| How to Become a Ballet Dancer Posted: 28 May 2021 05:00 PM PDT No matter your age, ballet is a fun way to strengthen your body while expressing yourself through the art of dance. If you're really passionate about it, you might even consider pursuing a professional ballet career. It won't always be easy, but with hard work and dedication, you could find yourself dancing center stage, just like the prima ballerinas you look up to today! [Edit]Taking Ballet Classes - Choose a professional studio if you want to pursue dance seriously. If you want the type of dance training that could potentially prepare you for a career as a dancer, look for a professional studio when you start taking classes. In particular, look for a reputable school that uses a recognized ballet method like Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Vaganova, or Cecchetii.[1]
- Professional ballet schools typically have ties to well-known ballet organizations, so you'll have more opportunities to dance in professional productions. They also provide annual examinations to critique your progress as a dancer.
- Take classes at a recreational studio if you just want to dance for fun. If you want to dance ballet but you're not as concerned about a long-term career, sign up for classes at a recreational studio. However, do still take the time to find a reputable school with experienced instructors—learning good technique is an important part of avoiding injuries while you dance.[2]
- Recreational schools often focus on a big recital at the end of the year rather than preparing you for professional opportunities. Depending on where you live, it might be easier to find recreational schools near you.
- Find an experienced dance teacher. If you take classes from an inexperienced dance teacher, you could learn bad habits that can affect your form for the rest of your dance career. To avoid that, read up on each studio's instructors online or talk to them in person to find out where they trained. In particular, look for someone who:[3]
- Has trained with a professional company
- Is well-trained as an instructor, not just a dancer
- Has a dance degree or reputable certifications
- Has a good reputation in the dance community
- Makes you feel at ease
- Look for a studio that offers smaller classes, if possible. Ideally, try to join a studio that has no more than about 12 students in each class. Smaller classes mean you'll get more personalized attention from the dance instructor, so you'll be less likely to learn bad habits that slip by under the radar.[4]
- If a dance class has more than 12 students, it's a lot harder for the instructor to see what everyone is doing at all times.
- This is especially important if you're hoping to have a dance career, since you'll need a solid foundation with great technique. However, even if you're just dancing for fun, you'll still benefit from having an instructor who'll notice and correct you when your form isn't right.
- Dress in clothes that show your figure. When you're getting dressed for dance class, call ahead or check the school's website to see if there's a dress code. Some schools require females to wear pink or black tights and a leotard, while males are usually asked to wear a fitted white T-shirt and black tights or full-body tights.[5] However, some schools have more relaxed requirements, so you may be able to wear something like a tank top and leggings.[6]
- Wear your hair pulled up or pinned back from your face.[7]
- Wear ballet shoes that match your tights.[8] Most schools require you to wear ballet shoes to class because they'll help keep you from slipping on the dance floor. Ballet shoes fit a little differently than traditional shoes, so stop by a local dance store to make sure you get the best fit.[9]
- Pink shoes and pink tights are the most common option for ballet class, but if the studio allows, you can wear black shoes and black tights instead.
- Avoid wearing black shoes with pink tights—in the ballet world, this is considered tacky.[10]
- Do not wear pointe shoes until your instructor tells you that you're ready![11]
- Bring a water bottle and a bag with a change of clothes. Ballet can really get your heart pumping, so bring along some water to drink in case you get thirsty. In addition, bring a fresh change of clothes and a bag to put your sweaty dance clothes in after class.[12]
- Keep your dance shoes in a separate bag—it's important to keep them clean, so you don't want them tumbling around with your dirty dance clothes.
