Tag: dancer

Posted in Dance, Lifestyle, My story

‘January & February ’19 Summed Up : Monthly Recaps’ – Vicky Andreanska

Posted on by vickyandreanska

We are often so busy that we don’t get a chance to appreciate little things that happen to us. I have decided to start doing recaps as there is always so much happening and with me being so busy all the time I think it will be a really nice way for me to review everything that happened and take a moment to simply be grateful.

“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy”.

TRAVELS & ADVENTURES

Snowboarding in High Tatras, Slovakia

I started my January very active. Two years ago since Nico was two years old we started a new tradition. We spend Christmas Day in Limerick and travel to Slovakia to spend the rest of the festive season with my family. After New Years we always go to the mountains for a few days – always the same spot in High Tatras. We spend five days snowboarding, skiing, eating great food and relaxing in a spa. Even though it can be tiring as you’re active all the time, I always come back feeling very motivated, full of energy and ready to take on the new year.

Surfing Weekend in Bundoran, Co. Donegal

Once again Sarah, Leah & myself road tripped up to our surf spot for a Valentine’s weekend- Bundoran. It was our third time there but once again this weekend left me thinking “Damn I love this little town, these people, learning how to surf, being salty and how lucky I am to be able to do this”. It was a weekend full of good vibes, good energy, fun and positive people, surfing and lots of laughs.

DANCE GREYSTONES

Dance Greystones had a three weeks break over Christmas and New Years time. It was probably the longest break we had and I’m not gonna lie, I really missed our weekly rehearsals and dancing. But break is also sometimes needed and we kicked off 2019 in a big style. Our first term ended up being fully booked as we took on one of the most popular musicals ‘The Greatest Showman’. And oh boy, we had fun. We jumped straight into the deep end and break-no break we went full on. Yes, we gave our bodies a bit of a shock after those three weeks of eating and not doing much exercise but we were all on the same boat and we all wanted to get back to a healthy routine.

“Endure the pain, enjoy the gain”.

We rehearsed our two songs: From Now On & This Is Me for four weeks and as usual we shot a dance video at the end of the term. I’ve got to say the costumes are always amazing at each shoot but this time round they were absolutely breathtaking. I found myself having a hard time to recognise some of the girls. Well, have a look for yourself.

For our second term which started the first week of February we chose a song Trip A Little Light Fantastic from ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ and it was one of my favourites up to date.

As you can notice we love musicals. They have something special to them. The costumes, the story, the fun element. And they are all so completely different too, so why not? We did our video shoot just last Sunday and as usual it was such a great day. It rained and it was cold, but it definitely didn’t dampen our dancing spirit. Everyone did an absolutely amazing job and once again I was one very proud teacher.

NEW VENTURE – STAGE SCHOOL

I am absolutely delighted to start my new venture with Xquisite Dance School alongside amazing Nicole Kelly & John Nolan. Every Saturday morning I will be teaching the dance part of the stage school and I can’t wait. The classes are for kids from the age of 4 up to teenagers. They will learn lots of different dance choreographies & also different songs with an amazing vocal coach Claire.

The classes run every Saturday morning at Xquisite Dance Studio at the Rink, D12 and they are open to everyone.

In July all stage school students will showcase their hard work in the theatre in Tallagh, Dublin.

With Xquisite Dance company continuously growing and the talent getting stronger, the show will be a spectacular event full of vibrant, entertaining dance routines, performed by our wonderful students. This show is an excellent opportunity to witness the great work, dedication and fun we have throughout the year. For more information about the classes, do not hesitate to contact me.

ZUMBA® NEWS

When I was writing my last blog (Q & A) and I had so many questions about when am I or if am I going to go back to Zumba®, it made me really miss it. It made me miss dancing to high energy music, letting loose and just shaking my booty 🙂

Every time I hear a song with a great beat I just want to dance. Since the New Year’s I have been playing with the idea of starting Zumba® again. I have recorded two choreos (attached below) with some of the girls in the past two weeks and it was so much fun, it made me miss it even more!

