Tips to help stay in shape for dance over breaks

Throughout the dance seasons students have several holiday breaks. Over these breaks it is really important to keep up on your dance skills to help your body. Cardio, stretching and keeping up with your current choreography are all very important for every type of dancer. No matter the genre, everyone can benefit from these tips. 

Keep up your cardio with some type of physical activity. It is very important to give your body some rest over a long break, however you still want to keep your heart rate up for an easier return to the studio. Going for a run, jog or even a fast walk is a great easy way to keep up with your cardio.  For young dancers, physical playtime is a great way to keep them moving.  If you are on a long break due to severe weather and cannot be outdoors, it would be very beneficial to participate in an online workout video or zumba class. 

We want to make sure all the work we have put into our muscles is not going to waste over a break.  Make sure you give some time to stretch out.  Stretching is most beneficial after you have your great rate up from cardio. After you have gone for a walk, or been running outside to play, take a few minutes to stretch out. 

It is really easy to forget our choreography from class when we have a few weeks between practices. Please do yourself and your dance teacher a favor, make sure you run through your dance a few times!  If you are visiting family over a holiday break take the opportunity to show them your dance you have been working on  in class! 

Dancers need to take care of their bodies when they are in and out of the studio. Your body is your tool to show off your fantastic artwork! We need to “keep our tools sharp” even when they are not in use. We need to keep up with cardio, stretching and our current choreography to enhance our performances. 

Written by: Deanna Rea