With free onsite parking and a convenient 8-minutes from the Brisbane CBD, whether you’re a Brisbane local or visiting from interstate (or internationally) here are 4 reasons you should come and visit our Claudia Dean Showroom.
1. Feel, try on & shop our latest dancewear & activewear collections
Not sure what size you are or if a certain piece will suit you? One of the best (and certainly one of my favourite parts about our showroom) is that the latest collections are always on display so dancers and members of our community can come and touch and try on our latest dancewear and activewear pieces. Seeing our garments online is one thing, but getting to feel and experience the quality firsthand is so satisfying.
2. Meet Claudia and the Team
People are often surprised when they find out that I work in our showroom every single day (except of course the days I’m travelling for intensives). Our Showroom is honestly my happy place and I truly find that I’m the most creative here. I love that I get to share it everyday with our incredible team and our door is always open to meet dancers and members of our community (you might even get to meet one of the dogs too).
3. Get inspiration
I for one love exploring new places and find it honestly fills me with so much inspiration and motivation. Some of the places I personally love to check out are other dance schools & studios, shops and any other creative spaces in general like art galleries and museums. Before I even created our first CD showroom, I knew I wanted it to be a place where members of our community would feel welcome to visit anytime they wanted, so remember our door is always open (well at least Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30 and Sat 8-12)
4. Get a sneak peak at our studio space
Are you thinking of booking in for Private Coaching or signing up for one of our Claudia Dean Intensives? Our studio space is conveniently located out the back of our showroom and we’re always happy to give our community a little sneak peek at some of the magic that goes on in our studio.
So whether you’re visiting from out of town, looking for a fun school holiday activity or simply want to feel inspired, come and visit our Claudia Dean Showroom - located 82 Arthur St, Fortitude Valley (don’t forget we also have free onsite parking).
Can’t wait to meet you soon!
CD xx
The Claudia Dean Showroom is located at 82 Arthur St Fortitude Valley.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm
Sat: 8am-12pm
]]>If you’re looking to splurge a little, this selection of gifts perfectly blends fashion and function. Give a dancer the right bag and they can take on the world (and the stage) and we have so many incredible bags in our gift guide like our famous Pro Bags (navy, ice-grey & OG), Tote Bag or Blush Pink Charm Bundle.
For the technically focused dancers, The Technique Bundle (including a powerband, power ball, power ring and power roller) is the gift that keeps on giving, that will continue to help them hone their craft long after christmas is over. You can’t go wrong with any classic pieces from Our Signature Dancewear collection (you can never have too many leotards).
Two of my personal favourite gifts this year are the Navy Blue Bundle or Wednesdays We Wear Pink Bundle featuring our signature slides, matching socks and a pop socket!
If you’re looking for something with the ultimate versatility - this selection of gifts are perfect for both in and out of the studio.
Good shoes take you to good places, so why not spoil the dancer in your life with a pair of CD Slides (available in 6 fun colours) or the The Mini Bag (available in Blush Pink or Black) aka the ultimate arm candy!
Upstyle their active wardrobe with one of our Staple Crops or Marshmallow, Mint or Daze Stripe Tees that are the perfect pieces for layering!
Who doesn’t love secret santa and this selection of gifts under $50 are absolutely perfect for this!
For the dancers who appreciate the finer things in life, our Charm Drop Earrings, Charm Stud Earrings and CDW Phone Style Bundle are effortlessly elegant.
For the dancer who puts the practical in practicality our new Whirlpool CDW Crew Sock, Fairyfloss or Lilac Power Bottle or Flexible Feet Bundle will show your appreciation and encouragement for their dancing journey.
For the ultimate stocking stuffers, you can’t go past this selection of gifts that are all under $20! Practical items like our rose gold bobby pins, and CDW Crew Socks are always a good idea and the perfect items everyone should keep handy in their dance bag.
For the tech savvy kings and kweens, check out our Pop Sockets, Rose Gold Charm & CD Phone/Bag Charms!
When in doubt - Gift Card it out - and our Claudia Dean Gift cards are available between $50-$500!
So no matter your budget, this Claudia Dean Christmas gift guide offers a variety of affordable gifts that will delight any dancer this Christmas season.
Love CD xxx
]]>The Power Band is every dancer's best friend and is useful for so many different things. Whether you loop it around your leg during a stretch to improve flexibility or your feet for some extra resistance, there's so many exercises the Power Band can be used for. One of my favourite exercises to help improve my arabesque strength and height is Arabesques in the Powerband (check out hundreds of exercises with power equipment available on the Claudia Dean App).
The Power Ball is especially useful for dancers who are preparing to dance en pointe but it's also perfect to incorporate regularly to keep your ankles, feet and calves strong. One of my favourite ways to use the ball is PowerBall PushDowns, which not only improves toe strength, but also enhances the overall foot line. We also have a Mini Ball, which is especially good for isolated foot work as well as trigger and tension release through the muscles.
After a rigorous week of classes and rehearsals, it’s pretty normal for our muscles to feel tense and sore. The Power Roller is ideal for this, not just for recovery, but also to prepare your muscles pre-class or performance too! I love to roll it over my calves, thighs, and back for an instant tension release! I love to open up my hips with the Elevated Froggie with Roller & Power Band - which is a great exercise for improving turnout.
Resistance is the key to muscle strengthening, and the Power Ring offers just that. If you want to improve your pirouettes, back strength is key and one of my go-to exercises to help do achieve this is Power Ring Turns. When placed between your arms, it helps activate the correct postural muscles that will help you perfect your pirouettes!
Last, but certainly not least - hydration! Proper water consumption is crucial for dancers not only for our general health, but also for the health of our joints too (did you know that water actually keeps our joints properly lubricated and cushioned?). I take my Power Bottle everywhere and make sure I drink at least 3-4 of these bottles per day (plus it’s insulated to keep your water cold).
Our Power Equipment is now available in two epic bundles - both at discounted prices!
Our Technique Bundle includes: Power Ball, Power Band, Power Roller, Power Ring & Tote bag for just $99 (saving you nearly $50).
And our Technique Bundle 2.0 (NEW) includes: Power Ball, MINI BALL, Power Band, Power Roller, Power Ring and Tote Bag for just $109 (saving you nearly $60).
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#1 Wake Up 30 Minutes Earlier
You may think it will make you more tired BUT it actually does the opposite. You’ll feel more productive, have more energy & be more motivated overall.
#2 Do Something You Find 'Hard' To Do In The Morning
(A workout, breath work or cooking)..because once you accomplish something you consider hard in the morning, you’ll be able to motivate yourself to do ANYTHING that day!
#3 Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others
Focus on growing YOU internally & externally. When you invest your precious time into you (& you see improvements), this will motivate you to keep going. Never stop working on yourself :’)
Finding motivation is a rewarding journey. The key is to prioritise, plan and nurture yourself along the way & remember that you have the strength & dedication to shine in both worlds.
Love Claudia xx
]]>While there’s no perfect age to start pointe, as a general rule it’s advised to wait until you’re at least 11-12 years-old to ensure the muscles in your feet and calves are strong enough. There are a few benchmarks to achieve before you move up to pointe work including continuous calf rises & relevés in the centre on demi-pointe, the ability to hold turnout while dancing, no sickling on demi-pointe and maintaining the correct spinal alignment, but your teacher will regularly be monitoring and assessing you for these things. Having good flexibility and strength through the foot and ankle strength is crucial - if you want some extra tips there are plenty of foot strengthening & flexibility exercises available on the Claudia Dean App that will really help, including Caterpillars, PowerBall Push Downs and One Legged Calf Raises with the Powerband.