- Don't chew gum or eat candy during class—it could be a choking hazard![13]
- Show up to class 10-15 minutes early so you can warm up. It's always important to warm up before you do any type of exercise, but you might not get time to do that during your class. To be sure you get a chance to get your muscles moving before your teacher calls the students to the barre, show up a few minutes before class starts. [14]
- To warm up, do some stretches, as well as a few basic exercises to get your heart pumping, like jumping-jacks or running in place.[15]
- Pay close attention during your lessons. Give the instructor the respect they deserve and really listen to everything they say. If you're only half-heartedly going along with the moves, you're wasting your teacher's—and your own—time, not to mention the money you spent on the class. You could even be taking up a spot in the class that someone else wanted.[16]
- Being a dancer takes self-motivation, so if you find yourself feeling discouraged, try to tap into what made you want to dance in the first place.
- Try not to compare how you're doing to the other dancers in the room. Sometimes, you might be in a class with students who have more experience or natural ability than you, but it's important to only focus on what you're doing and how to be the best you can be.[17]
[Edit]Dancing Pointe - Wait to do pointe work until your instructor says you're ready. Moving to pointe shoes is a milestone that many ballet dancers look forward to. However, it's important not to start too soon—your feet have to be developed and strong enough to support you on pointe, or you could injure yourself.[18] Trust your instructor to let you know when you're ready.[19] Here are some of the criteria they'll use:
- Be at least 11 years old[20]
- Have taken at least 3 years of classes, preferably 3 times a week or more.
- Have proper turnout and a strong core
- Be able to do full pointe at the barre and in center
- Have the calf strength and enough of an arched instep to support you on pointe
- Get fitted for pointe shoes.[21] To make sure you get the perfect pointe shoes for your feet, go to a professional pointe shoe fitter for a consultation. They'll help you find the right size, and they'll also give you personalized recommendations based on the shape and condition of your feet.[22]
- Once you purchase your pointe shoes, you'll need to sew ribbons and elastics onto them. You may also want to press on the toe box or bend the soles of your pointe shoes—called the shanks—back and forth a few times to help break them in before you wear them.
- Every dancer has their own way to sew on elastics and break in their shoes. If you're not sure where to start, talk to the shoe fitter or your dance teacher for tips.
- Wear padding and tie your shoes securely. To put on your pointe shoes correctly, start by slipping a gel or wool pad over your toes. Then, put on your pointe shoes and tie them—the ribbons and elastics will hold the shoes on your feet while providing support for your ankles.[23]
- Over time, you'll figure out how to tie your shoes so they feel secure and comfortable. A good way to start is to wrap the inner strap (the one closest to your instep) around your leg twice, stopping on the inside of your ankle. Then, wrap the outer strap twice, tie the straps together on the inside of your leg, and tuck the ends under the straps.
- Build your endurance gradually. Dancing on pointe is often painful at first because you're using muscles that you don't normally use. As you practice over time, these muscles will get stronger, and you'll build up callouses that will help make it easier to dance on pointe.[24]
- Put on your pointe shoes for at least a few minutes every day, even on days you don't dance. That will help you keep the calluses that will allow you to dance on pointe.[25]
- Professional dancers are expected to be able to dance pointe for long periods at a time. Keep practicing until you can do a whole class on pointe.[26]
[Edit]Becoming a Professional Dancer - Take ballet classes at a reputable school for about 8-10 years. Becoming a professional dancer takes a lot of dedication. It takes years of perfecting your technique before you're ready to start dancing professionally. Sometimes, you might have to sacrifice hanging out with your friends or other after-school activities to pursue your goal. If you really love it though, it will be worth it!
- Most students start at about the age of 7, then take classes until they're in their teens. If you're a little older than that, you can still reach your goal, so don't give up on your dream. However, do be aware that it will take a lot of work—and a decent helping of natural talent.[27]
- Practice most days of the week to condition your body. If you want to be a professional dancer, just taking classes a couple of days a week isn't going to be enough. Plan to dance 5-6 days every single week to make sure you have the technique, muscle memory, and training to accomplish your goal.[28]
- Depending on where you live, you might need to take classes at more than one studio to get the training you'll need.
