What Ballet “Tools” Do You Use?

By TurnedOutPointeOfView on Monday, November 18, 2019

Thank you for the question, @andreeaunicorn

I use four main tools everyday. An elastic theraband, a bouncy ball cut in half, warm boots, and my make shift ankle warmers.

Before I start ballet class in the morning I pull out my elastic theraband and I do at least 10 reps of pointing and flexing each foot. By adding the resistance, I’m waking up my muscles for the day.

Flexed Foot with Theraband.
Pointed Foot with Theraband.

The bouncy ball cut in half, was given to me from my great colleague, Jon Axel. This half ball I’ll step on throughout the entire barre releasing tightness in my feet.

Warm boots. Yup. Just to keep my feet warm. I live in them at the theater. I will wear them at the very beginning of class but only for maximum two combinations. I really don’t like the feeling of having anything extra on my feet when I’m dancing. But they are great to have on everywhere else. Especially as the days get colder! You’ll catch me in my boots throughout the day between rehearsals, at lunch, putting on my makeup, walking to a costume fitting or before a show. Basically anytime I’m not dancing.

I’m wearing my green pair of boots as I put on makeup for a Swan Lake show.
Backstage in full costume for Diamonds and my boots.

Lastly, my make shift ankle warmers. I really like my ankles to stay warm. I buy those really fluffy socks from Tiger and then cut the toe off and the heel away. I do this instead of using ballet legwarmers because 1- they are super cheap. About 15kr. 2- They hug my ankle nicely as they are made to be socks. You will always find me with ankle warmers on.

Having fun in the Gym after hours with my ankle warmers on.
Learning Giselle’s Mad Scene from Sorella Englund with of course, some ankle warmers on.

I will use a foam roller but I’m not religious about it. It’s more if I remember or if I’m killing time.

xoxo,
-Hol