There are so many additional things to think about when you start dancing en pointe, so it’s important to remain as consistent as you can with your classes and dance schedule. Ideally before you start dancing en pointe you should be participating in a minimum of 3 ballet classes each week to ensure you’re consistently working on your body's overall strength, flexibility and technique.
Dancing en pointe is extremely enjoyable, however like anything else in life it can be challenging at times and it requires a certain level of commitment. Before you start dancing en pointe you must ensure you understand the extra responsibility you will have caring for your feet and body, which will take a little bit of extra time outside the studio. Whether that’s seeing the physio or podiatrist, setting aside some time at home to work on your foot and ankle strength or giving your feet a good soak (I love soaking my feet with warm epsom salts) be prepared to spend a little bit of extra time caring for your body and feet!
Remember there are a tonne of technique tips and exercises available on the Claudia Dean World App that are perfect to get you ready to dance en pointe! It’s one of the most exciting times in a dancer's journey so be present and enjoy every little moment.
Love CD xxxx
]]>I absolutely love warm-up wear (seriously give me a cross-over anyday) and aside from its stylish design, it also serves a very functional purpose and that’s to help speed up muscle warmth. This is important because the warmer our muscles are, the more oxygen that becomes available to them which helps your muscles contract and relax a lot faster, so you can perform more strenuous moves with ease. This is done of course through a physical warm-up, but adding an extra layer (literally) can make the warm-up more effective. I love to wear a cross-over, knitted shorts and even leg warmers during my warm up to really prep my muscles properly. Our Slumber Parti Collection has so many amazing pieces that are specifically designed to be both warm and lightweight to support you through your warm-up.
One of the things I always have in my dance bag with me at all times is a powerband - they’re just so versatile and can be used for so many different things, especially a warm up. If you get to your ballet class a little bit early, it’s the perfect time to spend a few minutes stretching and warming up before class starts and one of the easiest ways to do that is with a powerband - which can be used on your feet, arms, legs and so much more! If you’re not sure where to start there are so many incredible exercises that use the powerband on our Claudia Dean App that are perfect to complete before class like Dead Ant, Open My Hips and Diamonds in Powerband. Download the app now to access hundreds of exercises.
I’m obsessed with water and I never go anywhere without my emotional support power bottle to make sure I’m getting at least 2L of water every day. Aside from the benefits it has for our overall health including our skin and digestion, water is also a really key component for movement as it keeps our joints lubricated. Did you know that the tissue in our joints is 80% water so staying hydrated keeps that tissue spongy and soft to absorb shock, which is super important for dancers in particular when performing allegro.
Remember that preparation is the key to success, and for dancers a proper warm-up is the best way to ensure your body is set up for success!
Love CD xxx
]]>Every dancer dreams of achieving perfect extensions and beautiful high arabesques. It’s one of the most enchanting and visually stunning moves we can perform on stage - nothing captivates an audience quite like a perfect Arabesque. As dancers, we’re taught to make extremely difficult and physically demanding moves look graceful, fluid and effortless. If you’re looking for some tips on how to achieve a higher arabesque and level up your back flexibility, check out my top 3 tips below. Plus, if you really want results, check out our Higher Arabesque Challenge, available on the Claudia Dean App!
Focus on strengthening your hamstrings, glutes and lower back
A common myth about arabesques is that flexibility through your legs is what will help you achieve height, but in actual fact there are three main areas you need to focus to achieve a higher arabesque; your hamstrings, glutes and lower back. While flexibility is of course important, your body needs strength through these three areas to lift the leg, stabilise your body and hold the leg in place (especially when you’re not performing these exercises at the barre). There are so many exercises on The Claudia Dean App specifically designed to improve strength in these areas like arabesque pulses in the powerband, swan lake lifts and pulses on 4s.
Think about lifting up
In an effort to get your back leg higher, our upper bodies will have a natural habit to push forward, but think about really lifting up instead of forward. I like to visualise an imaginary piece of string lifting up through the crown of my head to help improve the line of my arabesque and to also enhance the curve through your back. The same thought applies to the lifted leg and arm - think about drawing out and up through the toes and fingertips.
Work on flexibility through your hip flexors
If you don’t have enough flexibility through your hip flexors, it will limit your range of movement, which in turn will restrict the height of your arabesque. If you have naturally tight hip flexors, it’s easy to ‘cheat’ the height of your leg by allowing your hips to open, which in turn also allows the leg to lift higher, but your hips should remain as square as possible, which is why working on flexibility through this muscle group is so important. There are a whole host of incredible exercises available on the Claudia Dean App designed to help improve hip flexibility including froggie starfish, turnout mounts and high retiere stretch.
Remember we have plenty more resources available on the Claudia Dean App that will help you take your technique to the next level. So if you’re serious about improving the height of your arabesque, download the app now and access our Higher Arabesque Course.
I can’t wait to see your incredible results!
Love CD xxx
]]>So if you’re looking for some creative inspiration to shake up the way you tie your hair up, you’ve come to the right place because I’m sharing 3 of my favourite ways to style your hair for ballet!
This one is the ultimate expression of sophistication and is a timeless and classic look! The classic ballet bun is a style every dancer should have in their repertoire as it’s the perfect style for exams!
Step 1: Brush hair back into a high ponytail using gel or hairspray to hold hair neatly in place
Step 2: Twist your ponytail into a coil, wrap it in a flat circle and secure with bobby pins
Step 3: Add a bit of personal flair with a coloured scrunchie or headband
If you want a fun twist on the classic ballet bun, try plaiting the ponytail before coiling it for a cute braided bun!
This style is perfect for rehearsals and auditions when you want to turn heads and really stand out! It’s also a fun weekend style you can rock outside of the ballet studio too!
Step 1: Part your hair down the centre and section into two sections (like you’re making pigtails). Secure one side with a clip or hair elastic to keep out of the way
Step 2: French braid one side until you reach the nape of the neck and secure with a hair elastic
Step 3: Repeat the same step on the other side
Step 4: Tie both ends of the braids together in a ponytail and then plait. Coil the plait into a circle and secure the bun with bobby pins.
For a fun weekend style to rock with your fave athleisure wear (this looks so cute with any pieces from our hoodie edit), leave the hair in a ponytail or loose messy bun!
This one is the perfect balance of classic and modern and is suitable for pretty much anything whether it’s an exam, rehearsal or class!
Step 1: Section two front pieces of hair, parting down the middle and secure the rest into a neat high ponytail
Step 2: Twist your bun into a coil and secure with bobby pins
Step 3: Take 1 front section at a time, pull it back in the direction towards your bun and twist into a coil. Wrap the coil around your bun and secure with bobby pins
Step 4: Repeat on the other side and finish with hairspray
Change up the look of this one by either doing a high or low bun depending on your personal preference.
Remember, your hair is 90% of your selfie so put a little bit of extra effort in the next time you style your hair for class to really let your style shine through!
If you create any of these styles, snap and share on instagram and tag @claudiadeanworld!
Love CD xx
]]>I’m a big fan of layering, especially when I travel and it helps make sure I’m always prepared for anything! I would definitely say that my signature style is athleisure and I love mixing my CD collection pieces in with other garments in my wardrobe. I love the look of a hoodie layered with an oversized jacket like a denim jacket, a bomber jacket or if it’s really cold you can also use a trenchcoat. I love to pair this with matching track pants, CD socks and sneakers for the ultimate athleisure look!
