Jo McDonald is the founder and owner of Move Through Life Dance Studio. She teaches ballet, contemporary and jazz for the studio. Sometimes, she writes for Dance Informa, Australia's online dance magazine.
What is contemporary dance? Hear how 5 of our contemporary dancers describe it Have you ever heard of ‘the curse of knowledge’? It means that sometimes when you know a lot about something, you might not be very good at explaining it to someone who doesn’t know much about it. This is because you use…
Healthy spine exercises in contemporary dance Example of a modern dance contraction – image from 'Beginning Modern Dance' by Miriam Giguere Do you feel like your back is stiffening up as each year passes? Is it getting harder to do simple things like put your socks on while standing up, or bending down to pick…
Modern dance pioneersThe origins of today’s contemporary dance techniques Contemporary dance is an umbrella term that covers a range of different techniques and styles. Examples include ‘release technique’, ‘Graham technique’, ‘Cunningham technique’, ‘Limon technique’, ‘Horton technique’, and more. While these techniques have some differences, they share a common ancestry. To understand ‘contemporary dance’, it’s helpful…
How Ann established a regular exercise routine without going to the gym Ann Lewis (front) with Elissa Sara, Helen Collopy, and Victoria Morgan Like so many women in their 50s, Ann Lewis knew she needed to exercise, but going to the gym didn’t appeal. And while she’d go for a walk every now and then,…
5 myths about ballet classes for adults I’m sure you know there are a lot of little girls out there who dream about being a ballerina. But did you know that there are lots of women who secretly harbour the same fantasy? Perhaps you are one of them. But in our culture, there is an…
My 8 favourite things about contemporary dance Many people have some idea of what’s involved in ballet, jazz, or tap dance. But not so many know what contemporary dance is. It’s not surprising, since ‘contemporary’ is about something of the current time. This implies that contemporary dance is always changing. And it is true. Because…
Introducing Nutritionist/Dietitian Francisca Pereira We are proud to introduce a new heath and wellbeing partner for Move Through Life Dance Studio. Nutritionist/dietitian Francisca Pereira will be sharing her expertise with Move Through Life dancers through various blog articles. If you have a question about nutrition, feel free to send it through to info@movethroughlife.com.au. Hi Move…
”Do If you suffer from foot or heel pain that interferes with your, then this article is a must read! As a dance student, you enjoy many physical health benefits, including greater mobility, coordination, strength, and flexibility, which delay the aches and pains of ageing. But you may also be open to chronic injuries that…
Ballet class: the ultimate body & brain workout Ballet class: the ultimate body & brain workout < Learn the basics of ballet with our FREE mini course – click to signup > You probably already know that ballet is great for your body, but did you know it’s also an incredible brain workout. By this…