Inspiring Irish Dance

This guy is amazing!  From the comments on YouTube I deduce that he placed high at World's this year. 

Utah Adult Team Makes an Appearance at the WRO

This article first appeared in the July/August issue of Feis America Magazine.

Eight women from the Crawford School of Irish Dance made history when they became the first adult ladies team from the state of Utah to compete in a regional competition. In November, the team attended the Western Regional Oireachtas in Denver, Colorado.

After an early morning of preparation, the ladies danced their ceili. Some of them felt that they had never danced better. The audience agreed, and comments like “Nice altitude” followed them off the stage.

Suspense and anticipation built as the team waited to hear their results. When the five judges tallied their marks, the women were thrilled: they had received third place!

The delight of placing and the contagious excitement at the Oireachtas made the trip a success. But when the event was over and the ladies returned home, they agreed that the biggest bonus came from making Jill Crawford, their TCRG, proud of them.

So now that the Crawford adult team has made their debut, when will we see them next? Watch closely, you may catch a glimpse of them making history as the first adult team from Utah to attend Nationals in July!

How to Train Your Turn-out

Adult Irish dancers are more likely to get injured than their younger counterparts. But all dancers can benefit by taking action to prevent injury and increase their muscle strength. This article is the third in a series focusing on what adult dancers can do to maintain a healthy body.

If you dance Irish, chances are good that you have been told to work on turn-out. You make a mental note and begin your dance again, hoping that if you try hard enough, your feet will magical turn-out by themselves. Turning out is frequently talked about, but commonly misunderstood.

In her book, Inside Ballet Technique, author Valerie Grieg states that the extent to which an individual can rotate their legs is largely pre-determined by genetics. Muscle flexibility, the shape of hip bones and sockets, and the elasticity of ligaments contribute to the amount of natural turnout a person may have. Because of the genetics factor, Grieg is of the opinion that the action of turning out the leg is more important to movement than the angle that is attained. She does note that before the age of eleven the structure of the bone may be influenced by exercises.

But turn-out in your sport is a not an option, it’s a requirement.

So what’s a dancer to do? The answer may be as simple as a change of perception.

Dr. Jack Giangiulio, a dance injury chiropractor, says that at least 90% of poor hip turn out is caused by meager foot control (the other 10% can relate to a lack of lumbo-pelvic coordination, and genetics). Dr. Jack says, ”It is not usually about strength or even flexibility, it is just a matter of reconnecting (a dancer’s) neurology to coordinate the muscles.”

Try Dr. Jack’s simple suggestions to improve your turnout. A slow and steady approach to training the foot is best.

■First, check to make sure that your feet are in a neutral position:

While standing with your heels together, turn-out your feet. Ask a friend to place two fingers under the arch of your foot. If your friend’s fingers cannot fit under your arches, you are rolled-in. If more than two fingers fit under your arches, you are rolled-out. Repeat with your feet crossed over.

■Practice keeping your feet in a neutral position:

Resume standing with your heels together, making sure that the heel and all toes remain on the floor. Align your knees with your toes and hold the position for two minutes. Repeat in a crossed position. Daily repetition may be required for up to four weeks to re-train the muscles in your feet. Note: this position will require you to temporarily reduce your turn-out while your body re-trains.

■After you gain control over your feet, you can add exercises for increasing turn-out recommended by your dance teacher.

“The idea here is to teach the body that the hip, knees, and foot must always be in alignment, and to keep the foot in the neutral position.” Dr. Jack explains.

When your feet are turned out with greater foot control, your dancing will look nothing short of magical.

So do you use certain exercises to improve your turn-out?


You can find more articles on foot control by visiting Dr. Jack Giangiulio’s website http://www.danceinjurydoctor.com/.
This article originally appeared on Diddlyi Magazine.

Free copy of Feis America Magazine

"Feis America is the only family magazine for Irish dance enthusiasts in North America and beyond. The focus of the magazine is family, positive self image, health and the multi-generational bonds that unite us through our passion for Irish dance and culture. Littlies to grandparents will enjoy the rich editorial and adventures in every issue. A reasonably priced magazine that transcends time zones and region boundaries is a small way to feel a big connection!"

