I used to own Sony camcorders, which cost over $900 not too many years ago. Today, I use a cheap (around $100) Kodak Camcorder, which measures about 2.5" x 4.5" x .75" and records1080 HD on SDRAM cards. I chose this particular "flip" camcorder for its 720 at 60 frames/second mode, which is necessary for clear frame-by-frame analysis of rapid movements (such as jetes).
A significant drawback is the limited 3X optical zoom, which does not support wide-angle views. This is very constraining when attempting to record group pieces in a classroom. The 5MB photo mode is nothing to brag about either. However, the video quality in 1080 HD mode can be breathtaking in good lighting, and rival far more expensive camcorders.
One technique I use to show progress, or to combine multiple captures for a session, is to overlay images by cropping, cutting and pasting in transparent mode. This can be done even in MS Paint.
Next time, I will discuss some of the considerations in improving certain types of stretches, such as splits, straddles, developes, and arabesques.
Hi! The girls have such amazing flexibility! Is the stretch gym still available for order? I really want one to help improve my flexibility xD By the way, what strengthening exercises do the girls do to improve their developpes?
ReplyDeleteHi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteThe first post ("Overview") of our blog explains the situation with the stretch gym: http://flexibilitycircuittraining.blogspot.com/2011/03/introduction-and-overview.html
Regarding developpes:
1. Before performing developes, be sure to stretch your legs out. We practice developpes at the end of our stretch sessions.
2. Having a good turnout helps. Focus on straddles and deep plies.
3. We discourage the girls from "gripping" their quads (which prevents the leg from going higher), and ask them to use the hip flexors and inner thigh muscles above the quads;
4. We try to get them to raise the bent leg up as high as possible (ideally touching your side) before extending;
5. We apply resistive strengthening of the supporting muscles by gently applying resistance while they lift their leg, and also the opposite (keeping their leg in an extended position while they push down). We will have a blog post soon about resistive stretching and strengthening.
Hope this helps!
Mark & Karen