{"id":49768,"date":"2020-04-20T10:01:04","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T10:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/?p=49768"},"modified":"2026-04-16T11:33:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:33:45","slug":"ballet-keeping-in-shape-in-the-time-of-lockdown-volume-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/ballet-keeping-in-shape-in-the-time-of-lockdown-volume-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Ballet: keeping in shape in the time of lockdown \u2013 Volume 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eighteen stars of dance today open up and explain to Dance for You how they are living in this emergency time and what they are doing to train and maintain both their physiques and their minds. Optimism, discipline, good food, hobbies, family time, meditation, inventiveness: following on from Volume 1, here the other nine reveal their secret recipes to Alessandro Bizzotto<\/em><\/p>\n

As the lockdown continues in a depressing number of countries, I\u2019ve been keeping in touch with the Principals of several ballet companies who have been trying both to remain positive and serene and also to find their own ways to stay in shape, looking forward to the day when theatres will all come to life again.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Viktoria Tereshkina \u00a9 Natasha Razina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Principal of the Mariinsky Ballet Viktoria Tereshkina<\/strong> focuses mostly on keeping her muscles toned. \u00abI am working out at home using a gym mat<\/em>\u00bb she tells me, \u00abas I want to keep my body fit. The Mariinsky Theatre is closed as every fitness club here in Saint Petersburg too, and without any training or rehearsals\u2026 well, your body can get out of shape relatively quickly<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abDepriving a performer of a stage is like clipping a bird’s wings!<\/em>\u00bb she exclaims. \u00abI felt somehow\u2026 broken at the outset. I dreadfully miss going on stage. But\u2026 let\u2019s not panic! It is a temporary situation. After all, every dancer can experience a situation that forces him or her to stop. An injury can lead to several months off. A maternity leave makes a ballerina miss a whole year. It all forces every artist to rethink certain things\u2026 I guess it is happening today as well, somehow<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abI gave my body a kind of holiday foodwise, at the very beginning of the quarantine<\/em>\u00bb Viktoria explains to me, \u00abI ate absolutely anything I wanted to eat, knowing I\u2019d add two or three extra kilos. Now I have set limitations again: I want to try a kind of time-restricted fasting known as the 8:16 ratio \u2013 you can eat what you want and when you want for eight hours, and then during the remaining sixteen hours you have nothing but water. We’ll see what comes of that<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

What does she hope for the future? \u00abMankind has a chance to take heed now \u2013 a good shake-up<\/em>\u00bb she answers, \u00abas this virus is changing people’s plans all over the world. No country excluded.<\/em> Man has been destroying and ravaging the planet<\/em> for centuries, but <\/em>only now have we started to pay attention to green issues and to sustainability. It will all come to pass eventually: we all will be back to appreciate those simplest things that we didn\u2019t use to consider at all. And I wish a new social responsibility will come out of this tragedy. The COVID-19 will change us all, and I think for the better<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Adhonay Soares da Silva \u00a9 Roman Novitzky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00abI keep warming up and doing the barre work every day<\/em>\u00bb Principal of the Stuttgart Ballet Adhonay Soares da Silva <\/strong>tells me, \u00aband I keep moving as much as I can while staying at home<\/em>\u00bb. His voice on the phone sounds as calm as always. \u00abI think it is really important not to leave home at all. You know, we had some coronavirus cases here at the Stuttgart Ballet\u2026 a friend of mine is positive as well. I am luckily ok, but I think that staying on my own now is a sign of public responsibility<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abYes, I am posting videos of my classes on Instagram too\u2026 as are many other dancers<\/em>\u00bb he tells me, \u00aband, here at the Stuttgart Ballet, we are lucky as we are often connecting with each other via Internet, videoconferencing and doing the barre all together. Then I often do some workout, abs\u2026 it is a way to keep fit and to use my free time without wasting it. And you know what? A friend of mine posted some nice video of herself doing and teaching yoga \u2013 yoga helps me both stretching and feeling mentally healthy. Day after day, I realize how important taking care of my brain is too<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Does Adhonay miss social interaction? \u00abI do, but I try my best not to think about it<\/em>\u00bb. How? \u00abLong Skype calls with my friends help! And I have much more time to clean and tidy up my place<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

He is Brazilian, his family lives in Goi\u00e2nia. \u00abYes, my mom is worried for me<\/em>\u00bb he answers, \u00abmy family stays at home as I am doing here, they are in our same situation. They don\u2019t like the idea I\u2019m here on my own but\u2026 I keep telling them I am fine, I have friends who can help me and I have everything under control<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abI can tell you I am super careful as far as food is concerned now<\/em>\u00bb he adds. \u00abI eat more vegetables, I drink a lot of tea and ginger tea. My daily routine is not the same anymore, I want to give my body what it needs to deal with it<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

