Stretching Before You Dance Bollywood-Style!

Today, I want to talk to you a little about stretching. Some people call dancing an art - others call it a sport. Whichever way you look at it, if you were to play music, you'd practice your instrument and tune it or "stretch" your vocal chords before your perform. It's the same with sports too.

And of course, dancing is no different too. So in this week's tip, I want to share with you some ideas and techniques for stretching before you dance. Make sure you read it and do it. It saves injury!

Always stretch after classes and performances. It also is good to stretch during class between exercises. Here is one leg stretch exercise that I find is good to do between routines:

Hamstring Stretch - The purpose of this is to stretch the hamstring muscle group and the upper attachment ot of the calf muscle.

1. Assume the long sitting position (sitting with legs extended out in front of you), bend forward from the waist and reach as far forward as possible with your hands.

2. First, stretch with your toes pointed (plantar flexion), placing emphasis on the hamstring muscle group. Then, with the foot pulled back as far as possible (dorsiflexion), emphasize stretching the upper attatchment of the calf muscle. Remember to stretch only to the point of mild discomfort. This should not hurt.

3. Hold for about thirty seconds, then repeat two or three times.

Variation: Stretch as above but progressively widen the distance between your legs.

Some things to remember:

* Never stretch a cold muscle-make sure you are properly warmed up before trying to stretch.

* Don't put weight on the leg you are stretching.

* Don't stretch those knee ligaments. Don't stretch those knee tendons. Stretch the thigh muscles only.

Honey Kalaria is the UK's Bollywood Ambassador, entrepreneur and founder of Europe's premier dancing academy, Honeys Dance Academy. Get bollywood dance tips and your free dance class free when you visit http://www.honeysdanceacademy.com

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