That much, that I’ve decided to start Tuesday morning Zumba® class again.

I’m currently working on choreographing new routines so I can start the class on Tuesday 19th March and I literally can’t wait to see you all.

The classes will run on Tuesdays at 10am in PureLight Dance & Yoga Studio (Shoreline Leisure Bray) followed by breakfast/coffee (optional).

If you’d like to see more of our videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZqKVyPLUXsGWt-XJ5FxJlg?view_as=subscriber

Or stay in touch by finding me via the social links below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zumbaanddancewithvicky

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance_by_vicky_

Website: http://www.dancegreystones.ie

http://www.blogitwithvicky.com

Vicky x

Posted in Dance, Lifestyle, Vicky's Tips

‘How can dancing improve office teamwork and productivity’ – Vicky Andreanska

Posted on by vickyandreanska

“A happy employee is more productive, more energetic and more creative – hence the importance of creating a happy environment within every institution.” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

group-dancing

Dancing is a powerful tool for building up confidence in your employees. It boosts up motivation and fitness levels which increases their productivity and it also teaches your employees how to improve their body language in a work environment.

There is no better way of getting all the members of your team working together, having some fun and interacting with each other in a way that would normally never happen in the office.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. – Maya Angelou

A short dance class once or twice a week will offer employees the option to have fun while mastering something new during the work week. It can be a very nice break for them as well as an opportunity to get the exercise boost they might need in the office. It’s been scientifically proven if we feel good physically, we can perform better intellectually and emotionally.

Here are the most beneficial areas, a dance class can have in work environment:

1. TEAM BUILDING

Dance Class is a great way of getting your employees to work together while developing communication skills and getting to know each other better in a fun and entertaining way. It is what team building through dancing is all about.

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2. HEALTH & FITNESS

Lots of employees spend hours sitting at their desks looking at computer screens and a lot of them even at their lunch breaks. Your health is at risk if you spend too much time sitting down with limited movement throughout the day.

Encouraging fitness activities in the workplace can be very beneficial not just for employees but for employers as well. Dance brings out more positive attitudes when at work, employees are less stressed and most importantly fit employees are much less likely to get sick which will result in much less absentees.

3. ENERGY BOOST

The endorphins released during dancing mean that employees have more energy and a more positive attitude at work. We know that sitting in one place for too long and looking into a screen causes energy levels to drop. A little dance can be a nice refresher and give your employees the energy boost without feeling too tired afterwards.

People Dancing at a Discotheque

4. CONFIDENCE BOOST

Dancing is a major self-confidence boost. As you dance you learn how to be aware of your body movement. It improves the way you carry yourself in team meetings or during presentations which could be a crucial ingredient for workplace success.

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5. IMPROVES CREATIVITY

“If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play”. – John Cleese

Exposing your workers to a creative task that might be outside their comfort zone, such as dance will challenge their minds and also give them an opportunity to explore something completely new.

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5. BRINGS FUN AND APPRECIATION

Young happy couple dancing at home and laughing.

Bringing fun activities into the work place shows your employees and colleagues that their health and wellbeing is important to you. Employees are happier and more alert which results in them being more productive. Giving your employees an opportunity to learn a new skill like dancing could be a special and lovely way of saying “Thank you for your hard work” and the bonus is: IT’S FUN!

Whether you decide to bring some ballroom dancing classes or fun modern dance classes into your workplace – you can never go wrong. On top of all that you might get to show off your team’s new moves at the next party or even in a short video.

In the past I have been asked to teach one of the businesses in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow a simple dance routine. All members of the team gathered in the main room twice a week for 45 minutes of dancing, to learn and practice a dance routine to the song of their choice. It was something new for every one of them. It was challenging, a lot of fun, very uplifting and it brought a lot of entertainment and smiles to their work day. After four weeks of dancing they did a fun video shoot to showcase their daily office tasks and how the company works on day to day basis mixed with the actual dance they have learned. In their case they used the video as part of their customer facing content providing visitors with an idea of who they are as well as the service they provided. It’s a clever and very unique way to showcase your company culture or even a product offering.

