Ballet Stretches
Top Tips on Stretching!

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Dancers love to stretch. They love to feel the length through their muscles and stretch any tight muscles.

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Stretching is an important part to a dancer's life because it elongates the muscles and allows more flexible through the body which is vital for dancers.

Dancers can stretch for several different reasons...

Dancers stretch to keep their bodies in good health, both in the short term and long term, to avoid the consequences of long term muscle strain. This is because muscles that are stretched correctly on a regular basis are more flexible and so less vulnerable to injury.

I'm sure every dancer goes through a stage and asks "How can I become more flexible?" or "I wish I was more flexible". Therefore, dancers also stretch to lengthen muscles and allow greater flexibility in the limbs.

They key to all ballet stretching is to be patient and consistent.

The most common places in which the dancer likes to stretch muscles are the Calves, Hamstrings, Glutes and Quads.

For flexibility, dancers tend to do stretches like the splits. Or more strenuous stretches such as shouldering the leg where the dancer holds the leg beyond their usual placing to get a deeper stretch.

But stretching should be a delicate process where nothing is forced or pushed, it must be gentle and gradual.

Think of stretching as a way of training the body. During all your ballet classes you're continually training your body to perfect the steps and stretching is the same, it will improve with time.

I suggest to hold the stretch for 30 seconds or so, and then gently release. It's also important to maintain your natural breathing... don't hold your breath - relax into it!

Bare in mind that ballet stretches will feel easier and be more beneficial to your body if you are warm. A great time to stretch is after class as the muscles will be more pliable, so use this time to your advantage!

As well as doing separate stretches, during the ballet class is a key time to increase flexibility. If you always remain happy with the height in which you place your legs, then they'll can't expect for them to improve. You have to always be striving for more so each lesson try to get those legs that little bit higher!

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