The folks at Feis America Magazine are thinking of releasing issues in a PDF format along with the hardcopy of the bi-monthly magazine.

The Irish dance magazine recently acquired Hornpipe Magazine, formally published by Bartleby Press out of Austin, Texas, since 1999.

According to the magazine's blog, international customers can order an online version of the North America-based magazine for a fee of $5.00.  If you live outside of North America, you can start brandishing your swords: now you can subscribe to North America's premier magazine for Irish dance enthusiasts. 

To try out the PDF version of the magazine, follow Feis America on twitter, or facebook, then send a note to efeisamerica@gmail.com and you will soon receive a link for a free copy of one of their issues.

Avoiding the Competition

Thanks to ScullyPA's  YouTube video, we now know exactly how to avoid competition at our next feis:

Adult Eight-hand Team Prepares for Oireachtas

This article first appeared in the Mar/Apr 2010 issue of Feis America Magazine.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

     You might be tempted to think that the challenges of Irish dancing as an adult outweigh any benefits. 

     After all, adults may have a harder time scheduling lessons, learning steps, dealing with stage fright, and getting their feet to do what their brains want.  But where the body is weak, the spirit is determined.  Adults all over the worlare taking on the challenges and reaping the benefits of Irish dance.

     The women in the Crawford School of Irish Dance’s eight-hand team come from different parts of the country, have varied family demographics and may disagree on where to eat for girls’ night out, but they share a common bond:  a love of Irish dance, discovered later in life. It’s plain to see that the Utah team members are familiar with the struggles of adult Irish dancing, but also recognize the rewards that come with it.

     Adult competition, especially team figures, can be stressful.  Sarah Lindsay feels the strain. “There is still a little pressure to not let your teammates down,” she says.  “You definitely don't want to be the one who ruins it for the team.”

     Hillary Hoopes agrees, saying, “The team feels like a family and not only do I want to do better for myself, but I want to do better for them.”

     The pressure of performing together as a team can be challenging for adult dancers, who often have to balance their dance family with work and family at home.  Training for the 2009 Western Regional Oireachtas, the Crawford team found themselves juggling additional practices with their already busy schedules.

     “Balancing it is all about creating boundaries for yourself and allowing time for other things in your life,” says Hillary.

     Alyson McKean-Bown doesn’t mind the craziness; she says, “I like to be busy, and Irish dance is my sanity – I love it.”

     No matter how much they sacrifice for their dancing, adults often find themselves battling with negativity towards their pursuit of a hobby in later years.

      “People don’t take us as seriously because we are adults.  I wish we would get more recognition,” Alyson says.

     “Some schools will not teach adults.  They think it’s a waste of time,” Deedra Lambert adds. “They don’t understand what an asset we can be.  Adults help with feisanna and fundraisers, and contribute time to the schools.”

     With all of the pressures, juggling, and lack of recognition that come with adult dancing, you might question why adult dancers submit themselves to the rigorous art form.  Yet, if you ask any one of the Crawford’s adult team if all of the exertion is worth it, the answer will be an emphatic “Yes!”

     Adults are finding hidden treasures in Irish dance.  They are gaining new skills, boosting their exercise, and discovering lasting friendships. 

     Learning a new skill later in life can be daunting.  Sarah understands the frustration.  “I think a lot of adults can be hard on themselves when starting to compete in Irish dance,” she says, adding, “It gets easier, so just have fun and don't take yourself too seriously.”

     As they worked towards the Oireachtas, the team learned that physical fitness is a bonus that results from their Irish dancing.

     The women on the team are already active.  Maggie Hawley, for instance, goes hiking and to the gym, and uses Wii Fit to stay in shape.  Other team members run marathons, train for sprints and participate in other forms of dance. 

     “Sprint training is useful for our eight hand reel,” says Deedra. “It builds stamina for the longer dances.”

     Not only does Irish dance improve stamina, it can help tone unused core muscles and provide an aerobic workout.