You can check out the video we did with this company below:

They brought dancing into their workplace and THEY LOVED IT!

Are you interested in seeing how dance can help your company?

For more information do not hesitate to contact us here:

www.dancegreystones.ie or www.facebook.com/zumbaanddancewithvicky

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZqKVyPLUXsGWt-XJ5FxJlg?view_as=subscriber

Dance classes, choreography, video production & final edit are all provided in the package.

Vicky x

Posted in Dance, Lifestyle, My story, Q & A

‘Q & A with Vicky’ – Vicky Andreanska

Posted on by vickyandreanska

I often get asked a lot of questions whether it comes to my personal or professional life, so I have decided to do a Q & A style blog especially after welcoming so many new members to our Dance Fam in January. I have chosen 20 of the questions I was asked and answered them in this blog post.

I hope that thanks to this blog you’ll get to know me a little better.

Vicky x

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1. What age are you?

I am 34. I will be 35 in June.

2. What was your very first job?

My very first job was when I moved to Ireland in July 2006. I moved right after graduating from college and I was a waitress in ‘The Coffee Shop’ in Wicklow Town. I worked there for exactly one year and after that I started working as a Fitness Instructor and Swim Teacher in Coral Leisure Centre. I stayed there for another year before I started working in ShoreLine Leisure Greystones. I was in ShoreLine for eight years until I had my son Nico. After maternity leave I decided to focus on my own thing, which is Dance.

3. How did you get involved with dance in Ireland?

I was a dancer in a dance group in Slovakia since I was a teenager. After moving to Ireland I started teaching Zumba® as part of my job. In 2015 I got involved in Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser as a choreographer/ organiser and that led me to form a dance group which is now known as ‘Dance Greystones’.

I also got a chance to open a dance studio and build a dance community around Greystones & Bray area and get involved in multiple Dance Fundraisers.

4. How did you get the group together for Dance Greystones?

Dance Greystones is a group that has really formed by itself. It is a group that is open to everyone – complete beginners or intermediate and advanced dancers, any age, any background. Everyone is welcome to join.

We started with about 15 people in the group in May 2016. Some of them have stuck since the very beginning, some joined us along the way and some are still joining us at this stage. Each term is a new beginning for everyone so people are welcome to join at any stage and I’m very happy to see this group still growing.

5. What are your plans for future with Dance Greystones (are you planning any new things)?

My next goal would be to put on a showcase night ‘The Dance Greystones Show’ which would be a night full of creative choreography performed by Dance Greystones members. A fun night, filled with upbeat, energetic dance routines, nice food and positive vibes.

6. Why did you stop doing Zumba®? Do you miss it and do you think you will start the classes again soon?

I got a lot of questions about this. I have to be very honest with you, I absolutely love Zumba® and yes I miss it very much. The reason I stopped teaching Zumba® was simply because I found it very difficult to commit to weekly classes. As much as I enjoyed every second of the actual class, it was before and after the class where I often struggled. I was always running late, it was the process of getting to the class, getting a sitter and stuff around it that was getting too difficult for me. It just simply ended up being so stressful that it took the enjoyment of the class away from me. It got to the point where I felt burned out and my body was also giving me signs that I needed a break.

Despite all of the above I really miss Zumba® and hopefully I will get back to it in the future. Either way, I will keep you posted.

7. What is your goal in life?

Enjoy the moments, take chances, keep working hard, travel, BE HAPPY.

8. What do you consider to be a highlight of your life so far?

I still sometimes can’t believe someone calls me mommy. Being a mom is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me and I wake up every morning feeling so lucky.

9. Would you like Nico to be a dancer one day?

Nico has a natural rhythm and he has definitely got the moves however, I would never force him to do anything. Whatever he decides he’d like to do I will support him 100%. At the moment he is really into tennis, swimming & football and I’m all for that. But don’t take me wrong – every time I’m choreographing at home he joins me and he throws some serious moves – so you never know 🙂

11. Would you like more kids?

Yes. If it’s in the cards for me, I would definitely love more kids one day.

