The Benefits of Yoga for Dancers

Exploring Yoga as an Additional Training Method to Improve Your Dancing

Not many people may realize it, but dancers are exceptional athletes. If you are a dancer, you know the endurance and agility you need to be able to practice for long hours and perform gracefully. To go beyond your limits and become a stronger and better dancer, consider additional training methods, such as yoga, to supplement your practice. In fact, yoga is one of the most beneficial ways you can enhance your dancing fitness routine—for several reasons. Yoga can help dancers reduce anxiety levels, increase body awareness, build flexibility, and stabilize physical health. Since dancing poses extremely unique demands on your body, a special yoga routine can help take care of all your recovery needs. If you are interested in furthering your dance career, whether professionally or just for fun, take dance classes at our studios in Calgary and Edmonton.

5 Reasons Dancers Should Practice Yoga

Incorporating yoga into your dance training routine can help increase your performance skills and maintain your level of wellbeing. In addition to these benefits, here are 5 reasons why yoga is an excellent practice for all dancers:

1. Increased Body Awareness: While dance requires you to pay attention to your focus and alignment, yoga takes this even one step further. Since yoga is naturally a slower-paced practice, each movement requires a greater level of precision which ensures each position is performed correctly. Focusing on alignment can help you build a strong foundation for better stability and power.
2. Improved Strength and Flexibility: Several standing poses in yoga rely on the same muscles that are used in dance movements. Poses like downward dog, balancing poses, and backbends can help you develop body strength and more specifically, back strength, to help you nail that arabesque. While most dancers can be quite flexible, there are still areas you may find that are tight and yoga stretches can help you unlock a greater range of motion.
3. Establishing Breath Control: One of the most important lessons in yoga is mastering breath control. There are many dancers that have not been taught to use the breath to power certain movements and even worse, you may forget to breathe at all. Most yoga practices are centered around the breath, like sitting still and listening to each of your inhales and exhales for a certain period. Over time, you will get into the habit of learning that inhales expand movements, whereas exhales are better suited for contracting your actions.
4. Internal Health Benefits: In addition to the physical perks of yoga, the practice also offers several internal health benefits as well. For instance, spinal twists can help keep your spine flexible and puts gentle pressure on the surrounding organs which triggers a detoxifying effect. Inversions can also redirect blood flow throughout the body and improve circulation. This can help clear and calm the mind, while also ensuring your lungs and heart remain healthy.
5. Focus on the Present: Yoga can help re-center the mind by encouraging you to focus on the present. The practice helps you get into a state of relaxation by slowing your breath and focusing on the pose and peaceful feelings. Many dancers find that the meditative quality of yoga can be carried throughout other activities, including dance.

Accelerate Your Dance Career and Enroll in Our Dance Classes in Calgary and Edmonton

The benefits of yoga extend beyond the physical. The practice is a perfect way to soothe the soul and establish peace of mind. Whether you want to get stronger, increase your flexibility, or just bring your consciousness to a more relaxed state, yoga has a lot to offer.

At Alberta Ballet School, we offer both open and professional division programming, providing dancers of all skill levels the opportunity to take their practice to the next level. Our dance classes in Calgary and Edmonton are led by our highly qualified and educated team of instructors who expect all students to adhere to the specific standards that are required by the art form. However, we are also an institution that recognizes the importance of balance, ensuring that students have fun and enjoy the creative process in a safe and supportive learning environment. We encourage all our dancers to find ways to align their body, mind, and spirit, whether it’s on the yoga mat or through another practice, to bring your best self to dance.

For more information about any of our dance programs, please give us a call at 403-245-2274 ext. 722 or fill out our online contact form and we will be happy to assist you. Everyone is welcome to train and take dance classes at our dance academy in Edmonton and Calgary.