3 Reasons Dancers Should Consider Yoga as a Cross Training Tool

By Lisa Kotecki

As dancers, we are constantly at high risk of injury. (Ouch, ugh). 

Cross training and conditioning absolutely imperative to reduce our risk of injury, and mantain strong and happy bodies.  As a dancer that walks into our studio, we want to ensure you get all the skills and training necessary to be at the top of your game. So we added a Ashtanga Yoga with Jennifer, staring  May 31st, every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 -8:30 AM.  (Here's the direct information about the class)

Yoga provides an excellent cross training tool to keep your body happy, muscles strong and invigorated, and mind calm to execute movements. Here are a couple of things to think about when considering yoga as a cross training vehicle for training:

1. Most dancers learn to breath in the top of their chest - Yoga will teach you to breathe in a way that induces a relaxation response. Yogic breathing is not natural, this is only something that can be learned with practice.  Result: More stamina in your dance practice.

2. Yoga helps with mind chatter.  What does this mean?  You know those funky moves that trip you up?  Yoga can help you achieve them.  Former Ailey dancer turned yoga instructor Jessica Hadari says, "I quit dance and got my yoga certification, and after a couple years off went back to dance. I noticed a big shift in my mind chatter.  I used to talk myself out of scary dance moves, like certain jumps and turns.  That part was gone, and I found I could center myself enough to execute movements with greater ease." Translation: Yoga will ease your mind so you can master difficult movements with greater ease.

3. Dancers don't typically hold stretches long enough for sustained injury prevention over time.  We warm up our bodies, and can jump directly into difficult poses or stretches. Over time this could mean wear and tear on the body, and greater risk to injury.  It takes 2-3 minutes of sustained holding for muscle groups to open.   Bottom line: Yoga can help with long term sustainable flexibility and decrease chance of injuries. 

Happy Dancing!

PS - if you haven't joined our Shoebox Studio SF fan page - its not too late.  If you help us get to 400 users by Monday, we have a present for you (see video below)

New Workshop, and Why you Shouldn't Fake it Till You Make It

Hi Shoeboxers! 

I want to introduce myself.  My name is Lisa Kotecki, and I've been doing a lot of the behind the scenes work at Shoebox.  We may have met on the Facebook page, or at the front desk, or even via email - but if not, allow this to be our first time meeting!  

Today I'm writing you to tell you about something I'm doing that we're not supposed to do as dancers, and to let you know about  a really hot workshop coming up with Byron later this month. (More details here).

How fun would it be if we just did what others told us to do?

So what is this bad thing I'm doing?  Admitting I'm weak, and not letting it stop me from dancing.  As dancers we're taught to fake till we make it, and to be fabulous, and out.  

Dancers can get a really bad rap for being divas from this attitude.  I don't have that.  I know when I've walked into a class and felt intimidated because I felt like I was the weakest link in the class, I haven't come back. I'm guilty of thinking, "I can't go to class, I don't want to be the worst person, and feel uncomfortable - as if somehow magically I'm going to get better by "watching' on the sidelines. Its so silly - why would I take class if I already knew what to do?!?

Do you have that experience?

I remember taking a class from a really great teacher from another dance studio.  He had a reputation for being rough, but I wanted to learn what he had to teach, so I made the commitment.  I went in and, and boy did he picked on me -A LOT.   One class he was going around the room doing corrections, and it got to me, and he said "gurl, you've got so much going on, I can't even do anything with that."  I laughed, but it really impacted me.   Needless to say, it wasn't much longer of taking his class.

Fast forward a couple years later - I was talking to Byron last week about taking his Jumps and Turns class.  I told him "Hey Byron, I'm not a jazz dancer, but I really want to take your jumps and turns class. If I take it, I know I'll flail." (because of lack of experience).  What he said completely suprised me - He said "gurl, if you're gonna fail, you better own your flail."  I was so shocked and inspired by that response - own your flail.  He could have gone in the other direction and told me how lucky I'd be to take his class, and what an honor it would be to study with him, because his students who are committed end up going to New York and LA (true story).  He could have told me how he's studied and choreographed for some of the biggest names in the business (also true) and how I've gotta tough it out.  But no, he just told me to own it, right where I was, and if I stuck it out long enough, I'd get the results I wanted.  

Where was he a couple years ago?   So you can bet, that I'll be there, on May 28th from 3:00-5:00 owning my flail in his Jumps and Turns Clinic.  I'm so grateful for Byron's approach.

This class isn't just for professionals (though by all means if you are one, Byron can really up your game), and it definitely isn't for everyone.  Its for dancers committed to their path - not for dancers interested in "looking good" or about "getting it right" but for dancers interested in doing it full on. There's only 8 spots, (7 now that I've taken one), and once they are gone, they're gone. So if you think this is you, you can click here to get your jumps and turns on.  Once you get to the page, you click "register" and go through the prompts.  

PS - If we haven't met, come say "hi" to me next time you're in the studio. I look forward to seeing you!