“It takes an athlete to dance and an artist to be a dancer.” -Shanna LaFleur
Dance is one of the most challenging and rewarding sports out there. Baseball, soccer, football, wrestling, swimming… these all require stamina and strength.
Dance, however, takes athleticism to a whole new level by adding the elements of self-expression and grace. This ability to perform a demanding physical sport while simultaneously creating art comes from a strong mind and body.
The Importance of Core Strength and Flexibility
It’s vital that dancers have strong core muscles for balance, leg muscles for leaping, and upper body strength for tying all movements together seamlessly.
In the down time before the upcoming dance season, there are lots of ways to cross train that will assist with both dance and sports! We know many of our dancers are involved in both. These forms of training can keep your dancer strong and ready for the season ahead:
1. Yoga: More Than Just Stretching
Yoga is much more than just stretching. Poses in yoga are designed to target all major muscle groups. Holding a yoga pose builds strength and flexibility at the same time. There are many different types of yoga, but don’t feel overwhelmed if you’re a newbie. Here’s an online resource to get started: Yoga with Adriene
2. Pilates: Strengthening from the Inside Out
Pilates combines isometric movements and stretching to target small and large muscle groups. Joseph Pilates was a physical trainer and inventor who created the Pilates method to help dancers recover from injuries.
Now, it has blossomed into a widely practiced fitness regimen used by everyone from professional dancers to ordinary people in order to build strength and lean muscles. Many channels on YouTube offer Pilates exercise routines.
Here is just one to get you started. Julianne Hough, renowned professional ballroom dancer, helps teach this one! Pilates with Julianne Hough
Cross-Training: A Boost for All Athletes
No matter what their background is, any athlete can benefit from cross training. A plank in Pilates will help you pitch farther in baseball or softball. Downward dog pose in yoga will deeply stretch your calves and hamstrings for dance, soccer, or track.
If you need more ideas on how to stay strong and fit now and through the dance season, we are always here to help. Just ask.
