If you saw “Black Swan” when it first hit theaters, caught a recent showing at The Varsity or popped it into your DVD player last week, you probably noticed how teeny Oscar-winner Natalie Portman and supporting actress Mila Kunis were in the film. That’s because they spent up to 30 hours each week for an entire year rehearsing with professional ballerinas, which means they burned tons of calories and trimmed lots of inches off their already small frames.
While we here at HC UNC definitely do not advise you to go to such extreme measures to look like these leading ladies (Portman once told Entertainment Weekly that there were some nights during filming when she thought she might die), the movie is yet another example of the amazing things that dance can do for your body — as long as you’re doing it in a healthy way, of course!
Dance, no matter the style, can work to lengthen and tone your muscles, build your stamina and shed a few pounds. And although it can be exhausting — just ask any dancer you know — it can also be a whole lot of fun!
Luckily, UNC and the surrounding area is a hotspot of great dance opportunities. Whether you’re a beginner who’s looking for an introductory class to take or an experienced dancer who’s searching for a way to incorporate dance and aerobics, here are ways you can get involved in dance around campus.
Classes
Although UNC kicked its dance-specific program years ago, students can still take several dance classes (all one credit each) throughout the year. Classes are offered each semester for beginning, intermediate and advanced dancers. The best thing? Since attendance is required, you’ll get a great workout on days you have class, which means you won’t have to find time outside your busy school schedule to squeeze in a workout! Try to register for one of these classes next fall: PHYA 220 (Beginning Jazz Dance), PHYA 224 (Beginning Modern Dance), PHYA 231 (Beginning Social Dance), PHYA 308 (Intermediate Ballet), PHYA 320 (Intermediate Jazz Dance), PHYA 324 (Intermediate Modern Dance) or PHYA 408 (Advanced Ballet).
Organizations
One great thing about going to UNC is the opportunity to get involved with the multitude of organizations on campus. When it comes to dance organizations, you can take your pick from a very long list. Whether you want to take ballet or jazz, hip hop or step, Garba or break dancing, there’s an organization that fits your needs. While most dance organizations don’t allow dancers to sign up or try out until next fall (look out for information at Fall Fest), you can check out a few upcoming dance performances while you’re waiting — Blank Canvas is performing this Sunday, Modernextension has shows on April 20 and 21and Kamikaze will be showing off their skills on April 27. Check out http://sites.google.com/site/carolinadanceinitiative/calendar for a calendar of upcoming performances.
Campus Rec Fitness Classes
If you’ve ever spent an hour in Zumba class or toned your body at Ballet Sculpt, you know just how challenging — and rewarding — dance-based fitness classes can be. So if you’re not looking to take a class for credit or join a dance organization, fitness classes at the SRC and Ram’s Head can be a great way to incorporate dance into your workout. Check out the following classes (schedules can be found here) you can participate in throughout the week:
- Cardio Funk & Pump: This high-energy exercise combines hip hop music and dance moves with strength training. You’ll get a great cardio workout while strengthening muscles and having an awesome time.
- Zumba: This class fuses Latin and hip hop music and dance moves to give your body an all-over workout.
- Ballet Sculpt: Get the body of a ballerina while strengthening and toning muscles as you do ballet exercises.
- Belly Dance: Strengthen your core with this moderate-intensity class that teaches basic isolations, as well as beginning vocabulary and introductory choreography.
Now that you know all of the opportunities that await you, get to dancing — your body will thank you!
Photos:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.metroactive.com/movies/images/12.08.10/Black-Swan.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.metroactive.com/movies/black-swan.html&usg=__0xBEnQXkuCjcTUiCl-LvNLzf4KI=&h=256&w=300&sz=36&hl=en&start=0&sig2=fmV6hAwrWr1wAXDeAxu4RA&zoom=1&tbnid=o9N2N-xC3QPlpM:&tbnh=155&tbnw=189&ei=wgOfTc_cEsHLgQePo-DWDw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnatalie%2Bportman%2Bskinny%2Bblack%2Bswan%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1089%26bih%3D615%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=511&oei=nAOfTfn_OaKX0QH64aCHBQ&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&tx=99&ty=61
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unccampusrec/5258700812/in/set-72157625466281573/
Sources:
http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Ballet-Exercise-Natalie-Portman-s-Black-Swan-Workout
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/12/29/this-weeks-cover-the-oscar-race-is-on/
http://uncstudentorgs.collegiatelink.net/organizations
http://campusrec.unc.edu/group-fitness-classes