People keep repeating everything is going to be ok, does he agree? \u00abWell I hope so! Though I feel so sad hearing of people losing their dear ones all around the world. We need to take it seriously, even those people I keep seeing from my window, walking and jogging outside<\/em>\u00bb. Has Adhonay got a kind of recipe to leave everything behind? \u00abStay home, keep thinking positive\u2026 and watch some recordings of ballets that the Stuttgart Ballet is making available online<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Olga Esina \u00a9 Ashley Taylor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00abCertainly we have no class nor rehearsal Vienna State Opera<\/em>\u00bb Principal of the Vienna State Ballet Olga Esina<\/strong> tells me, \u00abwe cannot even enter the House and some colleagues of mine, who left some ballet clothes or other stuff in their dressing rooms, can\u2019t go and get them. Lucky I brought home nearly everything<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

While talking on the phone one morning during these lockdown weeks, she informs me that she keeps on training yet she misses the stage, \u00aband I mean I miss the space, not just performing in front of our audience: I miss the feeling of being allowed to do large and clear movements. You cannot dance that way when you are at home, though our company provided every dancer with a piece of linoleum\u2026 the wooden floor would be too slippery<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

And fortunately, she’s got an extra ace up her sleeve. \u00abMy husband and I have a ballet school in Vienna<\/em>\u00bb she says, \u00abit is located a five minute walk from our home, so I can go there, open the school just for myself and rehearse on my own \u2013 I take my own personal class there, I can do both the barre and the centre. I even give online classes twice a week: a class for professionals and a class for beginners or young ballet students. It gives me further motivation<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abA<\/em> physiotherapist of the Vienna State Ballet gives us pilates classes via videoconference<\/em>\u00bb Olga adds, \u00abwhich is an additional way to try and keep fit and healthy\u2026 besides spending my days with my 3-year-old daughter! She is always on the move \u2013 I can hardly sit down. You know, the weather starts being really nice here in Vienna, so staying at home and making time pass for my daughter is even more difficult! But that\u2019s what we have to do, and we must take it seriously<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

She cooks a lot these days, \u00abeven more than before\u2026 if you came to my house, you would think I am about to have ten people here for dinner! Even though sometimes I even forget to eat \u2013 when I am not taking class I am playing with my daughter, so sometimes I find out it is almost dinner time and I have had no lunch<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

She is slightly afraid of what the future holds for the ballet universe, but she remains confident. \u00abEconomically, I do hope the coronavirus situation won\u2019t have huge consequences and implications \u2013 I wish a fast recovery not just for the theatres, but for culture in general as well. Culture will never die, I am sure, but it will take time for it to bounce back<\/em>. So many people have lost their jobs in a few weeks\u2026 I wonder if and when many of them will be able to get back to an Opera House to enjoy a performance or a concert, and it saddens me<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

In spite of everything, she thinks we must keep looking forward. \u00abI have a deep feeling that now more than ever we should help each other<\/em>\u00bb. Before saying farewell, Olga reflects; \u00abnow it is important to stay home as it is a way to help doctors and nurses, and in the future it will be important to stay united and not to be selfish<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Yasuomi Akimoto \u00a9 Mizuho Hasegawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Tokyo Ballet kept having classes and rehearsals till the first week of April. \u00abNow I do the barre at home<\/em>\u00bb Principal of the Tokyo Ballet Yasuomi Akimoto<\/strong> explains me, \u00abas well as core training exercises, some bodyweight training and, of course, stretching. You know, I can\u2019t go to the gym anymore<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abI often do mental rehearsal too in these days<\/em>\u00bb he adds. \u00abBesides watching videos of ballets as I normally use to do, I slightly move my body and carefully listen to the music, as if I had to learn the steps for a performance. In my eyes it is essential: in order to give a clear performance of the character, you have to deeply understand and to interiorize the ballet, being mentally prepared. In addition, I am taking my time to watch movies and relax \u2013 I like to spend my time slowly<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

He keeps eating as he used to do before the lockdown, \u00abwhich means I eat a lot of rice, as I love it! I do not take protein supplements: I get nutrients from food<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

What Yasuomi hopes now is that future will bring serenity back. \u00abI simply hope that, after the COVID-19, everyone will be able to go to the theatre without fear<\/em>\u00bb he says. \u00abBallet has no words. It can be understood by anyone, all over the world. Everyone can enjoy it; it will always be like that. I hope we\u2019ll definitely be back on stage soon<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
C\u00e9line Gittens \u00a9 Ty Singleton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even at home, \u00abit is essential to keep our usual dance routine<\/em>\u00bb. Here is what Principal of the Birmingham Royal Ballet C\u00e9line Gittens<\/strong> thinks. \u00abThe majority of dancers at Birmingham Royal Ballet have been dancing since a very young age, and to suddenly break this routine would be a great shock to the body. My advice is to keep on dancing!<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

