Tips for Better Jumps

Jumping tips for beginners! Did you know, you already have all the tools you need to get stronger jumps! and it starts at the barre!
About Me:
Hi, my name is Victoria! I’m a ballet dancer and teacher trained in the Vaganova method. I make instructional videos without sugar-coating the gritty details. I danced professionally as a freelancer, and in a contemporary company for several years in NYC. Due to the pandemic, I now reside in rural Pennsylvania. I'm a little salty because I struggle with chronic illnesses & invisible disabilities, but I try to keep it real and raise awareness...
FAQs:
Are you actually Russian?:
Yes, I’m technically a tiny bit Russian.
We always thought my mother was 100% Italian. But when she took the ancestry test, we learned she’s actually a bit Middle Eastern and Circassian (Southern Russia) as well!
Did you train in Russia?:
No, I did not attend ballet school in Russia.
But all of my instructors have direct lineage to the Vaganova Academy. I received a majority of my training from Ballerina Irina Lebedeva, as well as other former principal dancers from the Mariinsky Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.
What ballet academy did you attend?:
I never attended a formal ballet academy. All of my training is a culmination of public dance studios and open adult ballet classes that would run 2-3 days a week- with the occasional summer intensive. This is why I’m only about 85% competent in my execution and lessons. I just do the best with what i've got- The average American dancer might not notice this, but the Russian dancers definitely do!
Growing up near NYC, I took advantage of the most prestigious schools and teachers in the area, including; Gelsey Kirkland, Simon Kazantsev, Yaroslav Fadeyev, Katherine Healy, Leslie Browne, Lupe Serrano, and collegiate programs at American Ballet Theatre.
I did visit St. Petersburg and Moscow after I graduated college in 2012. I had the absolute honor of visiting the Vaganova Academy and observing some classes. I also took company class with Yacobson Ballet.
Where do you work as a professional?:
Since I got such a late start in my training, (and went to college right after high school) I didn’t join a company until I was in my late 20s. Until then, I was mostly teaching and freelancing. I did Nutcracker gigs, occasional guest appearances for studio productions, and entertainment gigs for high end parties. In 2019 I joined a contemporary ballet company in NYC. I left in 2021 when I moved to Pennsylvania. Now I teach in multiple studios in PA, but I'm trying to start my own ballet company.
What’s the story with your company?:
I’m the founder of Indigo Ballet, a collaborative, dancer-run company with no hierarchy. Currently, I’m working on building a repertoire of virtual performances (music videos) to show people what we have to offer. We will be performing for a live audience in Spring/Summer of 2024!
If you wish to donate towards this endeavor, funds will go directly to the dancers of Indigo Ballet. You can do so at- gofund.me/fe171a40
Why do you talk about your chronic illnesses?:
Firstly, this is just the platform where I have the most outreach. I am passionate about raising awareness about hidden illnesses, also called “invisible diseases.” I feel these illnesses are especially relevant to the average ballet dancer since; The field is dominated by AFABs that frequently gravitate towards dance because of natural flexibility. This correlates to hyper mobility spectrum disorders and connective tissue disorders which are rarely diagnosed, and can lead to serious problems later. AFABs also have higher rates of autoimmune disorders and are most likely to have our pain dismissed, if we are not already hiding it for fear of being seen as unreliable or weak.
The ‘teacher’ in me wants to educate any chance I get. If my shared experiences can help a dancer get a diagnosis, early treatment and a longer, healthier career; why wouldn’t I talk about it?

[@SaltySugarPlum]

THANK YOU everyone for your feed back! i'm sorry the audio wasn't so great on this one! i'm glad you all find this fun and entertaining. i want everyone to be interested and excited to be learning! i don't think EVERYTHING about ballet has to be super serious ;P we can be BOTH professional AND laugh at ourselves

[@alycross3749]

“The bar is not made just to torture you” 🤣 thank you so much for this video!!!!

[@erinzook9891]

This is such a wonderful explanation. All of your videos are incredibly instructive and helpful. As an adult beginner, you just have such a great way of breaking things down and helping them make sense in my mind. Thank you.

[@Mr.Cockney]

I am a karate student. I landed on ballet videos just for fun and I am getting progressively amazed about how useful are the ballet exercises. Sometimes I think that the use of the barre would be profitable for achieving balance and good forms for karate. Thanks for your videos! In this one I have learnt a lot about the ballet dynamics of jumping.