- Cross-train if you want to build additional strength. Ballet is great for strengthening your body, so if you don't have much time for extra exercise, don't worry too much about it. However, if you want to change things up a little and add a little extra muscle strength, consider adding in activities like swimming, cycling, and yoga.[29]
- These exercises are good for your joints so they'll help with your flexibility, and they use many of the same muscles as ballet.
- Eat a healthy diet that will fuel your body. As a ballet dancer, it's ideal to have a slender frame. However, avoid the temptation to starve yourself to get that ideal dancer's figure. If you want the stamina to work as a professional dancer, you'll need to follow a healthy diet that will fuel your body for long days.[30]
- Pay attention to what foods make you feel energized and which ones make you feel sluggish. That's different for everyone, but in general, lean proteins and plenty of fruits and veggies will give you the best boost, while foods that are high in processed carbs or unhealthy fats will probably make you feel weighed down.
- Professional dancers work long hours—on a typical day, you might dance from 10 am to 7 pm, or even later on a day with a performance.[31]
- Participate in evaluations, competitions, and open classes. Throughout your ballet career, you'll typically have opportunities to dance in performances, be judged in yearly evaluations, and take part in competitions. Try to take advantage of these whenever they come along—if you can catch the eye of a scout, you may be invited to take an open class with a dance company, which can open the door to even more opportunities down the road.[32]
- Summer intensives are ballet camps that are offered by dance companies. This is a great way to get additional dance experience!
- Be prepared to audition for roles so you can dance in various productions!
- Keep in mind that you'll likely need to travel for some of these opportunities.
- Accept a position as an apprentice if you're offered one. If you work hard and get noticed by the right people, you may be offered an apprenticeship with a dance company. Congratulations! This is basically an entry-level position for a professional dancer. You'll basically be an understudy for the core dancers, so even if you don't perform, you'll get the same training they do.[33]
- You'll probably need to move to a large city like New York to perform with a dance company.
- Continue working hard until you're promoted to a core member. Give your apprenticeship the same dedication that you would if you were dancing on stage. Eventually, your talent and devotion might just pay off and land you a spot as a core dancer in the company. At that point, you'll be given more opportunities to dance in company productions.[34]
- Keep working your very hardest—you might even be promoted to lead dancer if you really stand out!
- When you're first checking out dance studios, consider taking a trial class to make sure the studio is a good fit for you. Remember, even if it's hard work, dance class should be fun![35]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make an Indicator Using Hibiscus Petals Posted: 28 May 2021 09:00 AM PDT If you're looking for a fun science experiment to do at home, making an indicator solution might be the perfect project. By mixing dried hibiscus leaves and water, you can make a cheap and sensitive chemical indicator for bases and acids in just a few minutes. After that, you can go wild with testing household items to see where they fall on the pH scale. [Edit]Combine your dried hibiscus petals with water. - You'll need around 2 to 3 grams of dried hibiscus petals. Place your petals in a 150 mL beaker along with 50 to 60 mL of water to start. The water won't change colors just yet, so hang tight![1]
- If you gathered your own hibiscus flowers, gently pluck off the petals and spread them out on a paper towel. Leave the petals in the sun for 2 to 3 days until the leaves look crispy and slightly brown.
[Edit]Boil the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes. - You can use a Bunsen burner or a hot plate. Place your beaker onto the burner, then turn it up high. Get the water boiling for about 5 minutes until it starts to turn dark red.[2]
- No need to stir your mixture—just sit back and relax.
[Edit]Cool the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. - Turn off the burner and let the mixture sit. This will allow all the sediment to settle at the bottom of the pot. You can use this time to ready the rest of your equipment, like a clean beaker and a few test tubes.[3]
- If you pour the liquid too early, you might end up with a chunky, lumpy indicator.
[Edit]Pour the liquid into a clean beaker. - Try not to disturb the petals at the bottom of the liquid. Gently pour the liquid into a clean 100 mL beaker, separating it from the petals. If you're having trouble, set a strainer on top of your beaker and strain the liquid instead.[4]
- The liquid will be a deep red color, but you should still be able to see light shining through it.
