As a dancer its important to be good in absolutely everything, strength, flexibility, cardio and coordination. Thats something I both love and hate about it, because you have to spread your focus a lot. Now that I don’t compete or study dance anymore, I have to motivate myself to train all these things and it isn’t always that easy. Lately its been easier to get into a routine because of corona, and it feels really good!
I teach technique classes to many of my girls these days, and stretching is a big part of it. Most people that hear the word stretching, think about the splits or touching your toes, but the most important kind of stretching is normally the one thats not so visible.
Maybe you can get into a split, but your ass is so stiff you can’t sit with your legs crossed? These are the things that can affect or cause an injury, so its important that all of our muscles gets a good stretch from time to time.
Many of my dancers had never done some of these before, which is why I thought I should share them with you! 🙂
- YOUR ASS (I’m sure there’s a nicer way to call it in English lol but idk)
Sit with your legs crossed and reach forward with your upper body. Try to make your stomach touch your legs and your head to touch the floor.
2. TURN OUT
Lay on your stomach and relax your hips. Your toes should be touching, so your legs make a diamond shape. Get someone to push your feet towards the ground.
This one is painful in a different way, and you might feel like you’re going to break. That’s how it’s supposed to be, so don’t worry 😉
3. FRONT THIGHS/LOWER BACK/HIPS
You might normally do this one already, but I want you to try it with a different focus. For many years, I’ve been having trouble with my back, especially my lower back. When I do this exercise, I think of relaxing my lower back, letting go of all tension and letting gravity do its stuff. It stretches differently, and its been helping me a lot with my back.
So if you’re having problems with your back- try this one!
All the exercises should be held for about 2 minutes, make sure you breathe with your stomach and relax 🙂
Hope this is helpful!
xxx
martine camilla 