If I’m heading somewhere that I want to look a little more polished and put together, I love to create that classic Kendall Jenner ‘classic cool girl relaxed vibe’ using a hoodie as the base of the outfit. In this instance I would opt for a more neutral colour like Chocolate Brown paired with parachute pants, slides and a fun handbag. These little details instantly help to upstyle and elevate your outfit, while still being super comfortable!
In this case, a few simple accessories go a really long way and this is also a chance to really let your personality shine through. One of my favourite things about seeing you guys rocking your CD Collection pieces is seeing how you accessorise them and make them unique to you! Whether it’s with a cool pair of sneakers, a fabulous bag, a beanie or hat, some signature jewellery or even some CD Hair Accessories, accessories are what really define an outfit!
Above all else, remember that fashion is all about having fun! Don’t forget to show me how you style your Claudia Dean Collection Pieces including our brand new Hoodie Edit by tagging @claudiadeanworld on instagram!
Love CD xxx
]]>I thought it would be fun to delve into a few of our most recent collections to find out what your favourite Claudia Dean collection says about you…
The Cotton Candy Capsule
You're fun, lighthearted and don’t take things too seriously. Your optimistic, uplifting and humorous energy always makes you the life of the party and you’re happiest when surrounded by a big group of people - especially when it’s friends and family. You know exactly who you are and love expressing your individuality whether it’s through your dancing, your fashion and style or even through art and other creative outlets.
Shop the Cotton Candy Capsule Here
The LOVE Collection
You exude a powerful and confident energy that extends into everything you do - whether it’s dancing, school/study or socialising with friends and family. You have an unwavering sense of drive and determination that’s perfectly complemented with passion - a combo that makes you even more unstoppable! Never one to turn down an opportunity for a new adventure, your overwhelming sense of courage and optimism makes people love to be around you.
The Island Edit
You feel a really intrinsic connection to nature and absolutely love spending time outdoors, which is where you feel the most centred and grounded. You have a calm, warm and nurturing energy that probably makes you the ‘mum’ or ‘caretaker’ of your friendship group and love seeing your friends and family thrive. You always see the bigger picture and as a result tend not to sweat the small stuff - a very admirable quality and one that people love about you!
Shop the Island Edit Collection Here
The Signature Collection
You’re reliable, determined and always go above and beyond to achieve everything you set out to. You’re cool, composed and always reliable and you’re naturally fair and objective outlook make you great at always being able to see both sides of every story. You have a sophisticated and timeless vibe about you and a killer sense of style, that probably has your friends constantly asking to borrow outfits from you.
]]>So if you’re wondering how to get a 180 degree développé or how to get your leg even higher in arabesque, here are 4 tips to help you improve your extensions!
If you don’t already have the Claudia Dean World App, download it now and keep an eye out for our Extensions Queens Course that’s exclusively launching to our App Community on May 13.
One of the most important things to remember is to spend equal amounts of time stretching as you do strengthening, as good extensions require a great deal of both! Think about it for a second, you can be the most flexible person in the world, but if you don't have enough strength, you won’t be able to hold your leg in place so focus on strengthening your quads, adductors and hamstrings. One of the best ways to do this is to add some resistance with power equipment like a Power Band. We have a whole host of amazing strengthening exercises available on the Claudia Dean App, and more specifically, exercises that will strengthen the muscles required to nail your extensions like attitude devants with powerband, high retiré lifts with extension and hip flexor pulse with the powerband.
Even though extensions appear as though they’re happening through our legs, don’t underestimate how hard our back and core are working to help lift and stabilise, particularly our Erector Spinae. While stretching and strengthening the legs is an important factor, make sure you pay equal attention to your back and core too. We have a whole series of back exercises available on the Claudia Dean App including pulses on all 4s, swan lake lifts, upper back lifts with the Powerband and so many more, which all require minimal equipment, making them easy to do at home or if you get a break during class.
One of the best tips I have for nailing extensions is ensuring you’re staying turned out to keep your hip joint in the correct alignment. Good turnout is a combination of flexibility and strength - plus it’s one of the most fundamental parts of ballet, required for most exercises! For this reason, I created a whole series of exercises on the Claudia Dean World App dedicated to the hip flexors including froggie starfish, open my hips and dead ant 2 legs (don’t let the name scare you, it does wonders for the hip flexors).
So if you’re ready to take the crown and become an Extensions Queen, remember it’s a journey and while it won’t happen straight away, if you consistently show up and put in the work, I promise that you will see results! Don’t forget to take before/after photos, which you can log on the Claudia Dean World App to help track your progress.
Love CD xx
]]>I often get asked what I keep in my bag so I’m prepared for anything the day throws at me, so today I’m sharing 6 essential items for your dance bag.
As dancers it’s very common to need more than one pair of shoes at a time (particularly at exams and auditions) which is why I designed the Pro Bags to have more than 12 convenient compartments in them. At any given time, it’s pretty likely to have canvas ballet shoes, demi pointe shoes, pointe shoes, jazz sneakers and sometimes even tap and character shoes too, so I find that having separate compartments to keep them all in, not only makes them easier to find, but also keeps my shoes in better condition for longer periods of time too.
I can’t even tell you the amount of times I’ve accidently found myself caught off guard without a hairnet or hairpins; which is an easy thing to forget - especially if you’re coming straight to the studio from school - so now I always make sure I have a stash of hair accessories in my bag at all times. This compartment includes hair pins, scrunchies, headbands, hairnets, hairspray and a hairbrush.
This one is particularly important when you start dancing on demi pointe and pointe, as you need to sew ribbons onto your shoes. I’ve had many faux pas during class or rehearsals where a sewing kit has saved the day, including wardrobe malfunctions where skirts or leotard straps may have broken or I needed to quickly fix my ribbons, which is where a mini sewing kit with sewing needles, cotton, scissors and safety pins really come in handy!
I always keep a little stash of toiletries in one of the compartments of my bag, which includes things like deodorant, bandaids, mints (these really come in handy when you start doing pas de deux), hand sanitiser, make-up wipes and more! Part of being a dancer means always being prepared for anything, and these items always make me feel confident.
I am addicted to drinking water and make sure I always drink a minimum of 2 Litres every single day (more if I have a long day of dancing). The easiest way for me to drink water is by carrying my CD Water Bottle with me everywhere, which keeps my water cold and ensures I stay hydrated throughout the day. I also like to pack some healthy snacks with me for a quick burst of energy (check out some of my favourite healthy snacks here) which is one of the reasons I designed the CD Pro Bags with an insulated compartment to keep them cool and fresh.
I always like to keep some power equipment in my bag, which can come in handy for so many different reasons. The easiest thing to fit in a bag is a Power Band, which is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment that can be used to stretch pre or post class or even used during class to help strengthen and condition your body. There are hundreds of exercises available on the Claudia Dean App that utilise the power band and will help improve your technique!
I designed a whole host of different Dance Bags in a range of different styles and colours, so there’s one to suit every dancer! We’ve JUST restocked our Ice Grey & Black Pro Bag 2.0’s 😍
What do you like to keep in your dance bag?
Love CD xx
]]>Your vibe attracts your tribe, and I strongly believe that you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with. When we allow negative people into our lives who for whatever reason might put us down and make you question your worth, that’s when self-doubt can start to creep in. This is why it’s so important to always surround yourself with people who lift you up, believe in you and will always be the first to clap and cheer you on. This is one of the things I love the most about our Claudia Dean World Community. I love seeing the way you all interact with each other whether it’s online in our private Claudia Dean Community facebook group or IRL at our community events, it’s so inspiring and uplifting and that energy really is contagious.
