WHAT IS PHYSIE?
Thanks for asking!
Physie and dance (or physical culture) is a uniquely Australian style of dance that incorporates many different genres of dance into professionally choreographed routines. Our syllabus is based on correct dance technique with correct skill progressions taught at each stage to deliver a safe and engaging dance class for our members.
The APDA syllabus has a strong focus on dance technique across many styles of dance and the variety in the routines means that the students never get bored. In each class we will teach routines based on ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and pilates / strength based movement. Physie is the variety dancesport with dancers being able to experience different genres, enabling them to develop into well rounded dancers.
One of the best bits about physie is that we don't require a special uniform, hairstyle or shoes for class. We encourage girls to wear a leotard or active wear and we dance in bare feet. For competition, you only need one leotard keeping it economical for families.
What's involed in a Physie class?
A class of every age starts with a warm up to get the blood pumping, muscles awake and ready.
In the 5-12 years age groups classes focus on learning the APDA syllabus which consists of seven routines, all of different genres of dance, all the while building the girls confidence in moving to the music and employing correct dance technique.
For our younger members, we focus on getting them moving and listening to the beat of the music, while developing their gross and fine motor skills.
Our senior (teen) classes learn fewer routines, with higher intensity and more advanced dance technique.
Learning the APDA syllabus requires development of good fitness, strength and control, we have lots of techniques to help all students enhance their skills. Stretching to develop and increase basic flexibility is also a focus.
Ladies Classes
Our ladies classes cater for everyone from absolute beginners to the experienced physie girl. We have a great group of women of all ages in each class, some who have never danced in their life, some who have not done physie in over 40 years and some who just come along for the fitness and social side of physie.
We run a dedicated beginner / novice ladies class that is tailored to the fitness level and experience of the participants so if you have two left feet, don't let that put you off! You will be amazed at what you can achieve in one year of physie.
Many ladies who have joined our classes are amazed at the work out they get. Physie is great cardio exercise and in addition, just getting the physie posture correct is fantastic for core strength.
In addition to the exercise benefits of joining our ladies class, we also are a social bunch and organise dinners and nights out during the year. And for those keen ladies, there is always the opportunity for a weekend away from the kids and family with the ladies for teams competitions!
Most importantly, NO LEOTARDS are required for class! Just come along in something that is comfortable and that you can move in.
Competitions
Physie is unique in the way that it offers both individual and team based competitions so you receive the benefits of both styles of competitions all in the one dance sport. While competitions are not compulsory we encourage all members from 5 years to ladies to give it a go. You would be amazed by how much confidence girls and ladies gain from entering competitions.
Our focus as a club for competitions is to teach our dancers how to set themselves a SMART goal that focuses on their skills and abilities, not the skills and abilities of others. For our younger members, this might be as simple as remembering to get their heels together or marching on their left foot. Teaching them to focus on their own achievements, however small, contributes to our dancers developing a life long involvement in physie and dance.
Individual competitions are a fantastic way to help your child set a goal for them to work towards and build their confidence through performing in front of an audience. The joy on a dancers face when they come off the competition dance floor proud of what they achieved is priceless and the buzz of meeting new Physie friends , wearing a sparkly leotard and performing for Mum, Dad and family is something that becomes addictive for girls and ladies of all ages.
The teams competitions are a fantastic introduction to Physie for girls and women of all ages. The teams consists of 8 girls and 6 ladies of the same age and are a lot of fun. We enter teams in the offical APDA competitions ever year. Teams is one of the highlights of the year as we make it a special event for all girls and ladies representing the club.
Competitions are without a doubt the highlight of the Physie year and we encourage every member to give it a go. We don't have an end of year concert with costumes etc, we have a presentation event where the girls and ladies perform their syllabus to the audience and learn an extra dance or two to perform in a big group. Our perpetual trophies are award at this event and all girls who have completed the year receive their recognition trophy.