By Ansley Vanover

Speed, power, concentration, endurance, balance, discipline, physical demand. Believe it or not, these are all characteristics of not only sports but dance as well.  When asked if dance is a sport, many dancers would agree that yes, dancing is a sport (if not beyond one). Others may reply that no, dancing is an art. I am here to argue that dance is, indeed, a sport. In fact, dancing goes far beyond athleticism.

I have been a dancer since age two. Around the age of five, I began picking up tennis, baseball, soccer, and swimming. Between all of my sports and being the younger sister of a dedicated baseball player, I have been around sports my whole life. It was not until age 9 when dance became my passion, and I dropped most sports so I could devote all of my time towards dancing. For me, dance was not just a hobby or a fun thing to do during the week. I spent about eight hours a week at the studio. When I got older, I did competition team, which involved practices during the week and competitions on the weekend. It was at that point when I realized dance is very similar to the sports I had participated in and been around all my life.

Dancers are athletes in a special way. Serious dancers must watch their nutrition, stay fit, follow certain routines, and practice, practice, practice. We are goal oriented; just like athletes, we want to perform at our top level. When we perform, we want it perfect. We are hard on ourselves because we know they can always do better. On dance teams, we rely on each other and must work as a team to be successful. While dancers and athletes share all of these things in common, dancers take it a step further: we must look glamorous while doing it.

In the studio, however, things are not so glamorous; in fact, there is a lot of sweat and pain involved.  Just as athletes must be open to criticism from their teammates and coach, dancers are expected to listen to criticism and apply it to their dancing. Demands such as “Point your toes! Straighten your legs! Elongate your neck! Round your elbows! Pull your stomach in! Relax your face! Look like you’re having FUN!” are common. While having to perfect technique, such as pointing toes, and remember multiple dance routines (sometimes of different styles), dancers must also perform with their face: smile, look sad, look angry, etc. Since practice makes perfect, dancers must practice the technique, steps, and personality at all times so that once it’s time to perform or compete, they are ready to go.

At performances and competitions, dancers have a disadvantage to athletes. During games, athletes can hear their coach scream plays and corrections from the sidelines, take time-outs, be swapped out for a different player, and most importantly, not worry about how they look while doing it. Dancers, however, do not have it as easy. Once they are out on stage, they must hope that all of their practices pay off at that very moment. Dance instructors cannot call out in the middle of the dance, “Fix your lines!” No one can be swapped out for another dancer in the middle of the piece. There are no time-outs. The team must make the dance look effortless while praying that their costume straps do not break and that their peripheral vision is enough to stay in sync and in line. Dance is definitely not as easy as it looks.

Out of 60 sports, researchers have concluded that the “toughest sport” is ballet! In hopes to improve flexibility and grace, famous athletes such as Lynn Swann (Pittsburgh Steelers in the 70’s and 80’s) and Herschel Walker (Dallas Cowboys running back) have practiced ballet and yoga regularly. “Dancing with the Stars” TV show has featured former wide receiver Jerry Rice, former running back Emmett Smith, boxing champion Laila Ali, and Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, to name a few.  At first, they struggled with the steps and performance aspect, but they found their athleticism to be a major help in dancing since dancers must be physically fit. Emmett Smith, who won “Dancing with the Stars” season 3, inspired many men to pick up dancing after seeing someone as manly as Emmett enjoy and succeed in dance.

Dance and sports share many qualities. So why isn’t dance considered a sport? At Ponte Vedra High School, the dance team was denied a Varsity letter and funding from the Booster Club because the state of Florida refuses to call it a sport. Audiences may think dance looks easy, which it should- that is part of a dancer’s job. However, dancers go through all the pain and practice that most athletes go through (52% of dancers suffer a chronic injury by age 18).

In addition to all of a dancer’s hard work and physical strain, they must go beyond athleticism and remember to express themselves, and that is where the art aspect comes in. So the question remains, is dance a sport or an art? I guess it depends on whom you ask.

