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Although all dance classes and programs incorporate flexibility training into the warm up of the activity, if you want to get more flexible, here are some of the best dance styles to go for.
Barre Fitness – Barre Fitness uses ballet barre exercises combined with additional stretching exercises to encourage long lean muscles, as well as sculpting and toning your body. If jumping into a full blown dance class sounds intimidating, this is the perfect alternative. But don’t be fooled, it’s still hard work! In Barre Fitness you will work on extending and conditioning your muscles, taking them into the deep burn phase with short bursts of sustained and held positions. This is followed by lengthening to build strength and flexibility.
Contemporary, Lyrical & Jazz – These three dance styles are highly energetic and expressive, and was created as a means to liberate dancers from the established structure of classical Ballet. It focuses on the length and strength of movement, and understanding your own body in a space. Most of the techniques used focus on elongation and expansion of the limbs to fill the space you inhabit. Again, don’t worry if you have never done any contemporary dance before, as there are always beginners classes where you’ll learn everything from scratch.
Ballet – The obvious choice for flexibility, dancing ballet helps you develop postural control and core strength. Many of the exercises in Ballet are structured to increase flexibility, mobility and the strength of your musculoskeletal system. Don’t worry if you’ve never danced Ballet before, join a beginner class, requiring no previous dance experience. You will find you can reach higher, bend lower and feel more agile and elegant.
For any of the classes above you can also combine Pilates, which is great for releasing stress and tension, whilst providing full body strength and flexibility. Pilates is known for helping people develop both strength and flexibility. The following set of Pilates stretches includes exercises that increase the flexibility of the back, front-body, side-body, hamstrings, and hips.
The strength part of the stretch and strength equation is very important—it’s what helps maintain physical integrity and alignment as one stretches a muscle, or increases the range of motion in a joint.
Regardless of what you choose, the important thing is to have fun!
EDA has one of the largest adult dance and fitness programs in London with students even up to 62 years old! Choose from many dance classes such as adult ballet, adult hip hop, and fitness programs like Pilates. And we know you’re busy, so if you’re not sure you can commit to a term, sign up for an Adult Dance Card and join any classes any time!
Elan Dance Arts (EDA) offers dancers a new level of dance training through programs that are not offered anywhere else in the city. Starting from ages 2.5 to adults whether it’s for certified examinations or simply for health, fun and recreation, we’re the studio for you! EDA is the only ADAPT certified studio in the SouthWestern Ontario area. We specialize in educating students using the distinguished Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) syllabus created by Brian Foley, one of Canada’s most renowned dance teachers, directors and choreographers. At EDA we strongly believe that Dance as an art form is one of the most beautiful and exciting experiences one can have in life. We are highly devoted and dedicated to the process of the development and popularization of dance activities among people of all ages.