This class is meant to be taken by all levels before individual level lessons are posted!

Instructions:
Please pay attention and ask questions or look something up if you don't understand it. The class can be done anytime within the time frame posted on the title (Jan. 5-11). When you finish the warm-up please post on this thread with any questions, how you feel you did, etc. I realize for some of you (int/adv) the warm-up may be a bit on the easier side, however this is only a large group warm-up so don't get your panties in a bunch. =)

Syllabus
Each student is required to complete the warm-up at least once per time frame, and to execute it to the fullest of their potential.

Students who consecutively do not post for 3 or more time frames will be removed from the class; students who do not post in 5 or more time frames will be dismissed from the lyrical department altogether for non-participation, unless a PM is sent to the head (KangarooPaw) making arrangements ahead of time, or a valid excuse is given via PM to KangarooPaw upon return. This is to help prevent members from popping in, signing up, and never coming back, taking up valuable space within VIS that other, more active members could be using.

Each student is to post on this thread, after taking the class, with any questions, thoughts, etc., but none that are derogatory to others, the actual class, or the instructor and their ability to effectively teach the class. Constructive criticism is always welcomed, but please keep in mind your skill level compared to the instructor's- I am quite sure that I have more than enough tools to help me teach effectively, as I have 18 years of ballet, jazz, and tap under me as well as 16 years of lyrical and contemporary. I do welcome ideas as well, but if you personally have an issue please take it up with me via PM.

Each student will start out with 100 points (yes, I decided to grade classes, as this is an online academy of dance, is it not?) and for each time they leave a legit post on the class thread, they will maintain the 100 average. For each time they fail to post and do not have a valid excuse and/or they fail to post and do not have a valid excuse within 3 days past the time frame, 3 points will be deducted from the 100. After losing points, every time they post within the time frame they will recieve 1.5 points.

We will discuss projects and performances as a group at the appropriate time.

/end syllabus


I know this is for fun, so obviously the grades don't mean anything in real life. I'm mostly doing it to practice grading- I'm an English major and going to be an English teacher, so any practice I can get with grading I'll take, haha.

Lyrical Warm Up

Song: "Storm (Acoustic)" by Lifehouse
(Download it if you don't have it, or look for it on YouTube. It should also be put on "repeat"- I find that using the same tempo throughout the entire warm up is more effective than having to change rhythms every 3 minutes. =)

Start counting at 0:03.

Key
"One count of 8" means one set of 8, as in 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.
"R" means Right.
"L" means Left.
Anything else you don't understand, please ask!

Out Center Stretch

Standing in parallel second, arms at the sides relaxed.

Roll down beginning with the head down through the spine until you are bent over with legs kept tight and feet kept parallel- use one count of 8 for roll.

Hold the position for another count of 8.

Move upper body towards the R leg, hold for one count of 8.

Move back to center, hold one count of 8.

Move upper body towards the L leg, hold one count of 8.

Roll back up through the spine, head coming up last, using one count of 8.

Tilt the head to the R (as if cocking your head to one side) for counts 1,2; continue leaning to the R side 3,4; hold 5,6; straighten back up 7,8

(Keep your butt tucked under, knees tight, and hips square to the front!)

Repeat to the L side.

Bring feet in starting by moving the heels in toward each other, then toes, heels, toes, etc. until your feet are parallel and touching. Use one count of 8 for this.

Roll through the spine back to bent over position, keeping knees tight, using one count of 8 to get to that position. Hold for another count of 8.

Rise to releve (sorry for no accents, I don't know how to type words with accents on the computer, grrr) and hold one count of 8.

Alternate each foot going flat & back into releve using 4 counts per foot each time. Repeat for 4 counts of 8. (each foot should go down and up 4 times total)

Bend knees- staying in forced arch/high releve for 1,2,3,4 and then holding the position for 5,6,7,8.

Straighten knees for 1,2,3,4 then roll up to standing position (maintaining forced arch/high releve) for 5,6,7,8.

Placing arms in ballet 2nd, demi-plie 1,2,3,4.

Go to grande plie raising arms to 5th for 5,6,7,8.

Go back to demi-plie for 1,2,3,4, bringing arms back to 2nd, and straighten up to standing (in releve still) for 5,6,7,8.

*Shake out muscles, relax for 30 seconds*

Sitting On the Floor

Legs are straight out in front of you, together and knees are tight. Back straight, chest lifted, chin up, arms in 2nd, feet pointed.

Stretch forward- head to the knees. Take deep breaths, keep knees straight, push yourself further down each time you breathe out. Hold for 3 counts of 8.

Roll up slowly back to starting position for one count of 8.

Move legs apart to a slight second position. Roll back down and repeat prior stretch for 3 counts of 8. Roll back up to starting position.

Open legs to full second (NOT a center split! Just open your legs to stretch, do not go into splits yet)

Stretch to the R side over R leg, keeping butt flat on the floor, knees turned out, feet pointed. Arms above your head in 5th. Hold for 2 counts of 8.

Repeat to L side, holding 2 counts of 8.

Repeat the stretch to R and L again, this time with flexed feet.

Stretch over the center for 2 counts of 8- arms extended out in front of you, knees do NOT roll forward-keep them turned out, flat back, head down. Feet pointed.

Move to R jazz split, stretching over the R leg, holding for 2 counts of 8. Arch backwards with hands on the floor, arms straight (supporting your own weight) hold for one count of 8.

Repeat to L side.

Sit in R full split, making sure knees are locked, feet are pointed and most importantly HIPS SQUARE TO THE FRONT. If your hips are not square, you are not doing a real split. Hold each R split and L split for 3 counts of 8.

Take 3 minutes to stretch your arms, back, and neck as you please (since everyone has different means of this, you may do it your own way)

End of Warm-Up

Pretty good workout KP!

That was a great warm-up, I printed it out and that was my stretching for the day. I'm looking forward to the classes.

Thanks.

Nice. =]]

Haha, the warm-up made me realize how out of shape I've gotten over Christmas Break.

And I love the song choice, by the way.

Thanks! I feel so stretched now! That felt so good.

Thanks. A bit short.

^It shouldn't be that short if you're counting it correctly.

I was so sore this week after starting classes up again; and this was a nice, relaxing warm-up. Thanks!

Great Warm-up!
That felt soooo good after sitting in a chair for most of the day .

Sorry for the late post,
TJ

ps-> I love that song