Taking care of the dancing body can take on many forms. Even when it may be warm outside it is important to look after your tools and ensure you are providing it with the best means to perform to its highest standard.
Before you start dancing, you must warm up thoroughly. Make sure you heat the body and its muscles from the inside out – this is even harder in colder weather as your starting body temperature is lower. To warm up sufficiently, the heart rate must increase and you may even break a sweat! The body should feel freer and looser; however it is important not to stretch to your full capacity until you are properly warm, even if dynamic stretches make up part of your warm up. Begin with small movements and work your way through the entire body to make sure it is ready.
If you are looking ahead to when you will start back in the studio after the summer months, make sure you ease your body back into the training routine, rather than throwing yourself back into it – your muscles will thank you for it! It is important to take some time off from dancing to give your body a rest and allow it to replenish, but you may find you need to gradually increase your dancing and exercise as you approach the first lesson back.
Whilst dancing many times a week or even full time ups your energy and keeps you smiling, don’t forget to enjoy some down time. See friends outside of your dancing circle and take time for yourself to take part in activities that make you feel good. And no, down time doesn’t always mean stretching or practising your tendus! Getting enough sleep equally will keep your mind positive, and will mean you start each day fresh and focused.
Only one body
Taking care of the dancing body can take on many forms. Even when it may be warm outside it is important to look after your tools and ensure you are providing it with the best means to perform to its highest standard.
Before you start dancing, you must warm up thoroughly. Make sure you heat the body and its muscles from the inside out – this is even harder in colder weather as your starting body temperature is lower. To warm up sufficiently, the heart rate must increase and you may even break a sweat! The body should feel freer and looser; however it is important not to stretch to your full capacity until you are properly warm, even if dynamic stretches make up part of your warm up. Begin with small movements and work your way through the entire body to make sure it is ready.
If you are looking ahead to when you will start back in the studio after the summer months, make sure you ease your body back into the training routine, rather than throwing yourself back into it – your muscles will thank you for it! It is important to take some time off from dancing to give your body a rest and allow it to replenish, but you may find you need to gradually increase your dancing and exercise as you approach the first lesson back.
Whilst dancing many times a week or even full time ups your energy and keeps you smiling, don’t forget to enjoy some down time. See friends outside of your dancing circle and take time for yourself to take part in activities that make you feel good. And no, down time doesn’t always mean stretching or practising your tendus! Getting enough sleep equally will keep your mind positive, and will mean you start each day fresh and focused.