Condition Your Body and Dance Strong
When you start dancing, you may start feeling muscles you never knew you had. Dance engages many muscles that you might not regularly use. Even if they hurt at first, over time, you will build strength, which is excellent to perform with much more ease and control. A healthy body is a key to an injury-free journey as a dancer, regardless of the type of dance you do.
Cross-training is a great way to compliment your dance training. Here are some exercises to help you build strength, dance better and avoid injuries:
Weight Training
Dancing requires your body to be strong to perform different types of moves safely. You know, the spinning, the stretching, the shimmying, all that puts a strain on your body. Strong muscles make it easier for the body to move efficiently.
Swimming
A healthy cardiovascular system is also significant for dancers. It is essential to perform for extended periods and to endure through an intense dance routine. Although running and jogging are excellent cardio exercises, swimming also helps work every muscle group in your body.
Yoga or Pilates
Your core is a crucial part of your body as a dancer. A strong core provides stability and helps perform movements safely and with much more control. Yoga or pilates are both great exercises to build core strength and help minimize injuries.
Stretching
Flexibility is vital for any dancer, and frequent stretching exercises are the way to better flexibility. Include a stretching routine as part of your warmup and cooldown after class. You can also do it when you’re at home. The more you follow through with it, the more flexible you’ll become. Flexible muscles are less prone to injury.
Whether you do belly dance, samba, Polynesian dance or anything else, your body and your dance skills can benefit from stronger muscles. What’s your favorite way to cross-train your body?