[Edit]Mix your chemical with water in a test tube. - Pick out the substance you'd like to test with your hibiscus solution. Add around 1 tsp (5.6 g) of it to the bottom of a test tube, then add 4 to 5 mL of water to the tube with a dropper. Cap the test tube with your finger and shake it up to dissolve the substrate in the water.[5]
- The substance you choose is up to you, but people often use salt, window cleaner, orange juice, apple juice, or toilet bowl cleaner.
[Edit]Add 4 to 5 drops of hibiscus indicator to the tube. - Put your indicator to the test! Use a dropper to add 4 or 5 drops of hibiscus water to the test tube. You'll notice a color change right away as the hibiscus petals interact with the chemical.[6]
- Hibiscus flowers contain the colour pigment anthocyanin, which is a natural chemical indicator.
[Edit]Check the color change of the water. - The color change will tell you if it's acidic or basic. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of less than 7 indicates acidity, while a pH of more than 7 indicates a base. Anywhere from dark pink to pale pink usually indicates an acid, while dark gray to green colors usually indicate a base. The rest of the colors indicate:[7]
- Dark pink: pH 2
- Pink: pH 3 to pH 4
- Pale pink: pH 5
- Lavender: pH 6
- Gray: pH 7 or pH 8
- Dark gray: pH 9
- Brown: pH 10 or pH 11
- Green: pH 12
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 2 to 3 grams of dried hibiscus petals
- 150 mL beaker
- Bunsen burner or a hot plate
- 100 mL beaker
- 1 tsp (5.6 g) of a chemical of your choice
- Test tube
- Dropper
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Know if Someone is Lying Posted: 28 May 2021 01:00 AM PDT Do you suspect that someone lied to you? Thankfully, you don't need a polygraph test to get to the bottom of things. According to body language experts and law enforcement veterans, liars provide plenty of accidental hints and clues when they're being less than honest. When you're speaking with someone you know pretty well, think about their baseline, or how they'd normally act in a stressful situation.[1] If their behavior doesn't seem to add up, check out this list—we've put together lots of signs and red flags to look out for so you can get to the truth of the matter. [Edit]Breathing Rapidly - People tend to breathe heavily when they lie. Listen to their breathing, and keep a close eye on their posture. When breathing heavily, people tend to lift their shoulders and speak in a more shallow tone of voice.[2]
[Edit]Fidgeting or Staying Completely Still - Liars tend to either fidget too much or sit rigidly. Take a close look at their body language—a fidgeting person might shuffle their feet, move their head from side to side, or shift back and forth.[3] On the other hand, a liar might look as still as a statue and not fidget whatsoever.[4]
- In any nerve-wracking situation, like telling a lie, the body goes into "fight or flight" mode. Staying still is more of a "fight" response, which is a red flag.
- Keep the person's baseline behavior in mind, if you can. If a person usually fidgets when standing still, this behavior might not be a sign of lying.[5]
[Edit]Fleeting Microexpressions - Liars tend to show emotion one way or another. In many cases, their expressions will shift for a fraction of a second—these are also known as microexpressions. Pay attention for tiny shifts in a person's face throughout a conversation. A liar might show their real colors for a brief moment, even if they don't mean to.[6]
- For example, a liar might show a microexpression of guilt or regret while telling their story, which proves they could be lying.
[Edit]Darting Eyes - Darting eyes are a big sign of discomfort. If someone just lied to you, they're probably feeling uncomfortable, especially if you're peppering them with questions. If a person's eyes start quickly shifting to the left and right, there's a good chance that they aren't telling the truth.[7]
[Edit]Blinking Fast - Count how many times the person blinks in a row. While the occasional blink is expected, 5 to 6 blinks in a row definitely aren't. If someone starts blinking rapidly, they're probably not telling you the full truth.[8]
- For reference, most people only blink about 5 times in a single minute, not in a matter of seconds.