Jammin’ with Jenny –

My Workout Playlist!

Music is my key to a successful workout! I have pulled into the gym parking lot only to turn around and drive back home when I realize I have forgotten my iPod. I have left group fitness classes early when the playlist seems more suited for a wedding or “YMCA” is the instructor favorite! Without a steady hip hop beat, an interesting remix of my favorite 80’s tunes or a heart pounding country/rock montage, I just can’t get motivated. For those of you that share this similar philosophy, I have compiled a list of my all time favorite workout songs, taken straight off my “Fun Girl Music” and “Workout 6″ playlists!  These are the songs that get me going and keep me motivated through my entire workout! I start off with more hip hop and switch to rock mid-way through! Download and enjoy!

1. “Shake It” by Metro Station: Great warm up song that I can’t help but want to dance to while I’m doing my walking lunges! Also, the lead singer is Miley Cyrus’ brother which is intriguing to me!

1. “In the Ay-er” by  Flo Rida: I love the exaggeration of the word “air” and the creative ways he rhymes to it!

1. “Beware of the Dog” by Jamelia: Mixed in with an old Depeche Mode Song, this is the mantra for every girl every played by a guy! Song of strength!

1. “Bottoms Up” by  Keke Palmer: This is the song that keeps me going when I want to jump off the treadmill. Great dance beat and I love to sing out, “I’m bossy” or “SWAGGER” when she breaks it down!

1. “Easy” by Paula DeAnda and Lil Wayne – This is the perfect girly jam with my favorite rapper, Weezy, mixed in. Half dance/pop song and half gangsta – gotta love it!

1. “Low” by Flo Rida – I know this song is played out but how can you not want to get low when you hear the “apple bottom jeans” lyric.

1. “Get Like Me (Stuntin’ is a Habit) – David Banner featuring Chris Brown – I don’t know what it is about this song…maybe the “Chevy with the butterfly doors” combined with Chris Brown’s smooth R&B sound…makes me want to “lean wit it.”

1. “Lollipop” remix by Lil Wayne featuring Kanye West – Don’t get this confused with the radio version…this one has a better beat and is much more creative lyrically with “..tell the girl like Doritos, its nach-o cheese.”

1. “Cyclone” by Baby Bash and T-Pain – This is more what I lift weights to but is great for any girl who likes to dance!

1. “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera – This is such a great song for any girl who is going though a rough time in her life. I know that I hit the punching bag a bit harder when I hear this song!

1. “Get Up” by Ciara – I can’t help but dance when I hear the theme song from my favorite movie Step-Up. Great for walking lunges!

1. “City 2 City” by Kottonmouth Kings – This is the transition song from hip hop to rock since it’s a good mix of both! It re-energizes me midway through my workout!

1. “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed - I don’t even think I’ve listen to this entire song..I simply listen to it for the intro and the “Oh wha ah ah ah.”

1. “Fuel” by Metallica – If this doesn’t increase your heart rate, nothing will!

1. “The Diary of Jane” and “So Cold” by Breaking Benjamin – Two songs from a band that keep me going when I want to do 2 sets instead of 3!

1. “Damn Regret” and “Face Down” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Another “two-fer” special off my playlist…maybe its because the first year I was a teacher, these guys went to my school or maybe because they are the “hometown heroes” in the city I live…whatever it is, these songs are deeply personal to me and they give me strength!

1. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC - This song brings back great memories of cheering for high school basketball!

1. “Eight Second Ride” by Jake Owen – This is a country song but makes me feel like a tough chick!

1. “Kerosene and Lead” by Miranda Lambert - Another country song but so great!

1. “Fake It” by Seether – Learned a great dance to this song in Dance Trance. Starting to cool it down a bit now….

1. “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell – No one can resist the little “bah bah” beat in this song!

1. “She Bop” by Cyndi Lauper – Yes I picked this song because it’s off one of my favorite movies, The Goonies.