 A retired professional dancer, acrobat and singer, Christy was the line captain for the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana in Las Vegas. She was a featured dancer at Busch Gardens (Tampa) and has performed with Carnival Cruise Lines , Star Pointe Dancers, Tampa Bay Arts and the Lexington Ballet .A choreographer, judge and instructor for Dance Masters of America, Christy teaches gymnastics, tap, jazz and ballet and is safety certified by USA Gymnastics. Christy now runs her own web-based businesses Showstrings and YoYoMonkey.
As far as my warm ups go, I do something before each section of the show. It is important to concentrate on which parts of the body you are using so you can use your time efficiently and properly.
Before the show - 15 to 20 minutes
Prepare for the opening number- uses feet, ankles, legs, back, hips
FEET
- Achilles stretch (standing backwards on ball of the foot pressing heels down)
- Ball of the foot (continuing achilles stretch but stand on tip of toes and push down heels)
ANKLES
- Rolls - sitting in pike roll ankles at least ten times each
LEGS
- Pike - pull flexed feet backwards, this continues achilles and ankles stretch as well
- Runners position - lunge forward with back knee off the floor pushing hip down, after that lower knee and after that pull back foot to butt stretching quads (both legs)
BACK
- Laying on back pull legs over head and hold behind knees, after that lower them and pull knee across chest - both legs
- Bridge - after the above push from floor intobridge rocking back and forth
- Walkovers - front and back (because I am an acrobat this is essential...in other words, Irish Dancers, don't worry about this part!)
HIPS
- Center Lunge - grande plie in second position switch from side to side
- Fan kicks - right and left, inside and outside
Acrobat second part of the show - 5 to 10 minutes
Prepare for Can Can and 1940's section - using back, hips, ankles
- BACK - should be stretched from the opening so continuing a few front walkovers and a few standing backhandsprings
- HIPS - repeat the center lunge
- ANKLES - run in place 2 to 3 minutes before beginning Can Can, and a few high kicks as well
After this first section of the show we have a break and before the second half (which is not very difficult) I just stretch my back a little and do a few lunges. This is what worked for me!
Advice given here is just that -- advice. If you are suffering from an Irish dance injury, please see your doctor for treatment.
Go Back to Aches & Pains main page |
