Welcome to Dance Data ! Dance Tips and Resources

March 20, 2008: Volume 1, Issue 12

Spring is finally here. The robins are flitting about, flowers are blooming, there are buds on the trees, people are out walking, running and riding their bikes. It is time to put away the snow boots and warm coats, get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Spring rejuvenates us and what better way to show it than to get out and dance! If you are like me, you will have an extra spring in your step and lightness in your soul. Sunshine makes me smile. Dancing makes me smile. Smiling makes me feel good!  Speaking of feeling good, have you signed up for our Dance Cruise, yet? If not, you can still reserve your cabin for only $50 if you act before March 29, 2009. Prices start at only $659.53 per person. That includes all taxes and fees, plus all the workshops, dancing and activities. The cruise is for 7 nights aboard the Carnival Splendor, cruising to the Mexican Riviera on Sept. 27, 2009. Join us for a great time! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your world! Ras Girls Michele Rasmussen, Ras #1 Cindy Rastutis, Ras #2

Tip Of The Week

Smile! I am certain that you have all heard the expression, "Smile and the whole world smiles with you." This would be a great week to test out that theory. Here are a few really great tips on just how to develop a great smile. Be sure to practice good hygiene. It is always a good idea to check your teeth for food or lipstick. I am not sure why lipstick sticks better to teeth than lips, but it sure does! Think happy thoughts. Even if you are in a bad mood, I am sure that you have at least one happy thought you can draw from. Even the smallest smile can make you feel better. Smile with your eyes. That extra twinkle really lights up your entire face. I know this may sound silly, but practice in a mirror or look at photos of yourself. The added practice is sure to brighten any mood. Smile at everyone and notice their response. The world will thank you!

Recent Article

Finding Your Center or Dance Core Have you ever heard the expression, "You need to find your center" or " Lead or follow with your core?"  If you haven't, and you are just learning to dance, then rest assured you will. If you are wondering what I am talking about you are not alone. I did not have a clue what people were talking about when they first referred to my "center" or "core". While I am not really sure how to explain it to you, I will try. It is the ability to have your body weight centered over your feet at all times, enabling you to always be prepared to move in any direction at any time. Here are a few exercises that might help you. You can practice these just about anywhere you are such as: standing in a line, waiting for the microwave, stirring something on the stove, drying your hair or even watching TV. These BALANCE EXERCISES should help to strengthen your coordination, muscles, and reflexes. Stand on a hard surface with weight distributed equally upon both of your feet with your knees slightly bent. Slowly lift one leg, leaving all of your weight on one foot. Have your weight between the heel and the ball of your foot equally, with more weight on the inside of the foot. You will find that you will need to adjust your weight until you find the place where you are completely stable. This can require quite a bit of practice and adjustment, but once you master that "sweet spot" you will find that it becomes easier to settle into that spot much more quickly and naturally. It will become second nature and comfortable. Practice taking turns on each foot. Once you become "stable" try adding movement. Wave your arms and your free leg. Remember the Karate Kid and his crazy pose? Try it! Make sure to keep your awareness on the position of your mid-foot. This also helps to build calf strength which is essential for solid, consistent dance balance.  Another important aspect of centering yourself requires knowing and seeing where you are. Do not fall into the habit of dancing through glazed eyes. Focus your eyes, find your "point of reference" sometimes it will be your partner, other times it will be where you are traveling to. To demonstrate what I am saying stand barefoot with BOTH FEET TOUCHING. Now roll up to the balls of your feet and balance there. Once you have your balance perfect… close your eyes. Do you feel yourself have to struggle to keep your balance? Now open your eyes and focus. See the difference. See how important our vision is in helping us to find our balance? Practice using your eyes, it will help you stay balanced by keeping your center over your feet. Now continue to practice standing on the balls of your feet. One at a time, and both together.  Now try spreading your toes. Use the ball of your foot right behind your big toe, your big toe and little baby pinky toe to create the tripod. This will also help you to remain balanced and centered. One of your goals should be to remain balanced and centerd ready to move in any direction at any time. Remembering to practice all of these little tips will help to improve your balance, find your center or core and bring your dancing to a higher level.

Upcoming Events

Los Angeles Premier Dance Classic, LA, Ca. - April 3-5, 2009 USA Dance 2009 National DanceSport Championship - April 3-5, 2009 Seattle Easter Swing Championship - April 9-12, 2009 Reno Dance Sensation - April 16-19, 2009 Swing Diego West Coast Swing Dance Convention - May 7-10, 2009 Frezno Dance Classic - May 21-25, 2009 Quest for the Best, Seattle - May 16, 2009 NJ DanceSport Classic Summer Sizzle - June 13-14, 2009 Seattle Easter SwingChampionships - April 9 - 12, 2009 Reno Dance Sensation - April 16 -19, 2009

Blog Re-Cap

How many of you are fortunate enough to have a place to dance one or two nights a week? If so, then you might want to check out Ballroom Dancers and Swing Dancers Beware. It is sure to help keep everyone happy.   Please be sure and share your dancing stories with us. We love to hear about your trials and triumphs! http://www.ras-this.com/

Resources

Online Dance Instruction: www.learntoballroomdanceonline.com Ballroom Dance Association: www.USAdance.org National Association of Swing Dance Events: http://www.nasde.net/ USA Swing Dance Network: http://www.usaswingnet.com/

Keeping Up with the Ras-Girls Our Blog: www.Ras-This.com Be our friend on MySpace Add Michele as a friend on Facebook Add Cindy as a friend on Facebook Twitter Follow Michele at http://twitter.com/LovetoDance Twitter Follow Cindy at http://twitter.com/threerivers33 Email address: ras.this@gmail.com About Us We are Cindy Rastutis and Michele Rasmussen, aka The Ras Girls, #2 . We share the same hopes and dreams (and often times a brain) as many of you, and hope to share the joy that we have found by learning to Dance in the Rain. Thank-You!