     The eight women expected to gain a new skill and increase their activity, but what they didn’t count on were the added benefits of lasting friendships and a rip-roaring good time.

     “We've become really close over the last year, both personally and athletically,” says Kiramey Gilleese.  “We're currently trying to get a dance gig at a pirate-themed restaurant so we can raise money for the Oireachtas trip.”

     “In my family, I am the only girl with three brothers. Being on this team makes me feel like I'm dancing alongside seven sisters. I love it,” Hillary says.

     The next time you attend a Western Region feis, track down the Crawford School of Irish Dance’s adult team.  They are well aware of the hard work and challenges that come to adult Irish dancers, but the benefits and joy that they gain are evident in their dedication, their words, and, of course, their dancing.

     As Kiramey put it, “As long as you want to and you have a passion for (something), it's never too late try something you've always wanted to do.” 

Renewed Commitment

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Feis America Magazine.

My husband and I drove to a feis late one night with a van full of small children. We made it to Boise, Idaho in time to tuck each child into their motel bed. The next morning, despite the early hour, we made it to the Boise by the River Feis on time.

As we searched for the registration table, I felt the familiar competition nerves begin to flutter. To add to my nervousness was the novelty of having my nine year-old son compete in his first feis.

 We settled the kids on the bleachers with a backpack full of distractions, and enjoyed watching our son compete.

With only two hours to go before my own competitions, we opted to stick around the feis arena, grabbing a strength-zapping hot dog for lunch. The two hours came and went, and we realized that the feis was running far behind schedule.

As the wait dragged on, I began to wonder if I should be at the competition at all. An uncomfortable feeling of doubt crept into my consciousness, resulting in an unsettling case of anxiety.

After warming up for too long, we adults began competing. Halfway through my single jig, I landed a leap wrong and twisted my calf muscle, taking me out of competition. I sat out the rest of the dances, tears swimming in my eyes, wondering what in the world made me think that I, an over thirty, mother of five, beginner, could compete in Irish dance?

My body is too old, I thought, do I honestly think I can dance with a body that has taken the abuse of time and motherhood? It was the first time I had honestly doubted that, if I had the will to aim high and the determination to work for it, I could accomplish any dream.

 I looked over to where my family lay sprawled across two rows of bleachers. The baby had succumbed to a nap in my husband’s tired arms and the four other small children were roaming the stairs amid scattered crayons and snacks.

What gives me the right to submit my family to this torture? I wondered. My mishap bred negativity and soon I was questioning the wisdom of pursuing Irish dance at a time in my life when I could be content to watch it from a distance.

I had worked so hard on my dances, traveled hours to attend the feis, and paid money to compete in the dances that were passing me by. I do not know which pain I felt more keenly; the injury to my leg, or the torture of sitting on the sidelines, watching my adult friends compete without me. Self-pity threatened to block out any positive that could come from this experience.

As my three year-old daughter “helped” me rub ice on my leg, I wondered if my husband would echo the feelings of doubt and trepidation that haunted me. After all, he had just spent ten hours wrangling kids, footed the bill for dances I did not complete in, and watched helplessly as I sustained an injury.

When I voiced my concerns, his response gave me hope.

“You can’t let this get you down,” he encouraged, “you’ve got another feis in a few weeks.”

How I needed that support. Self-pity vanished and I began to form a plan of attack. I can do this, I determined, pushing the uncertainty and fear behind me. I can follow my dreams of dance regardless of my age, or the number of children I have at home.

I limped over to the results table and did my best to help corral my small children while we waited for the placings to be posted. To my surprise, I placed in every dance that I had been able to compete in. A few of the ladies whom I had competed with came over to check on my leg. Although it still hurt to put pressure on my leg, my spirits were lifted and I looked around the arena with a renewed commitment to pursuing my love of Irish dance.

The injury to my leg was minor; I am already back on my feet again. The real victory came from my triumph over self doubt.

I’ve since come to the conclusion that if the pursuit of something brings you joy, embrace and pursue it with all of your heart. You will spark a change in yourself, and ignite transformation in the lives of those who are touched by your light.