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)