[@SaltySugarPlum]

I agree that ballet can be excellent cross training for martial arts! I took tae kwon do for a year and I progressed much faster than the other beginner students because ballet had given me the balance, flexibility, strength and control! I get so excited when I see other professions benefit from a little bit of ballet training! thank you! enjoy 💕

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Oh how cool that you came here! I am a ballet 🩰 fanatic, but my fiancé is a Krav Maga instructor. Ballet is so good for martial arts, because its a great foundation for coordination and muscle memory. I picked up some Krav Maga really quick, because these moves are like a ballet center step variation

[@wmherndon]

You make this SO Fun .. thank you!

[@amirasafwat7101]

There is a reason why i love u! I thought this video will take long , thank you so much , without you i wouldn't get better .

[@melindahuntley9873]

love your breakdown so inspiring

[@subtedy]

Your videos are so incredibly helpful! Thank you! XO

[@miss1metalhead]

Thank you so much for this videos, I really like your way of explain, it's very helpful and funny 💜

[@stellacardozo8163]

Excellent 👍! Thanks

[@Abstract_flow]

Amazing jump video!!! Loved it,so informative💖💖💖

[@justme9818]

Brilliant description of how very relevant barre exercises are to actual dancing. Every ballet student should have a copy of this video!!!

[@MikaCigic]

Great video!! Thank you so much. Your videos are awesome, entertaining and super informative :)

[@judithmcminn863]

Really good explanations, loved that. Xx

[@clarajeong9799]

WOW This video is amazing. I always blamed my weight so never improved. but after watching this, i feel real JUMPING in the air! thx:)

[@saravanderhoek4024]

Wonderful! Really good information.

[@shengweiyou1792]

Super inspiring and helpful! Thanks for your instruction!

[@mrgamegirl2011]

Thank you for this! Perfect Timing! I have class tonight and seeing you break down the jump helps. Keep up the great work

[@mat2man]

THANKS! This is just what I worked on last night at class. Your description and demo helps SO MUCH. Best Always. M

[@winniecantonese]

Love u much....clearly instructed...a good teacher. Thx

[@yushin.babyballerina]

Thanks a lot. This is really useful for an adult ballet beginner like me 💓 >////

[@merindadiesel3370]

Thank you!!!

[@seventycandance285]

I appreciate for explaining this in. A different way cause as a kid doing ballet how they explaining couldn’t really comprehend

[@marisoldominguez2808]

This helped me so much with my firebird thank you 💓👏 I constantly stuck my butt out

[@glingo2glingo988]

you teach really good,those humoristic examples are great to understand why is needed to be "like this'' or ''like that'' :)

[@littlefuckingPanda]

huh, this was very insightful. I love the barre but I hate jumps, maybe it really is just in my head lol

[@mahsimajalili2645]

you help me much thank you

[@gayanruppegoda6880]

Amazing video thnx

[@TheScou.t]

thank you ma'am

[@hatakashi1900]

This video is freaking useful, I have not been able to jump properly...all because of my lazy plie~~

[@manasviegaikwad9752]

I was going to cry because I was finding a better teacher who can help me but I found the best teacher and am rea a beginner so these all videos are very helpful for me maam really very very thank you you're like an heaven in my life.... Please let me know if you can teach me video classes....Love from India 🇮🇳❤❤❤(^_^)

[@alycross3749]

Are you trying to be this funny! Because I can tell you’re lecturing me and the info is SO USEFUL but I’m having so much fun it just doesn’t feel right 🤣 just kidding! I had been struggling with jumps so yay for this video!

[@SaltySugarPlum]

i mean, i want my videos to be at least a little entertaining so that people stay interested, or feel more excited about learning. i don't think my analogies are THAT funny, but i know i can be a little weird at times. as long as it helps people remember :)

[@alycross3749]

Salty Sugar Plum the jumping at the begging, the analogies with the jumping stick 😆 not weird at all! Just plain funny! PLUS informative, this information is engraved in my mind thanks to you!

[@Anna-vz5jl]

It’s so hard for me ... it’s my second Adult Ballet Beginner .. class .. we did those today .. I struggled so much I just wanted to cry .. lol . I can’t get it the flow . I’m not jumping up high ...plus I have a bit of arthritis in my kneee . Do u have a beginner easy bar workout . Your videos are great 👍🏻

[@K0nt4kt]

My teacher was talking about sandwiches today too lol I had one waiting for me in the car