It’s inevitable that we're all going to have days that are more challenging than others - we’re only human after all - and on those days it’s particularly important to give yourself some extra TLC. When you spend a bit more time doing things that make you feel good you’ll instantly start to feel more confident. A few of things I regularly do are start my day with a meditation, which helps clear my mind and block any negative thoughts that I might be feeling, sit down to a nourishing breakfast that I know will fuel my body for the day and I might also spend a little bit more time getting ready by washing my hair and putting together an outfit that makes me feel incredible. These little daily rituals might seem small, but they can end up having huge results!
I truly believe that magic is something that happens outside of your comfort zone, so I try and challenge myself everyday to do something that might initially feel a little bit uncomfortable/scary. It could be something simple like standing somewhere different in class or wearing your hair a different way or something a little bigger like enrolling in private coaching or attempting a new sequence/variation (we have so many of these available on the Claudia Dean App that you can do from the comfort of your very own home). Everytime you try something new, you gain strength, courage and confidence with every new experience + you’ll never know how truly capable and amazing you are until you try!
I’ve always said that comparison is the thief of joy, so never compare yourself, your abilities or your journey to anybody else, whether it’s something you’ve seen on social media, in a dance class or at school. We were all put on this earth for a reason, and we all have our own strengths and skills that make us unique! If you ever start to feel comparisons creep in, stop it in its tracks by writing down 3 things you love about yourself that make you uniquely you. It could be your strong legs that help give you power and precision in allegro, your kindness that makes people love to be around you or your passion, which gives you a positive outlook on life.
Remember above all else that self-confidence is a journey and it’s completely normal to have days that might feel a little more challenging than others. On those days, it can be super helpful to remind yourself of these tips, so if they resonated with you or you know someone who might benefit from them, share them!
Love CD xx
]]>So with that in mind, I wanted to share 3 activewear trends I can’t get enough of right now (and you can expect to see many of these in our upcoming collections… always keep an eye on our Latest Arrivals as we have new pieces launching every single month!
These have many different names like bodysuits, onesies and catsuits and they’re arguably one of the biggest trends in activewear right now - especially for all the Pilates girls. Bodysuits are all over Tik Tok with everyone from Hailey Beiber and Kendell Jenner right through to Addison Rae and Ariana Grande being papped in them as they leave the studio. Unitards are so versatile and are the perfect transeasonal piece as you can easily layer them up or down. I love wearing a bodysuit with an open linen shirt and slides on the weekend or paired with an oversized jumper or sweatshirt, socks and sneakers while I’m working and coaching. Check out our range of bodysuits from our new Cotton Candy Collection here! I’m OBSESSED with the Berry Bodysuit.
I’m officially calling it, pastels are going to be one of the biggest trends of 2023 and as a huge fan of soft, dreamy and romantic colour palettes, I say bring it on! Pastels were all over the runway at Paris and New York Fashion Weeks particularly in light mint greens, soft pinks and baby blues. Trend forecasting was a huge part of the inspiration for our Cotton Candy Collection, which is why I designed the range in specific pastel colourways including minty green, musk pink and jellybean blue!
While matching sets (also called co-ords) have been around for a while, they’re only continuing to grow in popularity with more people than ever before proudly rocking them outside of the gym! I would confidently say that I pretty much wear a matching activewear set everyday, and I love layering it with an oversized tee with a french tuck that I can easily take on and off when I’m coaching or even out to coffee on the weekend with an open linen shirt! There are so many incredible matching sets in our new Cotton Candy Collection - check them out now. The Candy Crop and matching bike shorts in Minty are one of my faves!
Don’t forget to snap, share and tag us in your OOTD pics on instagram when you wear your Claudia Dean activewear! I love seeing how our community rocks their activewear - you might even get reposted!
Love CD xx
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There are loads of studies that prove the positive effect ballet has on the brain (so much so that it’s even being used to treat people with Parkinson's disease). Learning new sequences and memorising choreography requires a great deal of mental and cognitive focus and activates so many different parts of the brain. Brains that have continually stimulated and varied networks can be stronger and reduce cognitive decline later in life!
You’ve probably heard your teachers tell you this before, but it’s true when they say that ballet teaches you a great deal of discipline, which I thoroughly believe is a skill you can only learn through lived experience. There are so many ways we learn this; respecting authority figures like our teachers, creating high standards of presentation by wearing correct attire and having neat hair to class and the self-discipline required to stretch and practice outside of class.
Life isn’t always going to be easy and I quite often like to remind myself that it’s the hard things in life that we learn the most valuable lessons from. Ballet is very physically demanding and there are times when we’re performing incredibly tough moves on blistered feet or with broken toes and we’re trained to smile through the pain. I fully believe it’s not what happens to you in life, it’s how you deal with it that matters and ballet teaches you how to deal with tough situations graciously.
Ballet is one thing you definitely can’t fake and there are no ‘tricks’ or shortcuts that can help you succeed quicker, and the only thing that will determine your success is how hard you work. This is such an important lesson everyone can apply to all different areas of your life whether it’s career, relationships or even fitness. It’s true when they say that nothing worth having comes easy, and it sure feels good when you work hard and accomplish it.
Confidence isn’t always something that comes easy and just like anything else in life, it’s a learnt skill and ballet is the perfect way to learn it. Confidence is instilled at so many different stages of a dancer's journey. Enrolling in your very first class, performing in front of an audience, performing your very first solo, auditioning for a performance or company, taking exams and even nailing a move in class you’ve been working really hard at. Every little step you take in ballet helps to instil self-confidence, which I truly believe is the most important thing you’ll ever learn.
So remember, while ballet is a physically beautiful artform, there are so many non-physical benefits that come from learning ballet too!
CD X
]]>Dancing en pointe requires a great deal of strength, particularly in your feet, ankles and calves. A significant amount of strength is required in these areas in order to safely maintain your weight on the tip of your toes and to also maintain stability at the same time. There are a whole host of exercises I have created with this purpose that are available on the Claudia Dean App. If you’re really eager to strengthen your lower legs so you can start pointe faster, download the app now and start doing these exercises at home! Our Power Equipment can also be a huge help when doing any kind of ballet exercises, courses or stretching at home.
This is one of the most exciting parts of the journey and I still vividly remember getting fitted for my very first pair of pointe shoes, but just like Cinderella, you might have to try on a few different pairs before you find your perfect fit. Staff in ballet shops are experts in being able to match your foot to the perfect pointe shoe, and they will take a number of different things into account including the width of your foot, your ankle strength, what inners or toe separators you choose to wear and so much more. Remember that your feet will change overtime so it’s important to get fitted everytime you buy a new pair of pointe shoes.
Dancing en pointe is extremely physically demanding so it’s important to remember to take good care of your feet and give them some regular TLC! My dance bag is full of essentials that help my feet including toe tape & bandaids for blisters, a powerband & powerball for pre and post pointe stretching, gel ouch pouches to alleviate pressure in my toes, nail clippers, spare ribbons & elastics and a small sewing kit!
I also like to do regular epsom salt foot soaks or baths, massage my feet with some deep heat or magnesium spray and roll my feet out before and after class with a foam roller.
