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How to Help Your Ballerina Become a Better Stronger Dancer

A prima ballerina makes the art of ballet seem effortless, but her dance is the product of years of intense training. Ballerina training not only includes the daily barre routine, but also other forms such as Pilates, swimming, yoga and other flexibility and strength training exercises. Diet plays a core role in the proper discipline of ballet. High protein diets and minimal carbohydrates give the dancer the necessary nutrition for building and maintaining muscle.

Instructions

    • 1

      Borrow some Pilates class techniques. Have your ballerina practice some of the core exercises from Pilates. You can use a video to work at home or if your ballerina is old enough to take a class, go with her and help her work on the techniques. Pilates uses the deep core muscles and lengthens the body. This provides lean toning and disciplined balance and core strength. Lael Anderson, a prima ballerina who has danced with the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle since the age of 9 in 1997, practices Pilates as part of her exercise regime.

    • 2

      Encourage your ballerina to swim to help build muscle that is not bulky. Swimming is an aerobic exercise with low impact on the body. The entire body is worked during swimming, aiding in the creation of a toned and flexible physique.

    • 3

      Take a daily walk with your ballerina for endurance. Make sure she stretches properly before the walk and walks with correct posture. Have her hold her stomach in and take long strides that stretch the legs.

    • 4

      Promote practice of proper strength training. Depending on the age of the ballerina, there are different ways to do this. Crossfit is an ideal strength training regimen for ballerinas because the programs increase strength and tone without building bulky muscles. This may be more geared towards a ballerina in her teen years and older.

    • 5

      Help your ballerina eat well. Provide her a diet high in protein, fresh vegetables and leafy greens and lower in carbohydrates. These give the necessary nutrients for maintaining a ballerina's strength and endurance as well as mental clarity and concentration.

Ballet

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