So, she has tried to create a schedule. \u00abIt includes ballet class, pointe strengthening, and a combination of pilates and stretching exercises<\/em>\u00bb she explains to me. \u00abI therefore do my ballet class three times a week. This includes barre, adage, and tendu in the centre. I have limited my allegro exercises since the impact of jumping can be too great for our joints without the presence of a sprung dance floor<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

What about those days spent without taking the class? \u00abOn the alternate days I practise my pilates programme, which was created by the Birmingham Royal Ballet\u2019s strength and conditioning team, whilst including high intensity exercises like skipping rope drills and finishing with a cool down stretch. Sunday is my rest day<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

C\u00e9line tells me her diet is full of fresh fruit and vegetables. \u00abThey will support our immune system and give us long lasting energy<\/em>\u00bb. Yet, as far as food is concerned, she goes beyond that. \u00abNow is the time to get inspired by those cookbooks that line your kitchen shelf and to experiment with new recipes that bring out the flavours of your ingredients. I have recently been drawn back to <\/em>Caribbean Food Made Easy with Levi Roots. This cookbook brings tasty dishes from the Caribbean to your kitchen with the use of specific herbs and spices, which make up the \u201csunshine kit\u201d<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Love from her audience helps her to be resolute and to move on. \u00abIn March we ended with some incredible and unforgettable performances of Sir Peter Wright\u2019s<\/em> Swan Lake. The audience numbers and audience reaction was probably the best that I have experienced since I started performing<\/em> Swan Lake with the company in 2008. Many audience members were so moved by performances that they bought additional tickets for the remainder of our<\/em> Swan Lake tour around England<\/em>\u00bb, she says. \u00abI think that this audience support will continue to strengthen as nothing can replace the feeling of witnessing a live performance. The arts is such an important part of our communities as it promotes creativity, which boosts our personalities and gives us a sense of escapism. It sparks conversation, causes us to dream and can even give us hope. Art provides us a space for reimagining collective and individual existence<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Artur Shesterikov \u00a9 Lupe Jelena<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Principal of the Dutch National Ballet Artur Shesterikov<\/strong> tells me he tries to take his time when doing the barre at home. \u00abIt is a chance to work unhurried on my body<\/em>\u00bb he explains, \u00abso every day I take one hour at least to take class \u2013 I start with some floor barre, then I do the barre focusing on tendus, and a little bit of centre. You know, I have a barre in my living room now<\/em>\u2026\u00bb.<\/p>\n

He works on keeping his muscles strong too. \u00abI try and jump every day, even though I can execute only small jumps. After that, I do some weight training or exercises using the weight of the body. In addition, I take my time to do some specific exercises my physio recommended me to do as I had some issues with my upper back recently. It\u2019s nothing serious, but I want to use these weeks off to take care of that too. A diet? I simply eat less as I need less energy, but I am not that worried as far as gaining weight is concerned! I never had weight<\/em> issues<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

His son needs attention as well. \u00abHe keeps me busy too!<\/em>\u00bb he adds during our phone call, just before dinner time. \u00abHe often wants mom or dad to play with him, and I love spending quality time with him now<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Artur does not go too far when it comes to the next season of the Dutch National Ballet. \u00abOur company has the support of the Dutch government<\/em>\u00bb he says, \u00abso I don\u2019t think any productions will be cancelled. Maybe the bill we were supposed to bring on stage this month will replace the one that is supposed to open our next season. Yet everything is still a little uncertain \u2013 it will also depend on how long the coronavirus emergency will last. We have no certain news, so far. I can tell you, I hope that next season will stay as planned, though changes are always possible: maybe something will change, but I wish there will be no cancellation<\/em>\u00bb. Any role he wishes not to miss? \u00abThere is a couple of roles I\u2019d love to dance again. I\u2019ll tell you later on but don\u2019t write them\u2026 for luck<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Eleonora Abbagnato \u00a9ONP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00abI try and do physical activities with my family, both pilates and stretching exercises<\/em>\u00bb Principal of the Paris Opera Ballet Eleonora Abbagnato<\/strong>, who directs the Rome Opera Ballet too, lets me know via a written note. \u00abI also give ballet classes via Facebook and Instagram to all those who want to follow me<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

She favours a Mediterranean diet as \u00aba healthy diet is essential for a mental and physical balance, and this all the more, in such difficult circumstances<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abIn addition, I try to maintain a positive outlook towards the life we are forced to live now, though it is everything but easy due to the lockdown<\/em>\u00bb she says. \u00abI guess this attitude combined with sunlight helps our immune system too<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

