My lesson journal: May 2019

It's now mid-May and only a month until the practice lollipop competition at my club. We have just begun practising with the new competition music and although it's only a few beats per minute faster, fluency in routines is needed to keep up with the upbeat music.

Marching - revised marching and pointing feet with turnout

Warm-up - complete
Level of confidence - 😃 I know all the moves and transitions, but will need to add some personality and flair into the performance.

Floordrill - need to figure out a worthy 'get up'
Level of confidence - 😮 Probably know 3/4 of the moves, the transition moves are the ones I need most work on.

Swing - complete
Level of confidence - 😃 My favourite routine this year is swing. I cannot solidly perform the second/opposite side yet.

Exercises - complete (the first one finished)
Level of confidence - 😊 Confident. I like this one, but I liked last year's song better.

Advanced - the whole routine (vaguely)
Level of confidence - 😩 In alignment with past 'advanced' routines, the use of word painting is prevalent. There are also a few transferences of weight which can be off-putting when not yet mastered.

I can't wait for the new 2019 syllabus DVD which was recorded last weekend to be released so I can revise with confidence at home.

New Lycra!

I've been wearing my 2016 leotard to all physie occasions since I've started except for my first practice competition where F generously lent me her leotard and tights. Routinely, for the past three years I have entered the lollipop (practice) competition, two interclubs, club competition and zones. All together that's been 14 competitions which I have worn my trusty, shiny, bright, Eden style leotard. Thinking about it retrospectively, each competition (in addition any entry fees) actually had the added cost of attire. The leotard cost $87.50 and fishnets $45.00, that's nearly $10 for attire at each of my 14 competitions. A lot of physie clubs advertise its affordability compared to other dance styles which is true, however, if you're collecting different colours and styles then costs may add up. 

Leotard try-ons were last week and I'd managed to try all five leotard styles. Three years ago I would have been hesitant with a plastic clasp. However, three out of five styles this year had clasps. I tried on a few coloured bodystockings to gauge which colours were suitable. Despite trying on all the leotards, I ordered the style and colour which I had envisioned even before going to try-on day. I am looking forward to receiving my new lycra leotard soon. Secretly I hope that I go to nationals so that I can wear my leotard a sixth time this year. I guess I will schedule my next leotard for 2022!

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