Remember starting en pointe is one of the most exciting parts of a dancer's journey and something you’ll remember forever! Enjoy the process but also remember to take the time to prepare and provide post class foot care!
CD X
]]>The perfect balanced breakfast should have three things; carbohydrates, protein and fat, which work together to help your body run at optimum capacity. Here are 3 of my favourite nutritious and delicious breakfasts that will give you long lasting energy (check out how I make them here too).
Did you know that oats are often referred to as nature's superfood? They’re so nutrient rich, minimally processed, low GI and best of all are absolutely delicious. What’s more? They are so versatile and can be used in so many different ways. In winter I love nothing more than starting my day with a big bowl of warm porridge topped with peanut butter, honey, cinnamon and blueberries. In summer I love to make a batch of overnight oats by mixing oats, milk, protein powder, chia seeds and peanut butter in a jar and leaving it in the fridge overnight. In the morning all I have to do is add some yoghurt and sliced fresh fruit to the top like banana, strawberries or mixed berries.
This is my go-to in Summer and is perfect on the days I have to rush to work because I can drink it in the car or in my first meeting. I like to prep individual smoothie bags to keep in my freezer containing banana, spinach and blueberries so all I have to do is empty a bag into the blender, add some protein powder, peanut butter, cinnamon and almond milk, mix it all up and breakfast is done! If I’m feeling extra hungry I might also add some oats too as I find that helps me feel fuller for much longer. Protein smoothies also make a great afternoon snack if you find you get hungry between lunch and dinner.
This is one of my favourite things to get creative with on the weekends when I have a little bit more time. Avocado on toast is one of my favourite breakfasts of all time, and I love adding eggs and bacon to give me a little bit more protein. Another delicious combination for those of you who have a sweet tooth, I love peanut butter on toast with sliced bananas and cinnamon.
Remember, every great day begins with breakfast - what’s your go-to?
Love CD xxx
]]>With that in mind, I wanted to share a few of my favourite Apps that I use every single day, that help me stay positive, motivated and always inspired!
Mindfulness/meditation is something that’s a non-negotiable part of my day and the only thing I regret about it is that I didn’t start it sooner! I always thought that meditation was something that took hours and something you should do in a group so I put it off for years, but downloading the Headspace App has completely changed my life.
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is a meditation on Headspace. Sometimes they’re 5-minutes, sometimes they’re 20-minutes, I just choose based on how I’m feeling and how much time I have. I find this simple daily ritual helps set me up in a positive, calm and grateful mindset for the day ahead, which is really important so I can continue to show up and be the best wife, friend, sister, business owner, coach and mentor as I can.
Instagram is without a doubt my most used app of all time (you don’t want to know what my screen time is 😂). Instagram completely changed my business by allowing me to connect with so many incredible dancers around the world and it gave me a platform to be able to easily create informative, inspiring and educational content for you all, which is one of my favourite parts of my job. Check out the Claudia Dean World Instagram here! It really is my favourite place to create content!
Some business owners choose to employ social media managers to run their accounts, but this is something I’ve always been very hands on with because I love chatting with you all through comments and DMs - it’s something I’ll never give up!
One of the reasons I created the Claudia Dean World App was to give more dancers in more locations around the world the opportunity to access online ballet coaching and I’m so glad that I did! The app was designed for every dancer whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced to improve flexibility, technique and strength and it’s still something I use myself when I want to refine my own flexibility or technique!
Hopefully you find as much value out of these apps as I do.
Love CD xxx
]]>The funny thing is that when I started stretching regularly (and purposefully with the right exercises), I saw so many changes and improvements in not only my extensions, but in so many other areas, which is why I’m so passionate about helping empower and motivate other dancers to stretch as often as they can! This is one of the reasons I created the Claudia Dean App, which has hundreds of exercises and stretches on it that will help you see and feel a difference. Here are 3 reasons stretching is important for dancers.
It reduces the risk of injury
This is probably one of the most important reasons all dancers need to stretch at least 3-4 times a week (if not more). Stretching and warming up your muscles before you launch into any kind of physical activity (especially ballet) helps to stimulate the production of synovial fluid in the joints, which is what helps aid shock absorption and reduces friction in the joints and cartilage from things like Allegro and Grand Allegro. It also helps loosen and warm up your muscles so you don’t sustain any tears through sudden jolts of extensive movement like Grand Battements!
There are so many incredible Warm Up exercises for every part of the body available on the Claudia Dean App that can be done in just a few minutes!
It releases tension and calms your mind
We all carry stress in our muscles, whether it’s from a busy day at school or work or a particularly strenuous and physically demanding ballet class. As dancers, it’s important that we provide relief and release to our muscles after every single class, so you’re able to fully rest and recover. In addition to physical relief, certain stretches can also provide emotional relief, particularly when opening up your hips, shoulders and chest!
The Froggie Flexibility series on the Claudia Dean App is perfect for opening up tight hips, which is important for anyone who sits at a desk all day.
It helps prevent muscle soreness
How many times have you woken up after a long day of rehearsal or a week packed full of holiday classes with muscles that are so sore it hurts to even sit down to go to the toilet 🤣? I’ve definitely been there many times before, which is why I found that incorporating daily stretching into my routine was something that really helped speed up my recovery. Trust me I promise it’s not as time consuming as it sounds, and I used to actually look forward to it! Every night after dinner when my family and I would relax after dinner and watch some TV, I would do 20-minutes of stretching, which always made my body feel amazing, particularly after a long day of dancing. Stretching releases nutrients and blood supply to the muscles, which speeds up your recovery by helping to shift the lactic acid build up, which helps reduce the feeling of soreness!
Any stretches from our Back Flexibility series on the Claudia Dean App are perfect to do in front of the TV (you won’t miss a second of Emily in Paris).
So if you don’t already, why not challenge yourself to stretch for 20-minutes a day and see the difference it makes to your technique, your headspace and your recovery! We also have a whole host of Flexibility Courses that are exclusively available on the Claudia Dean App - so why not give them a go?
Love always CD xx
The S stands for Specific
When it comes to setting a goal, you should get as specific as you can. While it’s great to want to improve your pirouettes, that’s a little bit too vague. Instead, be really clear on exactly what you want to achieve. For example, it might be “I want to do 15 fouettés en pointe”. Getting really clear on exactly what you want to achieve is the first step!
Think about your goal and write it down (remember to be as specific as you can).
The M stands for Measurable
In order to know that you’ve successfully achieved a goal, you need to be able to measure its success. If we look at that same goal earlier ‘to improve my pirouettes’ there’s no way to measure whether we have or haven’t improved. By getting specific and saying “I want to nail 15 fouettés en pointe” we’re able to immediately measure whether we were successful or not.
Have a look at the goal you just wrote down and answer yes or no… can it be measured?
The A stands for Actionable
One of my favourite sayings is ‘A goal without a plan is just a wish’ and I completely agree! Once you’ve gotten really clear on what your goal is, the next step is to write a list of actions you’re going to take that will help you get there. There are so many specific goal related exercises on our Claudia Dean World App that will help you improve particular areas including fouettés and foot strength. So your action items here could be, to complete 3 x 20-minute fouetté exercises every week and 2 x foot strength exercises a week.
Take a moment to write down some action steps for the goal you want to achieve. Now would also be a great time to download the Claudia Dean App so you can start utilising the exercises.
The R stands for Realistic
While it’s always good to have big goals, it’s also just as important to be realistic with yourself. If you have just started dancing en pointe, you might want to start with something a little bit more achievable first like “I want to nail a double pirouette en dehor en pointe” before moving onto fouettes.
