Why do physie as an adult?

Fitness

Music and choreography

Disciplines us (for me it has motivated me to stretch regularly)

We can wear whatever

Choose to compete or do it for the fun and fitness

Great role modelling for our children

Getting involved with something with our daughters

Flexibility and mobility (improving or maintaining it as we get older is important)

Meet new like-minded people

Pick up where you left off (if you're an ex physie girl)

All ages and experiences, size and shapes are welcome

Gives us 'me' time

My lesson journal: February 2019

I am back to physie for my fourth year which means I've progressed into the intermediate category. On arrival at my first lesson I learnt that over 40 registered ladies were attending my club this year. This is an incredible enrolment and a testament to the passion and effort from my teacher, clubmates and volunteers to build this wonderful club.

Lesson 1:

Warming up our bodies and brains included walking, lunging and marching in a (very) large circle. Then we learnt the travelling step in the warm-up routine. We start with learning a travelling step every year because travelling steps are always included in warm-up. Five lines gathered at the back of the hall and we learnt the step firstly with our feet, then added our arms. We also learnt the first few steps of 'exercises' and soon after class was over.

Lesson 2: 

We started with a circuit warm-up. Nine stations were set up including toe rises, lunges, wall push-ups and hip bridges. Then we all stood at a marker on the floor to revise and learn new moves for warm-up. Afterwards, we learnt the first couple of counts for swing. I'm guessing it won't be long before my teacher introduces bean bags for us to feel the weightiness in our arms (I hope that we have enough, we're the largest class now). A few more positions were discovered for exercises and then we revised all three routines at the end of class.

P.S. New format this year! All blog posts will be quick reads limited to 250 words so that you can get on with life and practising more physie :) 

2019! Back to physie challenge - Day 5

Today's the final day of the back to physie challenge and I encourage you to organise, sort and label your physie paraphernalia from previous years.

Organise - Keep all your items together in a display folder or special box/hanger/sash for medals.
Sort - Arrange items based on date in reverse chronological order or sort them into categories such as interclubs, zones, nationals. Keep the program booklets together its competition number and certificate.
Label - On the back of your medals and competition numbers write the date and event so that you can remember where you earnt your medals. Read labelling physie keepsakes for more tips.

2019! Back to physie challenge - Day 4

Follow Phoebe Collins, former Grand Champion, in her article about stretching and achieving the splits. While the splits is a staple in junior and senior floordrill routines each year, ladies do not need to perform the splits.
Find the article here.


Answers for day 2 challenge - naming physie positions:
1. Attention
2. Top stand
3. Yard
4. Oblique
5. Flight
6. Reach
7. Trunk forward bend
8. Lunge
9. Drag
10. Lateral bend

2019! Back to physie challenge - Day 3

Today's challenge is to march with the 2016 Ladies Grand Finalists.

Marching is the first impression that you present to judges. It demonstrates posture, pointed toes, turn out, musicality and shoulder flexibility. Marches for ladies are consistently around 100 beats per minute. 

Read "March into March" to see how I grasped the concept of marching in physie and turning corners.

2019! Back to physie challenge - Day 2

Today's challenge is to revise 10 basic positions of physie.

Execute the positions to the best of your ability with the clues given below. Answers of positions will be released on day 4 of the challenge. I recommend checking alignment and aesthetics in the mirror. Remember your physie smile. :)

Have a look at Physie 101's post for help and visual guidance.

1. Starts with the letter A, toes turned out, heels together, fingers down
2. Fingertips touching on the top of your head, elbows out
3. Starts with Y, arms sideways and parallel to floor
4. Arms form a V shape upwards, palms up
5. Palms down, fingertips level with head, straight arms outwards and slightly upwards
6. Arms stretching forwards, parallel to the floor, palms inwards
7. Three words, bending torso forwards and parallel to ground
8. Starts with L, front knee bent and both feet turned out
9. Works your shoulder flexibility, arms are pulled behind body diagonally downwards
10. Stretches your lateral muscles, usually done while hands are in 'adoration' or 'top stand

2019! Back to physie challenge - Day 1

I am ready to go back for a fresh, new season of physie in 2019.
In this seasonal series, I will be posting challenges every day for the next week to prepare and revise physie essentials.

Sara from Inspired Physiotherapy demonstrates quad exercises to allow physie girls/ladies to straighten their knees especially in floordrill. It's been a while (over three months) since I've consciously done physie so this is a great revision. 

BjP 125

It only happens once every 25 years !!! Congratulations to all the performers, zone leaders, volunteers, families, supporters, archivists and event staff. Even though I didn't go to the show, the photos of the event looked marvellous. My personal favourite was the lighting display during the finale when the characters "BJP 125" were made by the arrangement of torch lights. What a beautiful example of how each person's contribution is integral in making something amazing and worthwhile.


Here are some links to media coverage focusing on BjP's rich history and the event:

Physie marks 125 years | photos (Newcastle Herald)

Wow, some of these photographs are truly a blast from the past! 

Combined celebration for physie at 125 (Tenterfield Star)


Weekend Breakfast ABC News 24

1 month to go. Physie birthday celebrations!

The countdown clock has finally ticked down the last month before the BjP 125 Year Spectacular!

The Spectacular is a mass display telling the story of the Bjelke-Petersen School of Physical Culture's rich and evolving history. It can be likened to the Sydney 2000 Olympics display but this time instead of 800 performers there's 2000! Over 30 choreographers, and an army of behind-the-scenes helpers have created a 2 hour show capturing the talent and strength of physie performers. 

Girls and ladies from 16 zones across Australia are taking part in this great event (not to mention the families and supporters). They've dedicated their weekends to practices, learning new moves on top of their regular syllabus. Most zones have scheduled five compulsory rehearsals in the lead up to this event and the final dress rehearsal is the day before the performance.

However, getting 2000 girls from across Australia to Sydney for the Spectacular comes at a cost. To the teachers, parents and supporters who are volunteering their time and all the clubs helping to fund-raise to get their girls to Sydney, your efforts are truly appreciated. Thank you for giving the physie community a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While I am not participating, I have heard wonderful stories from my physie classmates and their daughters who are performing in this grand event. 

Catch all the action on Saturday June 24, 7:30pm at the Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney SuperDome). With a seating capacity of over 18000, it's not too late to get your tickets. Also, BjP (partnered with Cooper Teamwear) has a line of limited edition active-wear and merchandise for its 125th year birthday celebrations.