12. It’s very unusual to see ex partners to get on so well and be such good friends as you and Kamal are. What is the secret?

This is another question I get asked very often. There is no secret. I know because we’re not a couple, our situation might not be “normal” to most, but Im so happy and thankful for the relationship we have. No matter what we always stay focused on the fact that we brought a beautiful baby boy into the world and he is all that matters.

It didn’t work out for us as partners but we care about each other very much. We want each other to be happy and we support each other in everything we do. We are best friends and most importantly we are a family and always will be.

In saying that of course we sometimes clash and drive each other crazy, but who doesn’t? That’s life and we all learn as we go.

13. How are you always so full of energy?

It might seem like that but trust me I am far from that. It’s funny but I feel like the more projects I’m working on, the more energy I have. It’s very rarely that I am bored but I think that’s when my energy levels go down. I feel like I get energy from the jobs I’m passionate about.

I’m also a strong believer that we all need to recharge the batteries now and then. For me it is a vacation whether somewhere abroad or even just a weekend away with the girls. Just a time to switch off and do ‘you’.

14. What dance class apart from yours would you recommend for beginners or advanced dancers?

It depends on what kind of dancing you are interested in. I definitely recommend Xquisite Dance School with Nicole Kelly & John Nolan. They cater for beginners and advanced dancers and they’re amazing (they now teach in Bray too). If you’re more interested in the fitness element then I definitely recommend Zumba® with Susan in Enniskerry or Hip Hop with Rachel (UrbanX Bray).

15. Do you recommend yoga and why?

Yes. I’m not a yoga instructor but I absolutely recommend it. Yoga is great for the body and the mind. Sometimes I suffer with anxiety and I find yoga amazing for helping with that. It is also great for core strength and stretching the body out. There are lots of different types of yoga classes to choose from and I’m sure everyone can find something that suits their needs.

16. Do you work on any projects with other dancers?

I had the pleasure of working on different Strictly Come Dancing Fundraising events with some amazing choreographers and dancers like: Kelly Smyth, Rachel Smyth, John Nolan and Nicole Kelly.

Since becoming a Zumba® instructor in 2011 I have also worked on many Zumba® events with some incredible instructors. The Zumba® Instructors Community in Ireland really is amazing. I worked closely with The Move Me Ireland Team which I was a part of (Donna Murphy, Laura Jurgelionyte, Justyna Mikolajczyk, Geoff Lynam & Susana Murphy).

At the moment I’m starting a new venture with a choreographer Victoria Haskins, as we’re taking on another Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser for Wicklow Educate Together starting in February.

17. Would you take part in a project as a dancer rather than a choreographer/ teacher?

I really love being a choreographer but I have to admit I do miss dancing a lot. I would be absolutely delighted to be involved in a project as a dancer.

18. How do you choose the songs for your classes?

In general I usually either try to go with what’s on or current at the time or I go with the suggestions from the members of the group and what they enjoy the most. It has been proven they like musicals and movies the most so I always try to find the happy medium. Also what plays a big role in the song choice is the actual video and the story in the video as we always strive to re-enact the original.

19. Who are your favourite ‘celebs’ for inspiration?

Depending which area of life we’re talking about. But for lifestyle in general it would definitely be instagrammers who keep it real and who have the similar interests so I can relate to them. I have a good few who I like and get inspired by but my top 5 would be:

1. Alexandra Orviska

2. Ashley Louise James

3. Kamila Sikl

4. The Sikls

5. Kass Martin

20. Do you always eat healthy and exercise much? What are your views on diets?

I’m definitely not a fan of any diets. In my opinion dieting is always temporary and it will end up backfiring on you in the long run. I think making small changes that fit into your lifestyle is the healthiest way to success.

When I’m trying to get or stay in shape I always try and eat healthy foods, consistent meals, regular portion sizes and also have small snacks and drink a lot of water.

