It's hard to imagine just a month or two ago, when we were taking ballet classes as usual, rehearsing for upcoming shows, and performing for packed audiences. Now, in the midst of a rapidly progressing global pandemic, we are living in a completely different reality. With an increase in strict recommendations for social distancing and self quarantining from health officials and the government, we, as humans, are being challenged to accept a new normal.
In the dance community, we are learning to navigate this surreal situation by finding new ways of exploring our craft and maintaining healthy bodies and minds at home. Throughout all of the negativity, dancers around the world are uniting online to inspire and support one another during what could otherwise be an extremely isolating time. Together, we are adapting and finding new ways of learning, growing, and dancing.
To help you find what you need, we have gathered together several free resources for you to help keep your mind and body in shape without leaving your house. From principal ballerinas and dance legends teaching live, online ballet classes in their living room to on-demand yoga classes which are being offered for free during this crisis, it's clear that people are coming together, virtually, to help each other in this time of mental and physical uncertainty. (Of course, donations to these organizations or teachers directly would be greatly appreciated; see their Instagram accounts for information on how to do so.)
Who: Dancewear Royale (featuring: National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet Principal Dancer, Jurgita Dronina; International Ballet Star and United Ballet Theatre Artistic Director, Joseph Gatti; Cincinnati Ballet Dancer and Certified Pilates Instructor, Jackie Amador)
What: This dancewear company has compiled an impressive list of professional dancers and instructors who will be teaching ballet, pilates, and other at home workouts specifically designed for dancers.
Where: @dancewearroyale via Instagram TV
When: New classes posted daily (until further notice)
Who: Debbie Allen
What: Free, live dance class with dance legend and choreographer, Debbie Allen
Where: @therealdebbieallen via Instagram Live
When: Wednesday, March 18 at 1:00 pm PST/4:00 pm EST
Who: CorePower Yoga
What: Free, on-demand hour long yoga classes with different focuses from Flows to Meditations
Where: Corepoweryogaondemand.com
When: New classes uploaded weekly (free until further notice)
Who: Patricia Zhou
What: Live ballet class with international ballet star and current L.A. Dance Project dancer, Patricia Zhou. Class includes full barre and a couple of center combinations.
Where: @patricia_zhou via Instagram Live
When: Daily at 10:00 am PST/1:00 pm EST (until further notice)
Patricia Zhou Ballet Class via Instagram Live
Who: Tiler Peck
What: Live ballet class taught by New York City Ballet Principal, Tiler Peck. Classes include full barre, center (tendus, adagio, pirouettes), and some pointe-work.
Where: @tilerpeck via Instagram Live
When: Daily at 10:00 am PST/1:00 pm EST (until further notice)
Who: Ashley Bouder
What: Live ballet class taught by New York City Ballet Principal, Ashley Bouder. Class features a small group of NYC based professional dancers taking class and includes barre and center work.
Where: @ashleybouder via Insagram Live or available live and on-demand via her Youtube channel
When: Daily until 3/20 at 8:00 am PST/11:00 am EST
Who: Common Conservatory; Chicago, IL
What: Live ballet barre with Artistic Director, Terrence Marling
Where: @common.conservatory via Instagram Live
When: Daily at 9:00 am PST/12:00 pm EST (through this week/ until further notice)
