This is probably the execise I’ve assigned as homework to the most dancers over time. You know that front side “pinching” feeling women often get trying to execute a beautiful développé? Often times that pinching sensation arises because the femur is sitting forward in the hip socket. This drill is intended to directly address that. Again, think of this as a “healthy hip” movement that can lead to greater expressiveness as well.
Read MoreStrong lats are critical for any athletic movement, in other words, so it’s important that we understand the interplay between them and posture, injury prevention, and performance. When we consider how often dancers are in spinal extension—think arabesque or the standing posture we often associate with ballerinas—then we begin to understand the delicate balance between latissimus dorsi strength and latissimus dorsi mobility.
Read MoreSahrmann goes on to write that she “has found that impaired control of the scapula by the serratus anterior muscle is common.” My young dancer client for right now is asymptomatic, but my job as a strength and conditioning coach is to make sure she learns how to use her serratus anterior so that we can avoid any problems before they start. Otherwise, she’ll be the dancer who complains of shoulder issues, or worse, hurts herself lifting a heavy bag above her head when she’s traveling to perform or audition.
Read More