I try and be as active as I can and other than my regular classes I strive to fit in some other types of workouts at least 2-3 times a week, obviously depending on how flexible my schedule is. I’ve got to admit, I let myself go in December a little (too many parties and excuses like “sure it’s Christmas”), but January has been quite good and I’d like to continue that way. I also think it’s ok to go out and have a cheat meal now and then, as long as you’re working hard and keeping the commitment.

Thank you all for your questions & I hope you enjoyed the read.

Love, Vicky x

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Posted in Dance, Dance Fam Stories: Through the eyes of a Student

‘Dance Fam Stories: Through the Eyes of a Student – Christmas Special with Dee Donohoe’

Posted on by vickyandreanska

I’m absolutely delighted to share Dee’s dance journey with you all.

Dee is a very special student and friend of mine. She has been my student from day one, dancing with me since my very first Zumba® class in Shoreline Greystones back in June 2011. She was always there, every single class – front and centre with a big smile on her face. Even when I moved my classes to different locations a few years later, she followed me and kept dancing. We soon became great friends and I was delighted to have Dee also joining Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser in aid of The Gavin Glynn Foundation in 2016 which I was choreographing. Soon after when I started ‘Dance Greystones’ Dee was the first one to sign up. Her dedication, friendship and support is something I really treasure and I can’t wait for you to read all about her dance journey where she shares what dancing and everything that comes with it means to her.

When did your dance journey first start?

I started dancing when I was about five years old – Irish Dancing in school.

Then when I was about 10 years old I took up ballet, loved it but had to stop in my teens due to a bad knee injury, not to mention the pressure of school exams.

That was pretty much the last dancing I did, apart from the usual clubbing, until one day a friend of mine asked me had I tried Zumba®. I hadn’t, so she brought me along.

Do you remember your very first Zumba® class? What was it like?

I do. I remember I thought this is the exercise for me. At last I’ve found ‘my thing’. I was attending a morning class then added in an evening class (I couldn’t get enough of it) which turned out to be Vicky’s first Zumba® class in the local sports centre. OMG it was packed out! The lights were turned down, the music was loud and I was having a ball. It felt like a party, not just a great workout.

And so it continued. I was 100% hooked on dance. I was doing something I love, getting really fit, toning, having a full body workout while having the best of fun. Amazing!

As time went on, Vicky branched out on her own, running her Zumba® classes and also running and choreographing Strictly Come Dancing charity events. I thought I could so do that! I signed up for an event. It felt so scary! But so exhilarating! Raising all that money for a worthy cause, meeting amazing people, and having the time of my life, all simultaneously – what’s not to love?

You became part of Dance Greystones since the very start. What does Dance Greystones mean to you and what made you stick with it? 

Eventually, organically, Dance Greystones grew out of an adult dance class which is more than a Zumba® class. And where was I? Front and centre of course! Lapping up every new step, loving every minute of it, meeting like minded people from all walks of life, who have become some of my best friends. In fact, we are a bunch of people who have become like a family to each other. We call ourselves the ‘Dance Fam’.

What do you think is the best part of the term for you?

We learn a new choreography to a different song every four weeks or so and at the end of the term we shoot a video. At first I was so nervous about dancing and acting in front of the camera, appearing on YouTube for posterity, but once we had done a few videos, the shoots became such an important part of what we do. We love showcasing our progress and it is so good to have something to look back on and remember all the fun times.

It makes me very proud, when I look back at our videos, to see how far we have come and how much we have improved. We all, each one of us, stepped out of our comfort zones, and are having the time of our lives.

“Every dance you make belongs to you. It is part of your collection. When you think of it like that, you’ll want to make your next routine the best you’ve ever made!” – Torron-Lee Dewar

What is your favourite dance/ video up to date?

One of my favourite dances and shoots is ‘The Mask’. The choreography was amazing, the videography was very cool, we all had such fun, but mostly I had the opportunity to dance alongside my daughter who starred as ‘The Mask’, disguised in green face paint. It was actually quite an emotional experience. I would have to say that this is a very special memory for me, and it would never have happened without the medium of dance.

Another favourite one is ‘Great Gatsby’ as it played to my love of all things 1920s, from the music to the costumes to learning proper Charleston steps.