Take a moment to assess whether your goal is realistic for you to achieve at this point in your ballet journey and if not, adjust accordingly.
The T stands for Timebound
Setting an end date for your goal will not only help you stay accountable, but also on track with the items on your action list. If you don’t have a timeframe set out from the get go, you’ll find it harder to stay accountable and keep finding excuses to put it off. So going back to the original example, we would simply add a time frame… “I want to nail 15 fouettes en dehor en pointe in 6 weeks”. This helps to pull everything together and will also help you track your progress along the way. If you’re still struggling at the 3 week mark, it might be time to relook at some of the action items you’ve listed, or to even rejig the goal so you still achieve it!
So I want you to have a go at setting a ballet goal, and once you’ve written it down ask yourself these simple questions. Is it specific? Is it measurable? Is it actionable? Is it realistic? And finally, is it time bound?
Remember, you don’t need a new year, a new month or even a new week to set some new goals! All you need is the passion to make it happen and the SMART goal formula! Having an accountability partner also helps you achieve your goals, so once you’re happy with your goal, tell someone! If you don’t have an accountability buddy, I’d love to hear your SMART Goal! Message it to me on Instagram here!
It’s a great day to smash some goals!
Love CD xxx
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Nuts are a great source of protein and they’re a great thing to keep in your bag for when you need a quick and easy hit of energy. I love almonds, cashews, pistachios and brazil nuts! Something I also like to do on the weekend is make a batch of my own healthy trail mix. All I do is mix almonds, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, sunflower seeds and dark chocolate coated goji berries into a container and I have enough to last me the week!
This is one of my favourite go-to snacks and there are so many different delicious combinations you can make. A few of my favourites are: carrot sticks & hummus, cucumber & tzatziki, capsicum slices & guacamole and even snow peas and cottage cheese. It’s such a refreshing and satisfying snack.
I have a pretty big sweet tooth and another thing I always like to have in my bag is a bliss ball as a quick and easy snack, which always satisfies my cravings and also gives me a quick hit of energy. A few of my favourites are The Keep It Cleaner Peanut Butter Bliss Ball, Smooshed Wholefood Balls in Cacao Brownie Flavour and the Dineamic Salted Caramel Bliss Ball.
Again, this one really satisfies my sweet tooth and also provides a good amount of fibre and protein! I even love one of these combinations after dinner if I’m still feeling hungry. I love apple slices with almond butter and cinnamon, dates stuffed with cashew butter and banana slices with peanut butter and dark chocolate chips.
Carbohydrate rich snacks are the perfect thing to always have on hand as that is the biggest energy source our body uses while we dance so it’s important to incorporate plenty of carbohydrates into your diet. For a quick and easy carb hit I love Cobbs Sweet & Salty Popcorn, some Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes or these delicious oven baked pretzels.
Love CD xxx
]]>I think the best place to start is with some good quality basics as this will form the base of your wardrobe. Every dancer should have a couple of go-to leotards in your preferred style (read more about how to find the perfect leotard for you here), some skirts, some activewear and of course a dance bag. Having a couple of basics in a few different colours is a brilliant way to start building a wardrobe that you can easily mix and match, so it always looks like you’re wearing a new outfit! For example, I love my Odette Midnight Black Leotard because it looks so chic and sophisticated when I wear it with my Royal Skirt in Midnight Black and I can completely change the look with my Flamingo Lychee Skirt. If you like to mix it up, check out our Claudia Dean Mix and Match Collection, which is designed for this very purpose!
This is where it started to get really fun! Once I have a base, I love to start layering! When it comes to my wardrobe, something that’s really important for me is knowing that when I get dressed in the morning, my outfit will be able to support me through my entire day - whether it’s some office admin, a private coaching session, filming new exercises for our Claudia Dean App or getting some lunch with the team. I’ll normally start with some basic activewear (at the moment I’m obsessed with the Royal Romi Crop and Seamless Bike Short) and if it’s summer I’ll throw on an oversized tee (I love either french tucking here or you can even tie it in a front knot for a more put together look) and in winter I love snuggling in my Marl Grey Crew Sweater (it’s the perfect colour to go with everything). On office days when the aircon gets really cold or even to throw on over a leotard to and from the studio, you can’t go wrong with any of the matching tracksuits (I literally have one in every colour I absolutely live in them in winter).
And last but certainly not least, you can’t go wrong with some signature accessories, which I think really is what puts the finishing touches on every outfit. Some of my favourite pieces are from our Claudia Dean Accessory Range, and I never leave home without my Claudia Dean Socks (there’s a reason I designed them to be available in so many different colours). I love pairing my CD socks with my fave pair with sneakers but my new obsession is pairing them with my Claudia Dean Slides (which are quickly becoming a bestseller). These slides are designed to be worn literally anywhere and everywhere are perfect to pop on to wear to and from the studio or even out and about on the weekend.
Remember, style is a way of saying who you are, without having to speak! What do you want your style to say?
Love CD xxx
]]>1. Move your body every day
There are so many benefits - both physical and mental - that come from daily movement. The biggest thing I find is the impact it makes on my overall mood and headspace - which is the main reason I like to get up and move - particularly on the days I might be feeling off. The best thing is, there’s no right or wrong way to move, whether it’s a walk, some stretching with Power Equipment (we also have some great stretching exercises on our Claudia Dean World App), Yoga, Pilates or dancing (check out some of our App exercises here), find something you love and stick to it.
2. Jazz up your water
Staying on top of your daily water intake can be tricky, particularly if you don’t really like water (which isn’t uncommon) but there are a few things I like to do to help make sure I’m staying hydrated. First things first, I drink a big glass of water as soon as I wake up to hydrate my body immediately. Secondly, I like to jazz my water up by adding things to make it more appetising. Some of my favourite combos are: strawberry & lime, lemon, ginger and cucumber and watermelon and mint! And last but certainly not least, I never go anywhere without my trusty water bottle.
3. Nourish your body
Food is fuel and it’s so important - particularly as a dancer - not to deny yourself of any food groups (unless of course you have specific allergies). I’m a huge foodie and eating a balanced diet full of delicious and nutritious food always gives me the abundant energy I need to smash my busy days. I’m definitely the chef in my house and I love getting creative with my cooking. I also like to make a little bit extra so I can pack myself leftovers for lunch the next day (this is exactly why our Claudia Dean Bags have a chilled insulated area in them). I also think it’s also important to include ‘soul foods’, which are the delicious things that light up our souls like some chocolate after dinner, a freshly baked croissant or some Friday night pizza.
4. Prioritise your sleep
It can be so tempting to stay up late to watch one last episode on Netflix, but I need 8 hours of sleep to function at my best! Some of the things I like to do to help me wind down and ensure I get good quality sleep, is to put my phone down at 7pm (family time), I read instead of scrolling before bed and I put my phone on do not disturb!
Love CD xxx
]]>With so many different styles to choose from, it can be hard knowing which one is right for you and your body, so let me break down a few of my favourite styles so you can find your perfect fit.
Universally Flattering
The Odette is one of our bestselling leotards - and with very good reason. One of the best features of this leotard is the sweetheart pleated neckline, which is flattering on all body types. The support levels of this leotard are completely customisable thanks to the adjustable straps (which are rose gold of course) so you feel confident and secure knowing nothing will accidentally slip out. What’s more? The Odette leotard comes in a whole host of different colours, whether you’re a pink or pattern type of girlie.