In spite of everything, Eleonora tries with all her strength to stay confident and hopeful. \u00abI do hope it all will be over very soon<\/em>\u00bb she concludes, \u00aband I think particularly to those who live from their labour and therefore cannot afford to be without pay<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abIf we\u2019ll be disciplined and treasure what this experience is teaching us, I am sure our future will be better<\/em>\u00bb is her message.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Dinu Tamazlacaru \u00a9 Verona per l’Arena<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Principal of the Berlin State Ballet Dinu Tamazlacaru<\/strong>\u2019s voice is as loud and cheerful as usual yet, while talking on the phone, I can perceive there is a shadow of prudence and tact in his words. \u00abIt is not a smooth situation<\/em>\u00bb he tells me, \u00abBerlin is not completely locked down, yet I try to stay home as much as possible. We are so fortunate as the Berlin State Ballet provided us dancers with some facilities<\/em>\u00bb. Which ones? \u00abFirst of all, a piece of linoleum. A teacher of the company gives class every day via Zoom. In addition, our health department sent us some cardio training programmes to help us keeping somehow fit \u2013 we can choose among several options every day. I know it won\u2019t be enough to keep my best shape till the end of the emergency, but it will definitely help<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

As many dancers, he tries not to break his routine. \u00abI wake up at the very same time every morning, I have my usual breakfast and I warm up before the class. To my mind, the worst thing in this moment is, not to know how long this horrible situation will last: so, I decided not to change my morning routine, even though I cannot go to the theatre. It is a way to keep training my brain as well<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Dinu\u00a0kind of has a\u00a0green thumb too, and it helps him to loosen up. \u00abI keep some plants on my terrace<\/em>\u00bb he reveals me, \u00abthe colours of their flowers are a kind of balm for my eyes \u2013 taking care of something alive boosts my brain<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Keeping healthy and not just fit is a priority. \u00abWhenever I cook, I think about how to strengthen my immune system<\/em>\u00bb he explains. \u00abI have plenty of time to cook and every day I choose fresh foods that can support my physique. A good laugh is excellent for the immune system too\u2026 here\u2019s why I videoconference with close friends almost every day<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abInstead of watching TV, I rather do something useful<\/em>\u00bb Dinu adds, \u00aband I am taking advantage of these weeks to concentrate on what I love to do\u2026 from the beginning to the end. I turn my phone off and I spend hours focusing on what I am doing, breathing and letting anything else go. However, I can tell you that I enjoy watching documentaries before going to bed!<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Amy Harris \u00a9 Bloch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Principal of the Australian Ballet Amy Harris<\/strong> is spending her lockdown in the countryside. \u00abI have been very fortunate to return home with my family to my mum\u2019s house in the country<\/em>\u00bb she reveals. \u00abMy sister has a dance school here in Ararat, Victoria and, while it is unfortunate that she has had to put classes for her students on hold, my husband Jarryd Madden, who is a Senior artist with the Australian Ballet, and I have been lucky to have a studio to be able to take a full ballet class each morning<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Her working day starts at 11:00 am. \u00abEach day my Australian Ballet family do an online ballet class. The whole company logs on at 11:00 am and takes class. We also have some essentials with us like therabands, exercise balls, yoga mats, small weights\u2026 to do a warm up and pilates-gym exercises before we start class<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

Amy is a mother, and in her eyes her daugther and her son are a priority. \u00abI have a young family \u2013 Willow, 5 and Phoenix, 10 months. So, Jarryd and I really make sure that we are giving them all they need to grow and live a healthy lifestyle<\/em>\u00bb she says. \u00abFurthermore, I have always been someone that eats a well-balanced diet. I love my chocolate but I also love fuelling my body with good nutritious food too. I\u2019m a little bit of a creature of habit and love having the same thing, especially while performing. I find something that works and I tend to stick with it<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

In order to keep strong throughout this\u00a0time, she works to conserve \u00abmy mental health. To stay strong in my mind and know that there are many of us around the world in the same position within the arts. It\u2019s tough<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

\u00abI have just returned from my second baby<\/em>\u00bb she explains, \u00aband only got to perform three shows before sadly our season was postponed. Our first week working remotely I struggled. I started to get to far ahead of myself and found myself stressing over things I had no control of. Luckily I have my husband and family right here with me and also the wonderful team at work who check in with us daily<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n

While thinking about the future, she seems to throw\u00a0her heart beyond the present obstacles: and this is why I\u2019ve chosen to conclude these two volumes with Amy\u2019s words of hope. \u00abI hope that the arts return bigger and better than before. That we receive more support and appreciation. And that our long-time lovers, patrons, supporters, fans and audience members all know how much we missed them and are happy to be back and we hope they are too<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eighteen stars of dance today open up and explain to Dance for You how they are living in this emergency time and what they are doing to train and maintain both their physiques and their minds. Optimism, discipline, good food, hobbies, family time, meditation, inventiveness: following on from Volume 1, here the other nine reveal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":49769,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-performance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49768"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49974,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49768\/revisions\/49974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danceforyou-magazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}