Background of the study(draft) for Reswrt

A.      Background of the study

Nowadays, many new forms of sports are being introduced all over the world. Some of these sports may be related to dancing, especially to ballet, such as figure skating and gymnastics. Sports is all forms of competitive physical activity which through casual or organised participation aim to use, maintain or improve physical ability and provide entertainment to participants and to the audience as well. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport)

Dancing also requires strength, agility, endurance, skills, coordination, and dedication as much as sports require it.  These are the things that are common to dancers and athletes to be able to become a professional one. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, dance is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.

Some sports have the same concept with dance; examples are Figure Skating and Gymnastics. These two competitive sports have the same idea and concept with Ballet, from the flexibility of body that is needed, the discipline an individual should have in taking these things, and the trainings and maybe the routines that they’re conducting. The only difference is that gymnasts and skaters compete for a prize while a ballerina doesn’t, they just perform to be able to express their emotions and as well as to entertain people with their moves. But there are now dances that were considered as a competitive sport.

During the 19^th century, a new sport has been introduced worldwide. It’s not just a sport itself but it is a combination of dance and sport. This is known as dancesport, or in other words, a competitive ballroom dancing. This sport has its first unofficial championship in the year 1909. And the first formation team was presented in the year 1932 by Olive Ripman at the Astoria, Ballroom, London. Dancesport was first broadcast on TV on the year 1960. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancesport)

Ballroom has been considered as a sport during the 19^th century, therefore Ballet can be considered as one also. For some, ballet is just an art and can never be considered as a sport, because for them ballerinas don’t compete with each other, but their goal is to entertain the people and audience Well for some instance, ballet has common things with that of skating and gymnastics that can be a basis to consider ballet as a sport.

Instead of dealing with comparing what sport and dance is individually, this study will focus on factors that will help ballet to be considered as a competitive sport.

Ballerina's training

Ballerinas, just like athletes, also need to work hard during training to be able to enhance their talent and skills in it. They do some stretching and warm ups before they undergo hard drills, and learn new difficult stunts just like what other ordinary athletes do.

According to the article I have read, Training routine of a Ballerina, Ballerinas warm up by doing some random dances on the stage together with the music. They jump, twirl, and bend throughout the music and ends it with a graceful step as the music slowly fades away that will cause them to stop but in a graceful pose.

Ballerinas have those learning stages to be able to become a good ballerina in the future. They usually begins at 9 but there training is not as hard as those professional ballerinas of course. In this stage they were taught of the basic and easy routines. They usually conducts their classes once or twice a week just for them to still focus into their studies.

When they started to reach the age of 11 and 12, they were now taught how to toes shoes. Well of course, this is taught at an early age so that it'll be easier for them to learn how to lift their own body since they weight lighter. Well of course, in this stage injuries such as sprains will never be prevented since it's part when you're undergoing a physical training.

A professional dancer trains 6 to 7 times a day. Yes, a day. Imagine just how hard ballerinas' training routine are? And each sessions lasted for 1 1/2 to 3 hours. Imagine these, professional ballerinas almost spend their entire day just practicing ballet. Just like what was said in the article'  "By the time the dancer becomes a ballerina; her life is devoted to ballet. Even as a professional, the rigors and discipline are mandatory."

The reason why is this so is because, ballerinas should keep their physical condition on top, no matter the dancer's a soloist or accompanied by a partner.

Ballerinas begins their day by having their breakfast before their 7AM training. After that they will warm up and stretch to avoid cramps.This daily work out serves as a preparation for their upcoming rehearsals and performances.

With the ihe information I've provided, isn't it too hard to become a ballerina? Those discipline, and routine you need to have for you to become a professional ballerina is not that easy to gain. But still, if you want to pursue your dream of becoming a famous ballerina someday, you might as well start your training now.

Benefits of Ballet

Dancing ballet is not just about entertaining people, and expressing your feelings to others, it also has this benefits in our life especially when it comes physically and mentally. It does not just help us to have a proper posture thus it also helps us to look younger than our actual age is.

I've read an article about the benefits of ballet.(Benefits of Ballet) And I found some benefits from this article. Here as follows:

• Corrects Posture
• Works your muscles
• Fights stress
• Boosts your intellectual capability

Well, I do agree with this article. First, having a correct posture makes someone look credible, especially if he/she is applying for a job in the future. Not just that, it also helps someone have stronger bones especially when he/she reached the old age where they're much prone to different type of bone deficiency such as osteoporosis. 

Dancing ballet also helps you to work with your muscle. Imagine yourself having those fats in your body? It looks awkward, right? If you dance ballet, you will be able to work your muscles out because in this kind of dance you should learn how to carry your own body.

Ballet also makes your body more flexible. And having a more flexible body gives you the chance to have a more slender body. Getting the waistline you've ever dreamed of.

Fights stress. Ballet fights stress in the case that when you dance ballet, the music that is mostly played were classical music which were more pleasant for the ear. It may also be some kind of yoga that may help you relax and lose weight as well.

And lastly, it helps in boosting your intellectual capability because you were given the chance to think and goes with the music flow. It also helps in increasing your gracefulness.

Here are just some of the benefits ballet is providing to our body, physically and mentally. Dancing ballet can help us to forget the past, make a good present to have a better future.

