If your sense of gravity and balance seem “off” during dance class—and all your pants are suddenly too short—there’s a good chance you’re going through a growth spurt. It can be frustrating, especially as a dance student, for your own body to feel unfamiliar. But growth spurts also present opportunities to strengthen your changing muscles, […]
There’s a common misconception among dancers that lifting weights makes you bulky and should be avoided at all costs. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, especially if you’re trying to build strength in specific areas. Dance Spirit turned to Chelsey Wilkens, a personal trainer at SoHo Strength Lab in NYC, for her top […]
Fitness fads come and go, but one has stood the test of time: Pilates. Dancers swear by this full-body workout as an effective cross-training regimen. The low-impact moves are easy on any nagging injuries and help keep you lean, toned, centered, and flexible. Dance Spirit turned to Youn Kyung Lee, owner of 21 Pilates in […]
If you’re one of the lucky dancers #blessed with hyperextended knees, you know that while they’re super-pretty to look at, they’re also super-prone to injury. Dance Spirit asked Sean P. Gallagher, BFA, PT, CFT, CPT, MS, and founder of Performing Arts Physical Therapy in NYC, about the most effective strengthening moves for hyperextension. Photos by […]
In the 1990s, actress Suzanne Somers turned the funky-looking ThighMaster into a fitness hit. And we get it! It’s crucial, especially for dancers, to tone those inner thighs. “The inner thigh, like any upper leg area, helps stabilize the knee joint,” says dancer, personal trainer and group fitness instructor Deborah Horton. “It’s important to work […]
You spend your days jumping, leaping, bending, twisting and generally putting a ton of stress on your knees. But be kind to them—they’re two of your most important body parts! One of the best ways to avoid knee pain is to strengthen the muscles surrounding your kneecaps. “These exercises will help improve your alignment, which […]
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