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How does dancing in general make you feel?

I feel that dance is a hobby that I found, which has enhanced my life, opened up new opportunities, introduced me to some amazing friends. I am very lucky to have the health and fitness to be able to do it, and I hope to never stop. In fact, I have recently taken up Ballroom and Latin dance classes, and am absolutely loving it.

When you find ‘your thing’, be sure to pursue it, you never know where it might take you. I am so glad that my friend said to me that day, a few years ago: “have you ever tried Zumba®?”…I did and I have never looked back.

It is never too late, Dance is for everyone, irrespective of age or fitness. It’s never too late.

Love,

Dee x

Posted in Dance, Vicky's Tips

‘How to get the most out of your dance class’ – Vicky Andreanska

Posted on by vickyandreanska

“To touch, to move, to inspire. This is the true gift of dance.”- Aubrey Lynch

If you ask me, I think one of the main goals of every dance class should always be to inspire all students to develop the passion for the dance.
For some people dance is something completely natural. We often say some people have the natural rhythm in their blood or they can dance before they can walk, while others have to work a bit harder to learn just the basic steps.
In my opinion DANCE is a personal journey and everyone is at a different stage and it is very important that the teacher is sensitive to the needs of the students and is able to make changes and revisions to the choreography to ensure that each and every student is able to keep up with the classes and most importantly enjoy the process.
From the experience as a dance teacher of the adult dance group I feel like there is way more to the dance class than just learning steps and new dance moves – dance has the ability to inspire, heal and connect people on so many different levels. However in this blog I would like to focus and share my tips on how to get the most out of your dance class from the technical point of view.
Here are my main seven tips:
1. Relax & don’t overthink
The dance studio is where you should feel free and relaxed.
Lots of times students can get caught up in how they look or they can be too focused on getting the dance steps perfect which can have the opposite effect and actually hold you back.
No matter how driven you are, you should always remember that dance is fun.
2. Always ask the choreographer/ teacher for tips
Choreographers want to see you learn and grow from their classes. If you get a chance to speak with your teacher after the class or if you have any questions – ask them for tips.
Sometimes when the class is big, it can be hard for the teacher to see everyone. Some students like to be corrected and might ask the teacher to make sure to watch them and give them constructive criticism during the classes, while others might feel more comfortable to stay at the back of the class and just enjoy themselves without any corrections and ask for the tips afterwards in private. Whichever preference you have, it is always good to make sure your teacher knows about it.
3. Make mistakes
Dance class is the place to mess up and make mistakes.
If any students feel like they’re messing up during the class, we want them to feel comfortable enough in the class to ask for help, ask to be spotted or ask to be shown a modified version in order to progress and learn. The dance class is the place where students learn, so remember it is OK to make mistakes and it is always ok to ask questions if you are not entirely sure about anything.
“If you can dance & be free and not be embarrassed, you can rule the world.” – Amy Poehler
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3. Take responsibility
A good teacher/ choreographer is extremely important in the learning process of each student. But in saying that, if you really want to benefit from your time training or learning to dance – it is equally important for each student to take responsibility in this process.
Dance teachers teach, support, navigate and cheerlead your dance journey, but it’s your job to fuel and drive the car.
4. Watch and learn from other students
A group class experience is so special because you can always be inspired by people around you. The same step can look completely different performed by different students as everyone has their own unique style.
The benefit of the group class is that you can exchange energies with other students in the studio. You are all on the same boat, learning the same moves, experiencing this journey together. Take advantage of that time – watch and cheer them on and be watched and cheered on.
5. Pay attention and be present while learning in the dance class
It might sound silly to point this out but it is very important to be present while learning the new dance choreography. Always make sure you watch and listen to the teacher/ choreographer when learning the new steps as it makes the whole process much easier. Once you’re unsure of some steps, it can throw you off for the rest of the dance and cause frustration at the later stage.
6. Listen to the music
Always try and know the song you’re dancing to. You might not realise it but it’s extremely helpful. Knowing the song inside and out makes the learning process much easier. Once you know the song, you don’t have to think about ‘what step is next’ – you just automatically know and it takes that extra pressure off and you can focus just on the actual dancing and performing. So whenever you get a chance, turn up the volume and listen to the music. Whether you’re dancing to it or just driving the car, or cooking the dinner.
7. ENJOY YOURSELF!
“Dancing is being you at top volume.” – Wes Veldink
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Hope it helps you on your dance journey 🙂
You can let me know your thoughts or what do you find most helpful from your own experience in comments below.
Thank you,
Vicky x
Posted in Lifestyle, My story, Vicky's Tips

