a well-rounded physical practice

topic posted Mon, December 15, 2008 - 9:16 AM by  Darshan
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Do you have one?
It can be difficult to create it in these times. We are so busy, and it seems necessary to focus our passions. But I have found that my practice does not feel complete unless it includes three elements: an alignment and flexibility component, a strength and discipline component, and an endurance or cardio component. Depending on the way I am practicing, dance usually falls gently into perhaps the first and third, but may not necessarily complete them. Dance also adds the necessary element of organic change. Because a body tires of any practice too repetitive, and such a practice may cease to provide all the benefits of a changing regimen.
Because time does seem limited, I find that generally my practice settles into a couple of these areas, say flexibility and strength plus dance, and will be missing the third, often the cardio element. I think as long as I cycle gently back through, making sure to cover the three over a period of time, the practice is still balanced. Indeed, it does tend to be the cardio element that falls through for me, and I can feel the difference. I miss a certain sense of lightness. Often in winter I miss it. It took me a while, early in my dance, to realize that for me dance is generally not enough to cover the cardio component, except perhaps during the times when I am dancing for hours every day. When dance is the discipline component, and I am working on technique and line, repeating sections, it is generally great exercise but not complete cardio. So for most of us most of the time, we should remember that we want to add some other satisfying cardio component and see how it makes us feel.
posted by:
Darshan
New York City
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  • Re: a well-rounded physical practice

    Mon, December 15, 2008 - 12:58 PM
    cycling, rollerblading are exercises I practice to cross train for dancing
    yoga helps a lot with recovery from dance intensives and the like
    I feel the cardio is #1 for me, because once I get over that hump , stretching and other activities benifit me much more.
    some dance styles wind me up, others unwind and loosen tension lines...it seems to be cultural,i.e if one only does ballet then the body structure runs into a number of problems, if one only does contact improvisation the individual's strength can be compromised...

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