Ballet requires a great deal of flexibility, balance, and strength. In the process of polishing your skills, you may be looking for a way to target certain muscles, as well as maintain a calm disposition and a sense of balance. Yoga can offer many benefits and give you a chance to unwind in the process.

Similarities Between Ballet & Yoga

Because both practices are rooted in the act of aligning and elongating the body, ballet and yoga both involve balance and strength. Many ballet dancers choose to practice yoga during their off-season as a way of maintaining their flexibility and keeping the appropriate muscles engaged.

Certain yoga poses such as “standing dancer” or “standing head to knee” deal with developing more flexibility in your spine, shoulders, and hamstrings. These poses stretch the entire front of the body and strengthen the back muscles.

Other poses, such as “downward dog” and “plank,” build more upper arm strength that can be beneficial in partner dances. Yoga can also improve your overall range of motion and create more freedom in the body.

Benefits of Yoga for Ballet Dancers

Better Mind-Body Relationship

The world of ballet can often leave dancers feeling unsure of themselves and their bodies. Yoga encourages participants to accept and appreciate their natural body weight. By connecting the mind, body, and spirit, dancers who do yoga are more likely to listen to and respect their bodies.

Lessens Anxiety

Anxiety can feel overwhelming during times of stress, and stress is fairly common among dancers at an advanced level. Yoga can help you develop concentration on the moment at hand, fighting stress levels and relaxing the mind. Because yoga isn’t competitive, it can also ease your anxiety to know there is no wrong way to perform.

Links Breathing to Movement

Linking each breath to a motion can help you better harness your energy and use less effort in the process. Inhales are to be used for expanding motions like lifting a leg or arching your back, while exhales are better suited for contracting movements, like bending forward or stepping into a lunge.

Yoga helps you harness this type of breathwork in a way that will make you more in tune with your body when you dance.

 

 

If your child is interested in taking up ballet, tap classes, or jazz dance, enroll them at New York Dance Center in Chester, NY. This locally owned and operated studio offers a wide range of dance classes for students of all ages, ensuring their students gain confidence and get the chance to learn something new. Owner Gina Solimando and her team help each student develop their skills and even offer opportunities to participate in championships, including the World Dance Championship. To learn more about children’s dance classes, visit them online or call (845) 615-1433.