Shop the Odette Leotards here: SHOP HERE
More Support
Featuring all the same high performance details of our Odette leotard, our Aurora just has thicker straps, which offers a little bit more support through the upper body. The Aurora features the signature CD high cut leg lines, which elongates the look of your leg to give you killer extensions! Our Aurora leotards come in a whole host of incredible colours, including a range of limited edition colours. I’m absolutely loving the Limited Edition Pineapple shade for summer.
Shop the Aurora Leotards here: SHOP HERE
More Coverage
If you prefer a little more coverage (you might even have a bigger bust) our Clara Leotard is perfect! This style features a flattering cap sleeve, love heart mesh neckline for modest coverage the mid scoop back makes it one of our most comfortable leotards, which flatters every dancer's body!
Shop the Clara Leotards here: SHOP HERE
Elongate Your Torso
If you’re a little more on the petite side, one of the easiest ways to elongate the look of your torso and in turn your height is with high necklines as featured in our Giselle Leotards. The high boat neckline provides additional coverage at the front, but has an eye-catching deep square back (as they say - business in the front, party in the back). Giselle is a feminine cut with elongating seams and high cut leg line.
Shop the Giselle Leotards here: SHOP HERE
One of my favourite things to design are leotards, and we drop new colours and styles all year ‘round! Shop our full range of Claudia Dean Leotards here.
Love CD xxx
]]>It’s so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and think “why don’t I have feet like hers”, “her pirouettes are better than mine” or “I wish I was taller”. We’re all guilty of doing this from time to time and probably don’t even realise we’re doing it, but our inner voice is so powerful so it’s time to rewire the conversation. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, you shouldn’t say it to yourself! Start by giving yourself one compliment out loud every day - it could be “wow your hair looks great today” or “I love my strong calves, they really helped me nail my petit allégro today”. Wearing these little hearts on your ears will help serve as a good daily reminder to speak to yourself with love.
It’s amazing how different you feel with freshly washed hair or one of your favourite go-to-outfits and I think that self-care is an important part of self-love. Just to clarify, this isn’t about the way you look, it’s about the way it makes you feel and I for one know that when I have clean hair and I’m rocking one of my favourite CD outfits I feel amazing. PS - these are a few of my favourite things at the moment that always make me feel fab!
I believe in approaching everything I do with the attitude of gratitude and this is something I practise daily. The first thing I do when I wake up every morning is write down 3 things that I’m grateful for in my CD Planner, which sets the tone for my day. It could be as small as “I’m grateful for my morning coffee” or as big as “I’m grateful that I get to go to work and do what I love everyday”. When you start doing this daily, you’ll realise just how much you have to be grateful for!
In the spirit of the launch of our new LOVE Collection, we’re celebrating love all month, so join our Community & keep an eye on your inbox and on our Instagram, because there’s plenty more where that came from!
Love CD xxxxx
The ideal dance bag needs to be equal parts functional, comfortable and of course fashionable, and lucky for you we have all three of these elements covered as well as THREE different dance bags for you to choose from. All of our bags are vegan, completely waterproof, have 12 convenient compartments, help promote good posture and back alignment and of course in classic CD style are all finished with stunning rose gold detailing, so you can live stylishly ever after.
OG PRO BAG
Pink is so much more than just a colour, it’s an attitude, and our OG Pro Bag in dusty pink is a whole mood. Feminine and super spacious (with 12 different compartments) whether you’ve got a full day of rehearsals or you’re heading to class straight after school, trust me when I say you can fit everything in this super lightweight bag!
Just like a développé, this bag is full of classical beauty and grace! SHOP HERE.
PRO BAG 2.0
You’ve probably seen the Pro Bag in Black before (you might even have it - it’s one of our best sellers) but my new FAVOURITE bag to rock is the gorgeous new shade ice-grey - big slay! This bag has 12 compartments so you don’t spend hours rummaging through your belongings trying to find a hair pin, has a chilled insulated area to keep your water cold and will help keep your back and posture in good alignment.
Just like an attitude in derrière, this bag is full of style and sass! SHOP HERE.
DUSK GREY TOTE BAG
What’s fashionable, functional and one of my favourite colours of all time? Our Dusk Grey Tote Bag that’s perfect for anyone who prefers carrying a tote bag to a backpack. With 10 compartments, there’s somewhere to fit everything from shoes and sweaty leotards right through to a laptop, snacks and hairpins.
Just like a Battement Frappé this bag is strong and striking. SHOP HERE.
Remember, life is too short to carry a boring bag, so whatever your style, you’re sure to find a dance bag you love! SHOP OUR FULL RANGE OF DANCE BAGS HERE.
Love always CD xxx
]]>Inspiration gives us both the means and the motivation to feel happier, more fulfilled and empowered to achieve our goals. The best thing about inspiration is that it comes in so many different forms! Whether it’s watching your favourite dance movie (give me any excuse to watch Center Stage), listening to a soundtrack that gets you moving or even reading a book about one of your favourite dancers, this is the perfect time to immerse yourself in things that ignite the inspiration in your belly! If you’re not sure where to start, our brand new Claudia Dean App has a whole host of things that will keep you inspired!
One of my favourite things to do is to write my goals down and stick them in a place I’ll constantly see them, like in my planner, on my bathroom mirror, beside my bed or even in my dance bag. Did you know people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them? So whether your goal is a triple pirouette, doing the splits or achieving higher extensions, writing them down is the first step to achieving them!
This is definitely my favourite part and I truly believe that wearing the right dance outfit will not only boost your confidence, but it will also improve your technique as well as performance so it’s important to find something that works for you and your body. If you’re not sure where to start, I highly recommend our Aurora Leotard from our signature collection, which features a sweetheart neckline, flattering bust seam, lowbackline and our signature high cut leg lines - which are comfortable and flattering on all body types.
My favourite items at the moment are the Pro Bag 2.0 in Black (it seriously fits everything you need) the Iced Mint Crew Socks and Grape Slides (which are perfect for wearing to and from the studio) and
The most important thing to remember is to be kind to yourself and make sure you ease yourself back into a busy schedule. You’re likely to have taken a bit of time off dance and movement over the holidays so I always recommend a bit of stretching in the few weeks prior to returning to the studio. I absolutely swear by my Power Bands from the Power Equipment Range and use them every night to stretch when I’m watching TV! They’re so versatile and can be used to stretch everything from your feet, hamstrings and quads right through to strengthening your muscles and improving turnout and the heights of your dèveloppè. One of my favourite features on our new Claudia Dean App is it includes 10, 20 and 30-minute daily exercises, so even just doing 10-minutes a day can make the world of difference in getting you prepared to return!
If you haven’t already, it’s time to get prepared for the year ahead! Follow my simple step by step below and you’ll be ready before you know it!
Can’t wait to see you CD x
]]>I know when you have just experienced rejection, it can be hard to see it as an opportunity for growth, so I want to break this topic down for you, and share some of my suggestions, so you can realise that when one door closes, a better one will open.
1. Acknowledge how you feel & talk about it
When we receive rejection, it is normal to feel hurt & upset. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings as it is a part of healing and moving on. When you receive rejections it is important to put it behind you and focus on the next opportunities! You may receive 100 “no’s”, but it only takes one yes to put you in the right direction. I honestly believe in ‘What is meant to be, will be’ & you are receiving this rejection as there is something better for you around the corner, you just need to be patient!
