Every dancer wants to be more flexible. There are many ways to work on flexibility, but which are the most effective?
How to Improve Your Flexibility with These Simple Suggestions?
Being flexible allows dancers to create beautiful shapes that helps bring choreography to life. Stretching is essential to gain more flexibility but not all stretches are helpful. Here are 4 tips to help you increase your range of motion.
Don’t Stay in a Static Position
Spending too much time on one stretch might not be as productive as you expect it to be. Instead, try moving through different stretches, holding each for less time, so you can get them done in waves. The constant motion will help prepare your body for your dancing.
Change Positions Before It Hurts
The norm is that you hold the stretch and “feel the burn” as you stretch. Of course, there is stretching pain and then there’s pain that tells you somethings wrong. Either way, it is recommended that the stretch doesn’t go on for so long that you start feeling pain. So, stop before it hurts. Pain tells your brain there is something wrong, which can be counterproductive.
Open Up the Joints
Gently pulling on your limbs first helps create some space in the joints. This action will allow you to stretch further.
Try Assisted Stretches
Of course, stretching doesn’t only need to happen on the dance floor before you start dancing. You can do it at home at any time, especially after a thorough routine. A specialist, such as a physical therapist, can help you stretch in ways you can’t do on your own. Proactively doing these stretches with a professional can help correct imbalances, minimizing your chance of chronic injuries.
Hard work renders the best results. Sometimes, the improvement we’re seeking comes from taking care of the details, like improving flexibility. Take care of your body and it will surprise you. Yoga can also help you improve your range of motion. Join our Vinyasa Yoga class and feel the difference.