Hello everyone,
I just had my first dance class yesterday. It was amazing, but also very difficult. The teachers and students were all very welcoming. I've only taken one class but its something I really love. I have some questions that I hope someone can answer. When practicing at home do you need to practice on a hard floor? My house is mainly carpet except for the kitchen area and bathrooms. Other than practicing, what other ways can you improve your dancing? Also, do arangetrams have to be so expensive. I already know that I plan on having my arangetram but I know my parents could never afford a $10,000+ event. Despite all my questions I'm really excited and hope to become a better dancer.
Thanks
My First Class
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ardhanariswar
- Posts: 107
- Joined: 01 Apr 2008, 22:36
Re: My First Class
Hey congrats!
I'm sure everyone has different opinions on this, but I used to practice successfully on berber carpet. It has a different texture compared to other carpet, the rug burn isn't as bad.
Its definitely recommended that you dance on a hard floor, but I think the material of the flooring plays a bigger role for health of your knees and feet. Hardwood flooring is perhaps the best because it absorbs a lot of the impact whenever you stomp. Concrete on the other hand is really bad because it provides no cushion and your knees absorb a lot of the shock and it can really damage them.
Arangetrams don't need to be expensive at all. I've attended arangetrams that take place at a small venue, sometimes a temple, with recorded music, and very light refreshments. I'm witnessing a growing trend of making an 'arangetram website' and online invitations, which is replacing the fancy wedding-like invitations that were once in vogue.
I think there are few costly expenses that cannot be avoided. Its important that your costumes are finely tailored and your jewelry well made and suitable. Make-up as well, definitely don't skimp on that. I would recommend getting a photographer and a videographer for memories sake too!
Good luck!
I'm sure everyone has different opinions on this, but I used to practice successfully on berber carpet. It has a different texture compared to other carpet, the rug burn isn't as bad.
Its definitely recommended that you dance on a hard floor, but I think the material of the flooring plays a bigger role for health of your knees and feet. Hardwood flooring is perhaps the best because it absorbs a lot of the impact whenever you stomp. Concrete on the other hand is really bad because it provides no cushion and your knees absorb a lot of the shock and it can really damage them.
Arangetrams don't need to be expensive at all. I've attended arangetrams that take place at a small venue, sometimes a temple, with recorded music, and very light refreshments. I'm witnessing a growing trend of making an 'arangetram website' and online invitations, which is replacing the fancy wedding-like invitations that were once in vogue.
I think there are few costly expenses that cannot be avoided. Its important that your costumes are finely tailored and your jewelry well made and suitable. Make-up as well, definitely don't skimp on that. I would recommend getting a photographer and a videographer for memories sake too!
Good luck!
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rainbowdash
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 17 Aug 2011, 04:46
Re: My First Class
Thanks so much for the help!ardhanariswar wrote:Hey congrats!
I'm sure everyone has different opinions on this, but I used to practice successfully on berber carpet. It has a different texture compared to other carpet, the rug burn isn't as bad.
Its definitely recommended that you dance on a hard floor, but I think the material of the flooring plays a bigger role for health of your knees and feet. Hardwood flooring is perhaps the best because it absorbs a lot of the impact whenever you stomp. Concrete on the other hand is really bad because it provides no cushion and your knees absorb a lot of the shock and it can really damage them.
Arangetrams don't need to be expensive at all. I've attended arangetrams that take place at a small venue, sometimes a temple, with recorded music, and very light refreshments. I'm witnessing a growing trend of making an 'arangetram website' and online invitations, which is replacing the fancy wedding-like invitations that were once in vogue.
I think there are few costly expenses that cannot be avoided. Its important that your costumes are finely tailored and your jewelry well made and suitable. Make-up as well, definitely don't skimp on that. I would recommend getting a photographer and a videographer for memories sake too!
Good luck!
How much (as in time) would you suggest I practice a week? Also my thighs and heels hurt, is this just temporary? I really want to show the teachers that I'm committed and that I care. I'm really excited to become a dancer.
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ardhanariswar
- Posts: 107
- Joined: 01 Apr 2008, 22:36
Re: My First Class
No problem!
It really depends on what you're learning each week and what issues you need to work on specifically. For example, you can practice for hours doing a certain adavu, say Kudhitametta. But there's no point if you do it improperly and your heels aren't as high as they can be and the soles of your feet aren't parallel with each other. It's important to master the technique. When I used to learn dance briefly, back in the day, I practiced every other day for about an hour, including warm ups, stretches, and cool downs. When I first started out, I practiced far less frequently because my leg muscles were too incredibly sore. But it will get better in time! Ask your teacher for their thoughts as well.
I think its important to treat it like a sport and make sure to do strength training (weight lifting) and exercises to build up endurance, on top of regularly practicing.
It really depends on what you're learning each week and what issues you need to work on specifically. For example, you can practice for hours doing a certain adavu, say Kudhitametta. But there's no point if you do it improperly and your heels aren't as high as they can be and the soles of your feet aren't parallel with each other. It's important to master the technique. When I used to learn dance briefly, back in the day, I practiced every other day for about an hour, including warm ups, stretches, and cool downs. When I first started out, I practiced far less frequently because my leg muscles were too incredibly sore. But it will get better in time! Ask your teacher for their thoughts as well.
I think its important to treat it like a sport and make sure to do strength training (weight lifting) and exercises to build up endurance, on top of regularly practicing.
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rasika5552
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 12 Oct 2011, 13:07
Re: My First Class
The best surface is stone like in the temples in India where the temple dancers danced.ardhanariswar wrote:Concrete on the other hand is really bad because it provides no cushion and your knees absorb a lot of the shock and it can really damage them.
Someone said wooden floor dealers were the first ones to encourage dancers to stomp hard, hitting the stiff foot on its heel first (instead of dropping a relaxed foot softly starting from the toes to achieve a slapping sound) - so that there would be more damage to the bones and the spine so that doctors could earn more money from treating dancers, replace their knees and the like. Dance teachers take special care not to teach the students to stomp their feet in the right position (araimandi, etc.) so that they would get a commission from the doctors' fees.