Summer breaks mean fun, sun and maybe a break too, from the strenuous dance training you are used to. Maintaining a healthy body and staying in shape is important, to ensure you retain muscle tone and flexibility too, ready to return to dance in September. There are numerous ways of maintaining your dancing body...
Summer intensives and summer schools are a good way of keeping up your dancing, but perhaps in a different style or with different teachers. These courses mean you are still dancing, and haven't put your body out to pasture for six weeks. There are a variety of programmes for all ages, styles and abilities, it is just making sure you find one which suits you and your needs. Other drop in classes as also a good way of continuing to dance through the summer. Additionally, yoga or Pilates classes can be very beneficial in complementing your dance training: they help build strength and flexibility.
Other activities will also help. Walking and/or running - wearing proper footwear - maintains stamina and provides power for your muscles; stretching at home now that it's warmer, safer and easier to work on flexibility; lifting light weights to tone muscle and swimming are all great ways of staying active throughout breaks from the dance studio. Swimming is a great way to get some cardio exercise in without putting any pressure on your bones and muscles.
It is also important to get enough sleep throughout the summer. Your body needs rest in order to remain in shape and repair itself, otherwise it doesn't have enough time to look after itself. Finally, if you are lucky enough to live somewhere sunny, make sure you spend time outdoors. Sunshine (vitamin D) is vital for the body's growth.
Make sure you look after your body and it will continue to look after you!
Staying in shape for the summer
Summer breaks mean fun, sun and maybe a break too, from the strenuous dance training you are used to. Maintaining a healthy body and staying in shape is important, to ensure you retain muscle tone and flexibility too, ready to return to dance in September. There are numerous ways of maintaining your dancing body...
Summer intensives and summer schools are a good way of keeping up your dancing, but perhaps in a different style or with different teachers. These courses mean you are still dancing, and haven't put your body out to pasture for six weeks. There are a variety of programmes for all ages, styles and abilities, it is just making sure you find one which suits you and your needs. Other drop in classes as also a good way of continuing to dance through the summer. Additionally, yoga or Pilates classes can be very beneficial in complementing your dance training: they help build strength and flexibility.
Other activities will also help. Walking and/or running - wearing proper footwear - maintains stamina and provides power for your muscles; stretching at home now that it's warmer, safer and easier to work on flexibility; lifting light weights to tone muscle and swimming are all great ways of staying active throughout breaks from the dance studio. Swimming is a great way to get some cardio exercise in without putting any pressure on your bones and muscles.
It is also important to get enough sleep throughout the summer. Your body needs rest in order to remain in shape and repair itself, otherwise it doesn't have enough time to look after itself. Finally, if you are lucky enough to live somewhere sunny, make sure you spend time outdoors. Sunshine (vitamin D) is vital for the body's growth.
Make sure you look after your body and it will continue to look after you!