| Most classical ballet dancers know that although their | | | | proud of what you do well, but you also have to |
| ballet dancing class progresses slowly so that body is | | | | overcome all those weaknesses. In stretching this |
| well warmed up before hitting the centre work, they | | | | works the same, as we tend to stretch our more |
| will get a lot more out of their class if they arrive ten | | | | willing parts and avoid the muscles that tend to be |
| minutes early to warm up and stretch. Ballet requires | | | | stiffer. |
| long, lean and strong muscles to facilitate ballet | | | | You should never go straight into stretches before |
| technique. These same muscles that work so hard in | | | | your body is warm, no mater how supple you are. |
| ballet class can become tight, bunchy and | | | | Start off warming up the body gently with gentle |
| overdeveloped if not properly stretched. It is also | | | | rises, ankle circles, shoulder rolls, etc. Only once your |
| easier to coax your body into ballet's various | | | | body is warm is it appropriate to begin stretching. |
| positions without too much strain when your muscles | | | | Keep movements small and controlled rather than |
| are warm. | | | | using ballistic bounces. Avoid sudden forceful |
| Warming up before class also prevents injury, | | | | movements that can cause tears and strain. Before |
| especially those tiny niggly ones and small tears that | | | | class is definitely not the time to test out your full |
| are just serious enough to keep you from getting | | | | range of motion. Transitions in and out of your |
| the most out of, and enjoying your classical ballet | | | | stretches should also be slow and controlled. |
| dancing class. | | | | Most importantly, listen to your body. Anything that |
| As humans we naturally want to practise what we | | | | inflicts too much of the wrong type of pain is simply |
| can do well and avoid practicing what needs work. | | | | not worth doing - you will cry later on. Stretching on |
| Just look around you in a gym. You often see the | | | | your off days also contributes towards maintaining |
| guy with the best biceps doing exercises for these | | | | flexibility, and making your return to your ballet class |
| same muscles, or in dancing class, the best turners | | | | so much easier. |
| are practicing their pirouettes. Yes it is good to be | | | | |