The Blog to Train

Although the Irish dance world isn't necessarily big, it certainly is competitive. Sure, there are competitor Irish dancers and performance Irish dancers but even the performance dancers need to train like competitive ones! It is all about strong physique to get to where you want to go as an Irish dancer. This goes for all Irish dancers, especially if you're a performance dancer, or even a competitive one, who wants to dance in Riverdance.

I came across a blog called Target Training and it has pointing exercises, cool down routines, a world championship training guide, nutrition, guides to cope with competition nerves, and guides to stay fit over the holidays, just to name a few features. If you're an Irish dancer who needs some guidance,  CLICK HERE TO TRAIN!





You can find loads of tips and training exercises there to help you get started. The aim of the training blog is to target, train, and transform. Between the 2019 World Championship Training Guide and a nutrition guide, this blog has everything any kind of Irish dancer could want. The founder and coach, Ellen G. Waller, is more than qualified to help young dancers achieve their dreams with tips ad exercises!

"Long time competitive and professional Irish dancer and instructor, Ellen G. Waller, has dedicated her life to Irish dance.  Her talent as a dancer has lead her to perform for thousands across the world and her passion as an Irish dance instructor has influenced innumerable young dancers."

Dancers like Ellen know the struggles of not knowing where to start or what is best for your body. Irish dancers' have very strict physiques required for dancing and Ellen is here to help you train... the right way!

Reel Around the Sun

River dance's opening number Reel Around the Sun is one of the most iconic dance numbers in Irish dance. The way the dancers start separated around the stage as individuals and melt together as one unit in their formations is inspiring. The dramatic beginning with the dancers slowly becoming one, was an influential technique that was used in future Irish dance numbers. Watch as Irish dance history is made in the opening number of Riverdance. 

This video in 1996 led to many present developments of Irish dance numbers where formations are the main part of the piece. The majority of Irish dancers are competitors while Riverdance shows the performance side of Irish dance where telling a story prioritizes competition. This is where the art of Irish dance is prevalent.

Lord of the Dance

Michael Flatley is the Lord of the Dance. This picture was taken in 2016 when he created his new show Dangerous Games.  The finale is pictured below.

Flatley started off starring in Riverdance and gained his fame through his famous trebles where his feet moved so fast you could barely see them. When he created his own show, "Lord of the Dance" it took off and became one of the most popular dance tours in the world. In his recent years, Flately created Dangerous Games as his retirement show which is a more in depth version of the original Lord of the Dance with storylines.

The 5 Positions You Need to Know to be an Irish Dancer!

Every young Irish dancer learns the five positions to begin every dance. As you get older and mature as a dancer you get to skip a few of these but for now I am focusing on the beginners.

The 5 Positions

As you follow this list, bear in mind this is meant to follow an 8-count to the music. 

1. Begin counting to four and ON four, tap your feet with both feet together and facing forward
2. On five, keep your heels together but spread the top of your feet creating a V 
3. On six, keep your left foot where it is but move your right foot forward so that your right heel is touching your left toe. Don't forget to keep your feet turned out!
4. On seven, keep your left foot where it is but point your right foot in front of you while maintaining a turned out foot
5. On eight, the final count before dancing, pull your right foot back from the point and with both feet turned out and with the right foot slightly in front of the left, stand on your toes

Ending with both feet on your toes allows for maximum movement to begin any step. Remember you begin these five positions when you count to four!

Confusing? Teaching a young child? No worries! Here is how I taught three year olds the beginning positions. 

For Young Beginners

In my experience, this phrasing of words seemed to work really well for my young beginners. In future blog posts I'll dedicate more time to fun phrases I used as the children got older and were able to learn more complicated moves. 

1. Count to four! "One, two, three, TAP!"
2. Now turn your feet out and make your heels kiss each other! Look down, do you see a "V" shape?
3. Now cross! Make your left heel kiss your right toe
4. Now we are Irish ballerinas, point that toe!
5. Now stand on your tippy toes its time to dance!

Good luck everyone! Happy Dancing!

The Celtic Goodbye

The Parting Glass

The Irish ballad about death is one of the most beautiful pieces of Celtic music. Covered by multiple artists (Ed Sheeran for example) and sang to two different melodies, the ballad can be a tune of sorrow or an upbeat melody perfect for Irish dancing to. 

A Ballad of Death

"So fill to me the parting glass,

Goodnight and joy be to you all"

These words resonate deeply as the Celtic voices harmonize and the flute flutters in the background. It is a truly beautiful song. 

The Honorable Dance

I danced to an upbeat pride-filled version of The Parting Glass three years ago as a finale in my last dance show. It was an experience like no other. 

I stepped out on stage for our usual finale dance number and danced through the motions I knew so well as the fiddles carried my feet to the fast paced melody. We bowed with our right foot pointed as we always did but this time something felt different. 

The seniors were in the front row with tears in our eyes as we knew this was the end of an era and we were parting with each other before heading off to college. Then... something changed. A man stepped out on stage with a guitar in his hand and he was joined by a fiddler and a flutist. He sang a cappella into the microphone the opening lines of The Parting Glass and my heart sank. 

"Of all the money that 'er I've had

I spent it in good company..."

I knew these words too well as I had choreographed and taught a whole dance number to this song and as a final goodbye, my dance coach surprised me with the honor of having everyone dance to my masterpiece. Right on cue, 20 dancers stomped their hard shoes as they followed their feet across the stage. I joined them and in unison we danced, filling our own parting glasses. 

Irish Dance in a Glance

Not Irish? Who cares! It was never just about being Irish.

Welcome to my blog! Who am I? I am just an Irish dancer. This blog aims to capture the essence of the Irish heritage and culture while twisting it into other people's parallel experiences. 

Between the music, the dance, the homeland, and the influence, this blog will highlight the importance of devotion in everyday life.