How Can I Become More Flexible?

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.” -Audrey Hepburn

‘How do I become more flexible?’ is a question often heard by ballet instructors. It is an important question and one that all dancers should ask themselves as they grow in their ballet journey.

While there are many sources on the internet about increasing flexibility, it is important to be cautious and to ensure you are stretching safely as well as effectively. Alberta Ballet School has put together this list of top do’s and don’ts of becoming more flexible.

Do:

Create a Stretching Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to improving your flexibility. Try integrating some time to stretch into your morning routine, and you will start to see progress in no time. But remember that it is important to give your body time to rest and recover, so integrate this into your routine a few days a week as opposed to every day.

Warm Up First

It is important to make sure that your muscles are warm before you begin any intensive or lengthy stretching exercises. Whether this is going for a quick jog, or tacking on to your exercise for the day, this will help prevent injuries to your muscles.

Keep Active

By moving your body, you are keeping your muscles warm and active. Not only will this help with your flexibility, but it will also help maintain mobility. It is also a good idea to incorporate dynamic stretches into your routine as well as static. Just be sure not to “bounce” when you are stretching out your muscles in this way – this will help prevent injury.

Don’t:

Push too Hard

Be gentle with your body! When you push your body into positions that it is not ready for, you risk injuring yourself and this can be very dangerous. Take it slow and be patient.

Have a Partner Help

You may think that partner stretching would be helpful and fun, however, it can do more harm than good. When you stretch with the help of someone who does not know your limits, you risk tearing your muscles and damaging your ligaments. It is better to stretch on your own to ensure your safety.

Compare Yourself to Others

It is important to remember that you cannot compare your flexibility journey to anyone else but yourself. There will be some dancers that are more flexible and there will be others who are not. Everyone is moving at their own pace and that is okay!

Remember your instructor can supervise and help coach you as your move to increase your flexibility; Alberta Ballet School instructors are here to help you excel

Ready to take your dancing journey to the next level? Alberta Ballet School has dance classes in Calgary and dance studios in Edmonton. Reach out to us directly if you have any questions regarding our professional dance school or our recreational dance programming!