught in a short-to-medium length sequence (longer for higher level classes), and then practised as a mini-combination to music, repeated first on the right (ie left hand on the barre) and then the… Read More Ballet Class Structure
Making the most out of your practice sessions – even when time is short! – is a theme I often receive questions about. Here are my favourite tips for working as effectively as possible at home, with or without practice videos and DVDs, as well as on how to get the most out of your… Read More Practice Tips
To be a learner, you’ve got to be willing to be a fool. ‘Mastery’ by George Leonard, Aikido Master:
Splits progress! After posting the above picture I’ve received many questions about how I got safely(!) into the splits at 38. You can find my answers below, as well as info on Stacey Nemours online flexibility program for dancers, which is what I worked with at the time. Update 01.11.2018: The course mentioned above is… Read More Flexibility II – Splits Progress!
As some of you might know, I’ve been working more intensively on my flexibility the past few weeks, in preparation of our upcoming Ballet recital as well as for Martial Arts. I’ve been practising with an online flexibility program by Stacey Nemour, and I’m loving these looped stretching straps she designed for the course. They… Read More Flexibility Props – Straps and Stretching
