(I'm going back to English now, it is after all what Callisto asks us to do. :) )
Besides belly dancing, what other forms of exercise are you into?
I took Pilates classes for about ten weeks this spring, and while it did wonders for my posture and overall strength (especially shoulders, arms and legs, which have always been my problem areas strength wise), I started realizing after about 2/3 of the course that I couldn't do belly rolls any more, and that my entire torso was nowhere near as flexible as it had been before I started.
I blame this on the instructors who were very inconsistent and seemed to have little or no contact. Now I basically dance a couple of times a week, and do some yoga (although nowhere near often enough). I feel like I should be doing something else as well.
But we all need to be strong in order to dance, right? What do you do to get strong and keep it that way? As I'm close to becoming post-student-unemployed very soon I welcome advice on cheap alternatives. :)
Besides belly dancing, what other forms of exercise are you into?
I took Pilates classes for about ten weeks this spring, and while it did wonders for my posture and overall strength (especially shoulders, arms and legs, which have always been my problem areas strength wise), I started realizing after about 2/3 of the course that I couldn't do belly rolls any more, and that my entire torso was nowhere near as flexible as it had been before I started.
I blame this on the instructors who were very inconsistent and seemed to have little or no contact. Now I basically dance a couple of times a week, and do some yoga (although nowhere near often enough). I feel like I should be doing something else as well.
But we all need to be strong in order to dance, right? What do you do to get strong and keep it that way? As I'm close to becoming post-student-unemployed very soon I welcome advice on cheap alternatives. :)
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Re: Other forms of excercise.
Sat, May 10, 2008 - 5:19 AMHeh, "excercise". XCRCISE. I can't spel. I em pour engwish speker.
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Re: Other forms of excercise.
Sat, May 10, 2008 - 5:23 AMOh, and I found these: www.visionarydance.com/weightbelt.html
I thought I might make one myself, and fill it with gravel or flour or gold something. Could that be a good way of gaining lower body strength?
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Re: Other forms of excercise.
Sat, May 10, 2008 - 6:09 AMI try to do strength exercises regularily to keep abs and thies (primarily) in shape so I don't hurt myself. Shoulders are also a good part to exercise.
I have also started to take the bike to work a couple of times a week (goooooooood strength training for the legs). Then I take body combat and body balance classes when I can.
My allaround tip is if you want to be a good dancer you must be much stronger than the steps you do require. Thus making it look easy, and avoiding injuries. The gym isn't such a bad place. If weights seem boooooring, try body pump. Body balance is also good, it strengthens the core and hips/legs, and makes you more flexible. -
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Re: Other forms of excercise.
Sat, May 10, 2008 - 9:45 AMYeah, my those are the parts of me that has suffered the most from not continuing with Pilates. I didn't get inflexible because I lost muscles... I think I'll try to create some kind exercise program to do in the mornings, a little yoga, some strength exercises, perhaps even some weights for the arms.
Ooh, bike riding! I used to do that a lot when I was younger, don't know why I haven't continued. Still think it's the best way to transport oneself unless it's unbearably hot outside, like it is today. The down part with living where I live is that there are virtually no hills here, and biking to the central station takes about 3 minutes. On the other hand that gives me the opportunity to go long distances. Do need to get my bike checked though.
Is body balance the one that includes yoga and pilates, or is it the one where you use those big air inflated balls?
I did both body pump and body combat a few years ago and they were a lot of fun as far as I can remember. But the gyms here are too expensive for me, although I have been thinking about joining Friskis & Svettis in Kristianstad which is only 30 minutes by train from here. I have also found a martial arts club that have iaido classes that only cost 300 kr a term. That would keep the posture good and shoulders strong..
Am I right to assume that the best way to be able continue dancing for many years ahead is to make ones exercise program varied?
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