Ms. Poppy Chiffon — the doyenne of dance, the baroness of ballroom etiquette, the sultana of Southern hospitality — is pleased to answer your dance-related questions. Here are a few queries that Poppy deigned to extract from her mailbag this week. If you have a question that you would like Poppy Chiffon to address, please e-mail her at askpoppy@dancestationusa.com. Ms. Chiffon regrets that she cannot respond individually to questions.
Dear Poppy,
My lower back gets so tired after dancing for awhile. I must be doing something wrong. Can you help me?
Aching Back
Dear Aching Back,
You need to work on your posture, Honey. Try this little exercise I pulled out of my hope chest. Give yourself a great big hug and hold it. Take a deep breath and fill up your ribcage area equally. It may feel like you are in a straight jacket. Retain this position as you release your hug and breathe out. You can do this exercise sitting or standing. Pay attention to your lower back! It is a barometer of your posture.
Dear Poppy,
My dance teacher says that I need to strengthen my weak ankles. Do you have any secret exercises to share from your “technique hope chest” that can help me?
Weakling
Dear Weakling,
Oh, all right Honey, I will give you a “Southern” secret from my hope chest shared by all debutantes. Purchase some glass marbles. Throw a few on the floor (carpet preferably) and try to pick them up and put them in a glass bowl with a high wide rim. I know it is no easy task; however, Sweetie, you will have the most gorgeous arches in your feet and the strongest ankles around.
