Competition isn’t everything but it’s a big part of physie. Girls work hard all year, not just to learn their dance routines, but to perfect them for competitions in Term 4.
So what does “competition” really mean? To compete is to come up against your rivals to win a prize. But a competition is more than that. It’s a test of a skill or ability. In other words, when we compete, we test ourselves.
When physie girls train, both as individuals and in teams, they are preparing themselves to perform in front of an audience, where success and failure are public. This is self-esteem building at its best.
For the girls to do their routines and know they’ve done the best they can, win or lose, they have achieved something that money can’t buy: a sense of self-worth and the confidence that comes from that. The audience claps either way. Their teacher is proud of them for giving it their all. And they move on to the next year and all that it brings in terms of physical development, personal growth, skill-building, teamwork and most importantly… friendship.
Performing Art Gallery
Photography by Heidi Boardman
PHYSIE HACKS!
Here is a weekly series to help you perfect some key Physie positions. Watch the video to see
TIP OF THE WEEK
UPWARD STRETCH Arms stretched upwards, shoulder width apart Palms in Keep your shoulders pressed down Arms should be
Why do we love to dance?
Physie is often described as people's "happy place" and is a time to forget everything else that is
Heidi Boardman Performing Art Gallery
Photography: Heidi Boardman