Countdown to competition season

Physie-goers all around the country are now gearing up for competition season. Towards the end of July until September, there are competitions to prepare girls and ladies for the zone championships, these include interclubs and club competitions. Interclubs as the name suggests are between clubs and dancers may only enter into two (BjP association, others might differ). Club competitions are intra-club and give an opportunity for the club community to see each other dance.

Here are just a few things that I have learnt:

• Impulse - one of the hardest manoeuvres to execute gracefully. The movement has to be fluid and it works the abdominal muscles. This move has been included in the 'floordrill' and 'advanced' routines. 
• Toe rises require a lot of balance and should be practised with a chair/barre.
• I have learnt that in marching, the thumb should be slightly bent to ensure that it doesn't create a gap with the rest of the fingers.
• All positions should be done in front of a mirror so that you know that it creates the desired lines and illusions. Sometimes you think that you are making a straight line when in fact it does not appear that way.

Attire

• My made-to-order leotard has not arrived yet, it'll turn up later this month. 
• A club jacket (optional) makes sure that make-up does not transfer onto your leotard, keeps you covered up, provides warmth and certainly a sense of belonging. 
• The BjP ladies' championships are not done on a lit stage but rather a sports centre. This means that you needn't go ridiculous with make-up. Remember, BjP also bans certain make-up products for juniors but there are no restrictions for seniors and ladies. 
• Tan, well I'll see about this one. Physie in this era has banned the tan for juniors and is optional for seniors and ladies. Dancers all have their individual complexion and BjP promotes positive body-image. 

I've saved the most important point last and that is to take care of your health.

• Have a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet which will provide your body with physie fuel. 
• Stay hydrated! Always have a drink bottle at every workout and avoid fizzy drinks for physie.