2. Don’t blame yourself
Every dancer, teacher, adjudicator & director has their own favourite types of dancers, looks etc. & that really is a wonderful thing. Imagine if we were all the same - life would be pretty boring!
It’s normal to look for an answer about why you weren’t the one chosen for a role or hired into a company. Sometimes, it’s simply not straightforward, and when we can’t find answers, we tend to blame ourselves. Sometimes, the outcome is completely out of your hands, and it would be unfair to assume you did something wrong, or blame yourself for things that were out of your control.
We are all so unique, not only in the way we move as dancers, but also in the way we interact as people. The opinion someone has of you, whether they are the director of a company or a school, a teacher or a choreographer, or an adjudicator is exactly that: an opinion. It is one they are entitled to, but you can’t always understand or influence, and one you most certainly do not need to change for, in order to suit them.
3. Become resilient
Being rejected does not determine who you are, but how you bounce back from it can determine your future! The ability to keep an open mind, focusing on solutions and what you can learn, asking for support, seeing mistakes as a necessary step on the road to success. Once you learn that every situation, even one that has left you feeling upset, is a chance to grow and become a better version of yourself, you will find that far more exciting opportunities start coming your way!
4. Keep going
The greatest success comes from persisting even when you’re rejected. Every successful person, whether they are a dancer or not, has been rejected, it’s all part of life. Once you start seeing rejection as something that is completely normal and necessary to grow, you stop taking it personally. This acceptance not only makes knock-backs less painful, but continuously putting yourself out there and tackling every opportunity will ultimately lead you to your goals, even if it takes you down another path or longer than you thought.
Life will never really follow the exact journey we had imagined or as someone else. Once you learn to focus on your strengths, work on your resilience and accept that rejection is a normal experience, every setback you experience will ultimately become an important lesson in life. Stay true to who you are and what you believe in - you don’t need to change for anyone. Sometimes, finding the right place and people can take several tries!
‘Always believe that something amazing is about to happen’ X
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Sometimes your period can come unexpectedly (or sometimes we’re just so busy it takes us by complete surprise) so I make sure I always have a stash of tampons, panty liners, fresh tights and nurofen in my dance bag so I’m always prepared. This is exactly the reason we designed our Claudia Dean Dance Bags with so many different compartments, so you have room for everything you need and you can easily find it. It’s also handy to carry these things in case one of your friends or classmates unexpectedly gets their period - how good is it being able to help a friend out?
Comfort is key during your period, especially on day 1 -2 when you might be feeling a little sore and bloated. On these days I love to wear my Claudia Dean Tracksuits as the waistband is nice and loose around my stomach. Our Claudia Dean Warm Up Shorts are another great thing to wear - especially if the weather is a little hotter. These are both great options to wear either at home or to and from the studio over your leotard.
There’s nothing worse than the constant worry that you’re leaking through your tights or leotard so I find the easiest way to stay confident and focused is by wearing darker colour leotards when I have my period. I generally opt for a Black Claudia Dean Leotard and one that has a little bit more support (my boobs tend to feel a bit more tender and need more support when I’m on my period too). The Aurora Leotard in Black is perfect for this as the straps are thicker and provide additional support. On days I have my period I also opt to wear a Claudia Dean Skirt as again, this provides a bit more coverage.
Knowledge is power and one of the ways I stay clued into what my body is doing and why I might be feeling the way I'm feeling is by downloading a period tracking app. I love Hormone Horoscope, which is a free app that tells you what your hormones are doing based on where you’re at in your cycle. I find this information really helpful and it gave me a much bigger understanding and appreciation for my body. Dealing with hormone changes can be hard, but this app gives some really good information and tips on what to do on days you’re feeling fatigued, irritable and moody (and also reminds you that it’s perfectly normal and okay to feel like that).
The thing about periods is that they look and feel so different for everybody. The most powerful thing you can do for yourself, is to make sure you really tune into your personal symptoms and listen to what your body is telling you. Symptoms can show up in so many different ways including pain, fatigue, mood swings, headaches, bloating and cramps so if you suspect something is off, don’t be afraid to tell your teacher. 1 in 10 women also experience Inflammatory Diseases like Endometriosis and PSOC (I am one of them) so there might be days your pain is so bad it’s important to stay home and rest or swap out a class or rehearsal for some gentle stretching or yoga instead.
Your body uses extra energy when you have your period, so it’s important you continue to fuel your body with real wholefoods during this time (check out my fave healthy snacks here). As a woman it’s especially important to eat iron rich foods, to replace the iron lost through your period. Make sure you incorporate red meat, green leafy vegetables, beans, legumes and dried fruits. You may have also noticed your body craves chocolate? This isn’t a coincidence, and it’s actually the magnesium your body is looking for, which is found in dark chocolate. Magnesium helps alleviate cramps - so if you suffer from bad or painful cramps, make sure you’re eating foods that are naturally rich in magnesium like rolled oats, pumpkin & chia seeds and almonds.
First and foremost, remember to listen to your body and rest if you need to. While they can be frustrating at times, periods are part of our lives as women, and it’s important to find a way to work with your body instead of feeling like your body is working against you!
I hope you’ve found my tips helpful - and don’t forget to share this post with your ballet bestie!
Love CD xxx
]]>One of the most frequently asked questions I get - particularly on instagram - is what are my best tips for remembering choreography. As a dancer, picking up and remembering choreography quickly will give you a huge advantage in ballet exams, at auditions, when rehearsing for performances and just generally in class when you’re learning the syllabus or new variations. When I was younger, this is something I found pretty challenging, but over the years I’ve learnt a couple of things that really help me, so I wanted to share my top 4 tips to help remember choreography.
I know that this can be tricky, especially if you’ve had a big day at school or at work and your mind will naturally start to wonder, but try and stay as present and focused as you can on what you’re learning in the studio. If your mind is preoccupied and full of other thoughts, there’s no room for it to store the information you’re currently learning! Like anything, this is a skill that can take some practice, so try to block out the outside noise and focus on what’s happening in the present moment.
This is something many professional dancers in ballet companies do to help them get into ‘the zone’ particularly before a big audition or performance. It will also help you prepare for big moments in everyday life even if they happen outside the ballet studio, like for a job interview, end of term exams or even a first date! At The Royal Ballet we had access to a video room, which we could visit at any time to learn choreography and often dancers would visit it before auditions and performances to help put them in a focused frame of mind. Remember, a little bit of preparation goes a really long way. While you might not have access to a video room, even something small like a particular song you listen to before every class or a pre-class stretch sequence can really help set you up!
This one was a huge game changer for me, and I think it’s a really underutilised tool. I encourage all the dancers who attend private ballet coaching with me to take as many notes as they can, so they can look back on them to remind themselves when it’s not as fresh in their mind. Writing down and then reading over the steps in the correct order in a notebook will help you establish a mind/body connection that will allow you to retain the information. Take it another step further by downloading the accompanying music and visualise yourself performing the steps and going through the motions. Test yourself by seeing how far you can get through a sequence or repertoire without looking at your notes! I still have a notebook that’s filled with over 50+ different ballets I learnt when I danced with The Royal Ballet!
Like anything else, learning and remembering choreography is a skill that you will only improve with practice! If you want to test your skills, check out the repertoire section on the Claudia Dean App and see how much you can remember. This is such a good skill to have, particularly if you’re preparing for exams and free enchainement!
Good preparation is key to remembering choreography, making you an incredibly valuable asset to a company that performs a frequent and wide repertoire. You can do this!
CD X
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