Diving back into a training schedule after a break, if not done right, can lead to a variety of injuries and setbacks for dancers.

In the September-October 2020 issue of Irish Dancing Magazine, Target Training founder, Ellen Waller, has fabulous tips on how dancers can return to intensive dance training safely. 

Doing too little for too long, then doing too much too soon, can lead to a variety of injuries and setbacks for dancers. This can lead to negative self-talk, feelings of inadequacy and injuries.

Anyone who is getting back to dance or increasing their dance load after taking time off, needs to take it slowly.

TIP 1: FORGET ABOUT THE PAST & MENTALLY PREPARE

Forget about where you were before the break started. Instead, focus on where you are now and the steps you will take to regain your skills, stamina and strength. One useful tool that will help is visualisation.

Sit in a quiet space and close your eyes. Begin visualising your dances with perfect execution and/or challenging movements in your steps. This will help reduce nervousness surrounding your return, strengthen your mentality, and ease you back into dance.

TIP 2: TAKE IT SLOW & GO STEP-BY-STEP  

Regaining your skills, endurance, strength and flexibility must be done gradually and over time to reduce your risk of injury. The National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model is a great tool to follow.

It is a three-level system with five training phases beginning with a stabilisation endurance training period. This period develops a strong structural foundation that will be the base of future strength, power and endurance training.

Get started on your stabilisation development by following the three exercises at the end of this article.

TIP 3: MAKE A PLAN

A well-devised training and dance plan will help you return to dance safely and allow you to focus on what you are working on that day.

Without a plan, dancers tend to get 'lost' in what to do, often resulting in not doing anything or trying to do too much all at once.

Solicit help from a training coach and your dance coach to help devise a plan that works for your ability, is structured around your goals and needs, and will help you safely return to dance.

Life on lockdown is difficult for everyone and Irish Dancers are no exception. While many in Europe are now experiencing a second wave of restrictions, dance studios in America are slowly beginning to feis again and dancers are excited to be back to the business of dancing.   

When Celtic Steps of Colorado announced their feis, the Celtic Steps Championships and US Belt was moving forward in late September, four Brady Academy families from Boston signed up for the feis, even though it meant flights, rental cars, and hotels.

The Fraser, Harrington, O’Donnell and Pinkham families were beyond excited to be back on the feis circuit after being sidelined for so long. Confident that Celtic Steps would deliver a safe environment, the families took the plunge back into the feis scene.     

Dancers Neve (U10), Claire (U12), Ronan (U11) and Nola (U10) could not contain their excitement to be feising again. The dancers had travelled together in the past, including for the 2020 All Irelands in February where Ronan placed in Boys 10-11 and the girls all recalled and finished in the top 30. After the All Irelands, the families were planning to travel together to the 2020 Worlds, but those plans were squashed by the pandemic.

 

Pictured: The Brady Academy families at the All Irelands in February 2020

IDM Delivers more than a magazine with the debut of IDMSHOP!

You asked for it and we are delivering apparel to Irish Dancing & Culture fans.  The shop offers traditional merchandise from IDM's classic logo to fun apparel along with clever slogans/sayings that only an Irish Dancer would understand. There is something for everyone including baby, toddler, children, and adult sizes.  For those with a furry fan, we have a special doggie tee as well!

Plus, for dancers all over the world who missed dancing at their World or National competition, IDM debuted our own exclusive styles to commemorate this fabulous achievement. 

Check out all the styles including a few of our favorite styles perfect for dance class, a Christmas gift, or even to celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2021:

 

 

Event Raised over €450,000 For Cancer.

On the 28th August, Riverdance appeared on Concert4Cancer, broadcast on Virgin Media Ireland. The event also featured performances from  Nathan Carter, Brian Kennedy, Gary Barlow, Aimée, Kodaline, The Coronas and Ronan Keating.

The Concert4Cancer raised over €450,000 for the Marie Keating Foundation, one of the largest cancer charities in Ireland. The charity was founded in 2001 in memory of Marie Keating, Ronan’s mother, who passed away in 1998 from breast cancer at the young age of 51.

Director/co-founder of Riverdance, John McColgan explained why the troupe was excited to get involved with this charity project.

 “When we were approached to get involved in this Concert4Cancer we were absolutely delighted to do so. We felt that if Riverdance can use the power of its music, its dance and its reach, to help this great cause, then we absolutely have to do what we can to lend our support.”

One of the troupe members, World Champion, Elliot Kwelele took to the stage for the second time with Riverdance as part of their flying squad. He shared on his Instagram account. 

Elliot pictured - front row far right

"Collab" Showcases Irish Dance in Unique Way 

The USA Irish Dance Alliance (USAIDA) has a vision for their dancers which includes a balance of performing and competitive opportunities. When Irish Dancing competitions came to a grinding halt, the group wanted to offer something unique to their dancers to keep them inspired and excited about dance.

After discussing with their board, the USAIDA enlisted the assistance of Hammerstep's dance troupe, whose roots are firmly based in the Irish Dancing genre, to create something very new and different for the dance community to enjoy.

Hammerstep is known for exploring ways to push the Irish Dancing genre forward by combining Irish Dance with elements from other dance forms such as hip hop, tap, stepping and others. 

Hammerstep founders, Jason Oremus and Garrett Coleman agreed to take on this ambitious project to teach dancers a new performing style along with the goal of creating a video to showcase the results of the collaboration. Due to the global pandemic, the ambitious project was all done remotely.

During the month of June, 100 dancers from various schools across multiple states attended two zoom workshop classes each week. Filming took place the first week in July. The dancers submitted their footage for consideration and within two weeks a striking, music-dance video was edited and published online.

The music-dance video was choreographed and directed around a specific concept and synchronized to a music track, both in the dancing and the editing.

Innovative Dance Teacher Creates Unique Experience for Children

Michael Dillon recently hit a roadblock when planning his annual dance summer camp in San Francisco due to city-wide restrictions put in place where week-long indoor camps were prohibited. Known for his "out-of-the-box" thinking, Michael worked around these restrictions while keeping his dancers engaged with a week-long, outdoor scavenger hunt!

During the scavenger hunt, participants discovered more about the beautiful city of San Francisco. The children learned about many of the unique aspects of the Irish culture including dance, history, and Irish sports. Irish Dance steps were incorporated into each day in a fun and engaging way for the children. 

As the stay at home order eases in many parts of the world, we are seeing competitions restart and dance schools re-opening while diligently adhering to recommended safety restrictions and guidelines. It's a new dance world, yet the return to dance is thrilling. Dancers could not be more excited to be BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF DANCE!

Competitions are Baacckkkk!! 

Last weekend life took another step towards the pre-pandemic norm with several schools hosting full feiseanna. With full Covid-19 precautions in place, these competitions allowed dancers to once again publicly demonstrate the skills & steps that they have been working so hard to perfect. 

  1. Dance Shoe History
  2. Dance Dad DIY Project!
  3. Irish Dance Unites!
  4. And the Feising Goes On!
  5. NEW CONTENT!
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Enter these IDM Contests!

Comeback Kids

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Package includes: Your dancer's photo, your message & an inspirational quote included in this special feature. And YOUR dancer will receive a commemorative copy to keep and treasure!

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Irish Dancing & Culture Magazine ( Irish Dancing Magazine) is the world's leading magazine and website dedicated to Irish Dancing & Culture.

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