Get Hip to Hip Health
There’s a reason why dancers tend to walk like ducks and instinctively flop into a straddle when sitting on the floor: Our hips are conditioned to do things that aren’t anatomically “normal.”
Search results for: cross-training
7 Reasons Why Kettlebells Rock for Dancers’ Fitness—and How to Use Them
Dancers know that choosing the right cross-training methods can improve their performance and increase the longevity of their careers. But as sports training has evolved, there are more options than ever. So what’s your best bet? If you’re looking to improve your level of fitness and want to see that carry over into your dancing, […]
What Would It Take to Change The Culture of Dancing Through Injury?
From a very early age, dancers are taught that pain comes with the territory. When injuries inevitably arise, dancers feel shame, social stigma and tremendous pressure to bounce back as quickly as possible. This means taking a risk by downplaying the severity, or hiding it altogether due to fear.
Should Dancers Be Taking Sports Supplements?
You probably wouldn’t follow the cross-training regimen of a football player, or do the same stretches as a soccer star. So are sports supplements aimed at other athletes even useful for high-level dancers? To find out which ones could boost your performance—and which could actually tank your hard work—we spoke with two dancers-turned-dietitians. Protein Powder […]
How COVID Has Changed College Dance Departments
University dance programs have undergone some remarkable changes since March 2020. From shutting down completely and sending students home to mandating masks and social distancing, there are plenty of pandemic-era adjustments that students and faculty will be happy to leave behind. However, there are also some transformations that many dance departments plan to carry forward […]
The Dancer’s Ultimate Guide to Stretching
Ah, stretching. It seems so simple, and is yet so complicated. For example: You don’t want to overstretch, but you’re not going to see results if you don’t stretch enough. You want to focus on areas where you’re tight, but you also can’t neglect other areas or else you’ll be imbalanced. You were taught to […]
What Dancers Can Learn From La Meri’s Focus on the Global Spectrum of Dance
When I came back to taking dance classes after a 37-year lapse (which I do not recommend), I returned to ballet. It’s the foundation. Right? Gradually I added in contemporary, Pilates, Gyrokinesis and a sprinkling of yoga. It looked like the equivalent of the food pyramid for dance, which is reflected in the curriculums of […]
Are Cooldowns Really Worth the Time?
The end of a class or rehearsal is typically when you do your most intense dancing, like a strenuous grand allégro or a full-out run of a piece. And most often, dancers simply rush along to their next commitment immediately afterwards. You’re lucky if you have a chance to catch your breath before you leave […]