Ballerinas' Diet

Have you tried to tiptoe just like ballerinas do? It hurts a lot, right; especially if you don't do it the proper way, and you're not able to practice it a lot. Ballerinas took a long time, maybe, just to tiptoe like that. Well, it wasn't easy to put your weight on your upper limb rather than putting it on your feet.

Ballerinas do some diet for them to be able to dance well. Normally, ballerinas have small bodies. They even look so light with their body feature. Well of course, they do need that. They’ve been bending always when dancing and they wouldn't be able to do that if they have big bodies. Imagine a ballerina with unfit body; I guess it would be harder for her/him to bend his/her body.

As I became more interested about Ballerinas’ diet, I found an article regarding this. I have searched an article on what Ballerinas eat during meal. And I found out this fact, according to Jae Ireland in his article,  What does a Ballerina Eat?, “A smart ballerina relies on balanced meals for dancing fuel, rather than starvation tactics in order to lose weight.”

Well, it's true. Because if the ballerina skipped a meal, this may cause her to become dizzy which may affect her body balance. Even if you're not a ballerina, skipping meals may cause you that. As a person, we do all need a healthy and balanced diet to avoid diseases and illness.

Going back to ballerinas, according to one article that I have read, What is Ballerina's Diet, ballerinas are also considered as athletes that also requires to maintain a physically fit body for them to be able to perform well. Well of course, they also need energy while dancing. It is also mentioned in the article that drinking 10 cups of water is also essential to maintain a healthy body.

According to Allison Adams, If you are a ballerina, you should consider yourself an athlete, and you should follow a similar nutritional regimen as do other athletes who expend a similar amount of energy. As a ballerina, you should also vary your food source and ensure that your body receives all its required nutrients. Further, you should regulate your carbohydrate intake by making sure that you consume only complex carbohydrates. Well of course, but even though you;re not an athlete, or a ballerina, you must also consider these healthy tips to be able to have a healthy life and to enjoy life more.

Assignment for 10-10-12

1. Narrowing down the topic

Topic: Dancing

• Genres of Dance
• What is the basic lifestyle of a dancer?
• What is the basic lifestyle of a ballerina?
• How do their lifestyle affects them as a ballerina?

2. Tentative Outline:

      I. Definition and History of Ballet

                 A. Origin

                 B. Famous International Ballerinas

     II. Lifestyle of a Ballerina

                 A. Healthy Diet

                         1. Type of food

                         2. Posture

                 B. Time Management

                         1. Rehearsals

    III. Effects

                A. Positive

                B. Negative

                         1. Injuries

3. Informal Writing to Formal writing

Informal: 

     Related to the meaning above, I've also found an article which states that Contemporary Dancers are considered as the most creative dancers among other dancers. It is because contemporary dancers dance freely based on their emotions and feelings. And with those free movements they’re doing while the music is being played is considered creativity. Some researches also says that it is also because of their personality. 

Formal:

    Related to the meaning above, considered as the most creative dancers among others are Contemporary Dancers. It is because contemporary dancers dance freely based on their emotions and feelings. Creativity is making free movements while the music is being played. Some researches also states that it may also be based on personalities.

4. Statement of the Problem

How do their lifestyle affects them as a ballerina?

It's Free to Dance

Have you ever imagined yourself being one of the members of the “The Mob” in the movie, Step Up 4? Wherein you’ll suddenly dance on different places your group plans to, catching all the people’s attention, surprising and amusing them with our cool dance moves, and ignoring their different reactions as long as you were able to express the message you want to tell them.

I, being a fan of the movie Step Up, have always dreamed of dancing just like one of them. I really love how they move their body, the attitude they’re showing, and the confidence they have while dancing. I wonder where they got that kind of talent, and how did they come up with those cool and amazing dance moves.

Those dance moves from Step Up reminds me of the TV Show, So You Think You Can Dance, where the contestants dance freely based on how they feel the music being played on. That dance style is called Contemporary Dance. According to Treva Badinghaus, “contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.”

Related to the meaning above, I've also found an article which states that Contemporary Dancers are considered as the most creative dancers among other dancers. It is because contemporary dancers dance freely based on their emotions and feelings. And with those free movements they’re doing while the music is being played is considered creativity. Some researches also says that it is also because of their personality. (http://www.livescience.com/16025-modern-dancers-creative.html)

Well, for me it doesn't matter if the dance is choreographed or not as long as you were able to express yourself by dancing. And being graceful is a lot more creative, right? As long as you maintain your posture and gracefulness in dancing, your audience will still consider it creative and awesome.

"People dance because dance can change things. One move, can bring people together. One move, can make you believe like there's something more. One move, can set a whole generation free. "- Moose; Step Up 3D

While writing about this article I have formulated some follow-up questions about this. Here are some:

• What personality traits does Contemporary Dancers have that differs from other dancers?
• Is it really true that dancing freely is more creative than choreographed dance steps?
• Isn't improvise dancing is almost the same choreographed dancing? If not, in what aspects are they different?

For me to able to find out the answers to those questions, i intend to do some researches about improvise dancing and choreograph dancing. I will also do some interviews to some professional dancers I know.