‘My story – Exercise and me’

Posted on by vickyandreanska
Most of you reading this post probably know me as this active, non stop moving, energetic girl, who loves exercise and working out. And you are right, I do love exercise and being active since forever. If I go by what my mom tells me then its since before I was even born.
But it certainly doesn’t mean it’s been like that all the time.
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I went through periods of my life when I felt differently about it. I went through the times when I struggled and exercised for wrong reasons. I didn’t enjoy it at all and viewed it as something I had to do, not something I wanted or enjoyed to do at the time.
Everyone is different and everyone deals with their feelings, emotions, whether they’re good or bad their own way. For so many people exercise is something that helps them to get through the hard times, to help them stay focused or away from anxiety or just to get out and for an hour and forget about whatever they are dealing with in their life.
For others, exercise is a part of the day, part of their lifestyle and they can’t even imagine a day going without it because it makes them feel good.
Everyone is different and everyone should always do what makes them feel good – there is so many ways of exercising and what makes one person feel good doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what you will enjoy too.
What is a really strange feeling for me is that only now (while I’m typing this and thinking about it), Im realising when I was a teenager and pretty much up until about 4 years ago, any activities and exercise I used to do in my free time I did simply for the fact that I enjoyed them. I used to workout and move because i wanted to, because i enjoyed it and it made me feel good. It was never a case that I felt I had to do it in order to look “perfect”.
And if you’re thinking “Yea, it’s because you didn’t have to worry about your weight as you were never overweight”, you are right. I wasn’t. But neither am I now.
So why did I start feeling differently about it then? Why did I start feeling I had to go to the gym so I can get in shape, get skinnier or more toned? Why was I happy in my body before and not so much now? When did it change?
When I was pregnant I put on a lot of weight (26kg to be exact, which is a lot) and I didn’t really mind, I was pregnant so I felt ok about it. Then I had my beautiful little boy and I couldn’t be any happier. It didn’t really bother me that I wasn’t straight back in the shape, I genuinely didn’t care because I was enjoying the mommy-hood and didn’t think much about it. I have lost quite a lot of weight but I didn’t go straight back to what I used to be. And I couldn’t help but started to feel this weird pressure which is quite hard to explain. I felt like because of my fitness background, people where almost expecting me to get straight into shape, get ‘my body’ back straight away.
I could have been completely wrong but I subconsciously felt this pressure and only one small comment like “When are you gonna start working out?” or that one ‘look’ could easily make me feel like it’s a hint. So after a few weeks I have decided it was time to get back to the gym and work on my body.
Did I enjoy it? NO. Why didn’t I enjoy it like I used to?
To be honest with you, I was quite happy in my post-baby body. I wasn’t unhealthy, I was still active – walking hours and hours a day with Nico in the buggy, eating healthy food and I was happy. But with those little hints I was getting here and there (which I now believe I sometimes made in my own head myself) and the expectations I felt like I had to meet, even though I didn’t feel like hitting the gym at the time, I decided to just do it. I worked out because I thought people didn’t like the way my body looked and I started to believe it. I stopped liking my body and i was insecure about it. And I stopped enjoying the gym workout. In fact every time I went was a torture.
After a few months I was choreographing and organising a Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser which took all my free time, so I didn’t get a chance to go to the gym.
That time I have finally decided to stop. Stop chasing this “perfect” body. I was just exhausted and tired of it – emotionally and physically too.
I decided I’m going to enjoy this experience of ‘Strictly’. I was having a great time choreographing, dancing and socialising, while I was eating good food and living a healthy lifestyle. I stopped focusing on the results, stopped stressing about it and simply
enjoyed the process.
And guess what happened?
