Flexibility is essential in dance because it allows you a greater range of motion and control over your body, allowing you to complete moves more easily and gracefully. This will help you perform better in dance classes and especially in competitive dance. The best way to increase your flexibility is to practice at home in addition to the stretches you do in the dance studio. However, it’s possible to hurt yourself if you do it incorrectly, so follow these best practices to stay healthy and improve quickly.

How to Become More Flexible

1. Stretch Safely

To avoid injury, always warm up before doing stretches, and start slowly. Cold muscles are more stiff and likely to tear. Stretching should not hurt or cause joint pain. Stretching to the point of pain can actually decrease your flexibility while you recover from the injury. 

2. Stretch More Than Once a Day

Every day, set aside ten or fifteen minutes twice a day specifically to work on flexibility. This can be part of your morning routine, or something you do immediately before other physical activities. Ask your dance class instructor for stretches specific to your style of dance and level of skill. 

Also, throughout the day, pay attention to your posture and flexibility during normal activities. Try to sit up straight when studying or working and take longer strides when you walk. Incorporating these exercises throughout your day will help your body get used to them.

3. Do Dynamic Stretches Before a Workout and Static After

Dynamic stretches are ones where you move continuously—for example, rotating your shoulders or swinging your legs. Static stretches are ones where you stretch as far as you can in a given direction, then hold the pose. 

Dynamic stretches are good for warming up because they gradually increase your range of motion with each repetition. Static stretches are good for gently cooling down tired muscles and reducing soreness after other types of exertion.

For children’s dance classes in northwest Indiana, choose Origins Dance Academy in Crown Point, IN. Serving students from three years old to early high school, they offer classes for students of all skill levels, including competitive dance programs. Their professionally trained instructors and almost 15 years of history set them apart. To enroll your child, call (219) 662-2632 or reach out online.