What kind of stretches does everyone do?
I like Figure 4 and Happy Baby which feel super awesome for the hips, yoga strap for hamstrings and calf stretches against the wall mostly.

What kind of stretches does everyone do?
I like Figure 4 and Happy Baby which feel super awesome for the hips, yoga strap for hamstrings and calf stretches against the wall mostly.
Stretching is SO important!!! Dancing is so potentially harmful to our bodies because there are long stretches of time where we relax, our muscles get cold, and then suddenly we are on stage doing splits, flips, and twirls. Professional dancers know the importance of warm-ups before performing. Thus, my advice is to stretch when you get off stage (when your muscles are warm). You can stretch before you go on--but be careful! I do the following pretty regularly:
1. Hamstrings--sit with your legs in a "V" and SLOWLY relax your way into a forward fold. Right, 30s; Center, 30s, Left 30s, Repeat. Take DEEP DEEP breaths, and feel your spine LENGTHENING... you are growing taller from your pelvis to the crown of your head. You should feel this stretch under your knee, in the middle of your hamstring, and from the base of your sit bones.
2. Side Opener--So now that hamstrings are loosened, you are going to do the same forward stretch, but this time, as you stretch to the right, open your left side and reach over your head. Right leg, open left 30s; center (no opening); Left leg, open right 30s; Repeat. When you come up, come up SLOWLY by rolling through your spine.
3. Calf stretch--Bring your legs together, forward roll down (slowly). Your goal is to REST your face against your knees--but your spine must be naturally and fully extended--not rounded because you are in a hurry to stretchWhen you are relaxed, use your hands to pull your toes and feet up. Again, be gentle. You should feel this in your calves. Point your toes, flex your toes, point, etc.
Do these three, giving yourself 15 minutes. Do this when it is slow, and definitely AFTER your long shift. Also, if you post some specific pains/problems, I'll write a series of simple stretches to help correct the problem. Peace and love!
I actually do a whole frickin hour of yoga when I get home, after I get out of the shower. Yeah it helps.



I use to do yoga at work before signing in with the dj. I would do it on a stage that is not used during the day and custies would always come over and tip me lol.
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