It’s March 15th 2020 and US has (FINALLY!) woken up to the impact and seriousness of the exponential spread of the Corona virus can mean to us, as individuals and community at large. It is important we each take responsibility for our actions, our hygiene and our own mental strength, and as much as we think it’s a selfish take, it is because of our look inward that we can save the others around us.
Corona Pandemic has put a complete stop to our normal activities. In fact, they just released a statement saying that for the next 8 weeks, it is recommended that no more than 50 people gather together. So, essentially, many of our activities are canceled up until May 08 2020. (8 weeks right?)
We cannot socialize in large numbers, schools and colleges have closed and thought it is not the spring break we all envisioned and expected, we now have a lot of free time on our hands. Well, as dancers, we may not have dance lessons and parents may be able to access Math worksheets and SAT workbooks online, but what about dance? Dance is an aerobic activity and our muscles and body will completely lsoe its inbuilt stamina and strength if we don’t keep at it.
How do we continue to keep our dance reflexes intact and not rush in the next two weeks? How do we keep our muscles from not crying in pain when we eventually do go back to dance class? How do we forget to smile through that pain and how do we not allow our muscles to become lax? How to basically not go back to the basics? All that work that you as a student and your teacher has put in over time cannot be allowed to slip and go to waste.
Fret Not Dear Parents (or students)
We are here to the rescue! (or at least so we think, so just indulge us)
We have put together a rough calendar of activities and a schedule that you may want to print off and use so that you stay in touch with the dancer inside of you! Since each dance form has a different set of basics, and we cannot make it too specific, please use the following as a guideline and adapt as you see fit and make it personal.
We have however broadly divided into three categories; Beginner, Junior and Advanced student. There is also a link to a spreadsheet planner below that you can add to your drive and use to keep your practice in check.
Idea Bank:
- Listen to Music – classical music is good, but any kind of music that makes you pay attention to patterns and rhythm (Time: however long you want)
- Practice Yoga – Yoga tunes and works on your posture and muscles a lot, and if you allow it, your thoughts as well. So maybe spend some time doing a few postures, focus on strengthening your quads, hips, lower back and shoulders (where the bulk of your dance form rests) (Time: 20 minutes a day, rope a partner in, or do it with your mom/dad)
- Watch Youtube Videos of OTHER DANCERS – YouTube is a treasure! Check out the famous dancers and gurus of your dance form! All you have to do is click one video, and YouTube will show you a similar one in the suggestions. Use the algorithm. Why should you watch? Because we learn a lot by watching and observing, and sub-conscious learning can help you learn quicker in the dance class. (Time: At least watch 2 videos a day)
- Practice the Head and Neck movements and Mudras. Stand in front of the mirror and just do them to see how best you can make them fluid. (Time: Do it while you brush your teeth or when you are bored or when you are listening to music)
- Create an Arts Project: Compose a dance for your favorite music, mix up dance styles and compose Indian classical to a rap song, teach someone to learn some basic steps, create a series on tik tok or instagram, create a quiz where you question the different kinds of mudras and hastas, Come up with different names for your mudras so it’s easier to remember. Translate the songs into context relevant English lyrics and so on! (Time: Can be an afternoon project or a two week long one)
- Get your cardio up: Pick up another non-dance cardio activity that will increase your heart rate. Skipping in place, treadmill, running with your dog, cycling, hoola hoop, squats and so many more! (Time: Try to keep heart rate up for 15 minutes)
- Create a dance collage: Find all your dance pictures from when you started, get them printed and make a nice collage or a scrapbook! Your mom will love you for it! (Time: Can be a 3 days to 2 week project)
..and so the list goes on, but you get the drift! Not all dance related has to be do with just immediate dance, but it is about all else you CAN do to support your dance education.
Ready?
Click on the level of your dance practice
to download and use!
BEGINNER SCHEDULE (Less than 3 years training)
JUNIOR SCHEDULE (4-7 years training)
SENIOR SCHEDULE (8 years training and above)
Click here for a template to track your dance work or any other work!
Quick how-to for using the sheet: Click on link above. Under File, add to MY Drive or Download. Open workbook, add all the activities you want to track under Column B. DO NOT edit the 2nd worksheet. That’s it. You are set! Every time you finish an activity, remember to mark it on the tracker. At the end of the month, you can see how many times you practiced an activity and feel super proud of yourself!
That’s it. Stay safe. Sacrifice a few days of not meeting your friends. Facetime them and stay low and only through this we can beat the virus, and we will!
Love,
Team Tandavam!
pssst: Did you know we launched our YouTube channel? . We will release a video every Tuesday. If you’d like to be featured, write to us or just email us at tandavam.events @ gmail.com and we can talk!
