Dance, Yoga and Pilates

By Matthew Powell, Artistic Director

Ballet Nova Center For Dance

. http://www.balletnova.org/

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Dance, Yoga and Pilates

Whether you're a professional in business, ballet or basket-weaving, it's important to engage in activities that promote health and well-being, but also keep our bodies safe and strong.

Injuries can occur at any time walking down the street, running errands around town or playing sports at the park. By participating in dance, yoga, Pilates or floor barre classes, we're creating feel-good endorphins while also strengthening our bodies.

Dancing and yoga practice help improve muscle tone and strength, while developing better coordination and agility. Regardless of dance or yoga style, teachers often combine head, arm and foot movements to form exercises that develop a student's coordination throughout class. In addition, stretching and flexibility are also highlighted in class, which helps increase our range of motion and overall elasticity in our ligaments, tendons and muscles. Taking a dance or yoga class is beneficial to all who step into the studio.

Looking for something with less impact? Other strengthening activities include floor barre and Pilates. Floor barre is practiced either sitting or lying down on the floor, which forces correct body alignment and relieves stress on the joints. Practicing proper alignment is not only crucial to preventing injury, but also helps in the development of key muscle groups used for all movement.

Pilates is also a low-impact exercise and is often used in the rehabilitation process. By focusing on developing stronger back and abdominals, Pilates strengthens the center of the body in order to protect the spine. Many professional athletes have added Pilates to their workout routines for this basic benefit.

It's important to train properly, but also to have fun. Check out a dance or yoga studio with friends. Knowing that you're exercising to prevent injury is a great feeling, but it doesn't have to be tedious. Get into a movement class your body and your mind will thank you.