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By the end of this experience I felt amazing. ‘Strictly’ helped me to forget about the pressure and just enjoy what I like to do. It didn’t just help my body but also my mind.
And to be honest I think I was possibly in the best shape I’ve ever been (pic with Nico).
When I stopped viewing the exercise as this horrible thing I had to do in order to get back into shape and started seeing it as a positive part of my lifestyle to move my body and stay healthy and even away from my anxiety, it all changed.
It was probably the best I’ve felt about myself (confidence-wise) since college.
Blake Lively once said: “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence”.
And it is so true. There is nothing more attractive then confidence. It doesn’t really matter if you’re in a perfect shape really, once you feel good about yourself it shines through you.
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When you’ll look back at your life, will you wish you had a stricter diet or exercise regime or that you lived your life more? I’m sure nobody is going to say the first option.
But I know it’s so hard to think that way at times as today’s world is constantly promoting something else. And I know how easy it is to feel pressured these days (thanks to social media, photoshop, expectations, comparing and society in general).
I know it because up until few months ago I still used to catch myself wishing my body would look different – better. Telling myself i need to work harder to get to whatever image I created in my head for myself.
But why?
The difference between my body before i was pregnant (when i was perfectly confident and happy with my body) and now isn’t that big, at times when I’m being good and I workout as much as I’d like to, it’s literally minimal if any, so why do I care much more about it now? I’m older, surely i should be more confident knowing my body haven’t really changed? But somehow its the other way.
Somehow i feel judged, compared and not necessarily by others, sometimes by me.
Why do i do it to myself?
I’m not gonna give you the answer to this because i’m not entirely sure why and I’m not the expert, but i’m finally aware of how silly it is and for the past few months I’m trying to look at it differently.
I don’t want to sound preachy about self confidence and self love, as I’m definitely not 100% there yet, but I think I’m definitely getting closer to where I want to be. I feel quite confident and secure and even though at times I feel ‘out of shape’ – because life happens and sometimes I’m too busy, or too lazy, or caught up in a great tv series which is ok too, I also know I will always get back to it.
Exercise should be a part of everyone’s life cause it’s extremely important for not just your physical but also mental health. A lot of times for me personally working out helps me to stay away from anxiety and it also makes me feel good about myself.
I just think we shouldn’t spend hours running on treadmill if we don’t enjoy it, or count calories if it makes us stressed, but we should try doing workouts we truly enjoy and that make us feel good. These days the options are endless.
I know a few months ago I wouldn’t have shared these pictures publicly, as Im clearly not in the ‘best’ shape and you can see my rolls (it’s all about the angle), but I’m ok with it. I guess I’ve slowly learned I don’t always need to have a six-pack to like my body and because the last few months were a bit stressful, I didn’t get to workout as much as I would like to or as I should. But it’s ok. I’m just gonna ‘roll with it’ 🙂
I’m now finally starting to have more time for myself and I can’t wait to get back to the gym and dance more. And I’m also very excited about the winter season as I always go snowboarding, which for me is always super fun. I love to just grab the gear and hit the mountain and enjoy it to the fullest. And the bonus is – it’s also a full body workout.
So what is the moral of this story?
Eat good food, live healthy lifestyle and move for pleasure, not as a chore.
Find a workout that makes you feel good (whether it is gym workout, jogging, dancing, crossfit, boxing, yoga or walking your dog), a workout that you enjoy because only that way you will stick to it. Try and don’t beat yourself, it always takes time to see changes, just be persistent and patient.
And most importantly –
WORKOUT BECAUSE YOU LOVE YOUR BODY AND NOT BECAUSE YOU HATE IT ❤️
“Beauty has so many forms, and I think the most beautiful thing is confidence and loving yourself”. – Kiesza
Hope it helps anyone who do struggle xxx
Vicky x