[Edit]Shutting Eyes - Count how long the person keeps their eyes closed. Normally, people blink in a matter of milliseconds. When telling a lie, they'll shut their eyes for at least 1 second. [9]
[Edit]Faking a Smile - A real smile affects the entire face. When a liar smiles, their expression may look tight or forced, instead of genuine. Think of it this way—if you see crow's feet on a person's face, they're probably telling the truth.[10]
[Edit]Touching their Face - According to experts, people tend to feel itchy after spouting a lie. See if the person is rubbing or scratching their face throughout the conversation. If so, there's a good chance that they aren't telling you the full truth.[11]
[Edit]Pursing Lips - A person's mouth may go dry when they tell a lie. To counteract this, they might purse their lips. Take a close look at their mouth—if their lips look tight and pinched, they might be hiding the truth.[12]
[Edit]Sweating Excessively - The body tends to sweat extra after telling a lie. Does the person's forehead, cheeks, or back of the neck seem especially sweaty? See if the person starts wiping at these areas more than they usually would.[13]
[Edit]Flushing or Turning Pale - Both flushed or pale cheeks can be a sign of lying. After telling a lie, a liar might experience a rush of adrenaline—this adrenaline causes them to blush.[14] In other cases, telling a lie may cause the blood to rush out of a person's face, which makes them look pale.[15]
[Edit]Shaking Their Head - People often nod when telling the truth. On the other hand, some people tend to shake their heads left and right when they lie. Pay close attention whenever they make a statement—If they shake their head while speaking, they might be lying.[16]
[Edit]Gesturing Too Late - Usually, people gesture as they talk, not after. Pay attention to the person's hand movements throughout the conversation. If they're lying, the person will move their hands after sharing their story, instead of while they're telling it.[17]
[Edit]Making Quick Corrections - Liars can't keep track of their stories. Because of this, they'll probably slip up along the way and "correct" themselves. While a couple of corrections aren't necessarily suspicious, constant backtracking and editing definitely are.[18]
[Edit]Repeating Words - Liars tend to repeat words for different reasons. They might say the same phrase over and over to drill it in your mind, or to give themselves some extra time to put together a good lie. Regardless, it's probably bad news if the person in question is repeating themselves a lot.[19]
- For instance, the person might say "I didn't do it" over and over again, or "Listen to me."
[Edit]Speaking Too Vaguely - Liars tend to gloss over the details. A truthful person will remember and include the little details in a story, like what was playing on the radio, or what color the wallpaper was. Since they're making up or heavily editing a story, a liar won't have this same attention to detail, and will speak in a vague, basic way.[20]
[Edit]Talking Slowly - Liars need extra time to get their story straight. A truthful person can recall a story at a pretty normal pace, but a liar will spend extra time lining up the details and editing their story. If the person is speaking a turtle's pace, there's a good chance that they're being deceitful.[21]
[Edit]Speaking in a High Pitch - The vocal cords tend to tighten when a person feels nervous or stressed. Because of this, if someone is telling a lie, their voices might sound a lot higher than usual. Their voice might also sound "creaky," too.[22]
- A person might also clear their throat a lot when they're lying.
[Edit]Using Vocal Filler - Listen for words like "uh," "um," and "like." In some cases, liars will string their lie together on the spot. As they come up with their story, they'll use filler words to bridge the gaps in the conversation.[23]
[Edit]Overstating Honesty - A truthful person doesn't need to state their honesty over and over again. On the other hand, liars may feel the need to remind you about how "honest" they are. If they toss around phrases like "in all candor" or "if I'm being totally honest," there's a good chance they aren't actually being honest at all.[24]
[Edit]Answering Quickly - Some liars create their story ahead of time. When you ask them a question, they'll reply with the story they've already created, instead of taking a moment to come up with an answer. Pay attention to how quickly they reply—an instant answer may be a big red flag.[25]
- People tend to speak more loudly when they lie.[26]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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