4 Fall Fitness Points: Striving for a Healthy, Well-Rounded Dancer Life

4 Fall Fitness Points: Striving for a Healthy, Well-Rounded Dancer Life

BY GINA PONGETTI ANGELETTI, MPT, MA, CSCS, ART-CERT.

We are so back! The best way to improve in any performance art is to make sure your body is ready to go at any moment, so when the call comes, you can show them you have what it takes to step into any role at any time! Dancers need to be physically and mentally fit to thrive. Each is of essential importance. Here are four ways to ensure you are focusing on all five parts of your health every day, every season.

1. PHYSICAL STRENGTH.

Training, rehearsing and conditioning the way you intend to compete and perform allows skills to happen effortlessly, as opposed to muscling through them or not being fit enough to perform. Break down the steps, combinations and sequences you want to learn or improve, and make sure you condition and train towards the goal.

2. RECOVERY!

When you are pushing your body to further limits, it inevitably will be sore. Your muscles are breaking down to build more and your body is using all of the energy it has to push limits. You will be physically tired. Remember to roll out after rehearsal, pop on Compression Recovery boots, go to physical therapy consistently and proactively, stretch, get massages and even try Cryotherapy!

3. MENTAL HEALTH.

Stress can come from overworking your body. It manifests into anxiety, hormonal changes, and causes you to work “harder” – so much so that what you could easily complete just yesterday, you can’t do today because of fatigue, leading to frustration and a decreasing belief in your inner strength and confidence. Make sure you are surrounded by teachers who want what is best for you, are verbally and emotionally positive in the studio and on stage, and allow you to have good and bad days while moving toward goals. Of course there will be tough days, and feedback is necessary to improve, but at the end of the day, nothing is more important than your health!

4. LIFE ORGANIZATION!

It’s time for goal-setting and at the same time, a reflection journal! Just as important as looking toward the future is reflecting on last season. Ask yourself:

• What worked? What did you do well?
• When were you most tired?
• If you were injured, what part of the season was it?
• Can you attribute it to overtraining – too many hours per day, too many days per week?
• Looking toward the future, how can you help prevent this in the coming year?
• What are your goals for each point of your season?

Set attainable goals that include skills, aerobic conditioning, fitness levels, strength, flexibility, nutrition, frequency of recovery and more! It is important to plan in advance for extra therapy, recovery, and even a social/dancing shift to allow for more rest. And sometimes, goals need to be adjusted if your body and mind are not
on the same path.

Let your body and mind help guide you and you will be a balanced, healthy and happy dancer!