Thursday 23 September 2010

Ballet benefits

Usually going to the ballet involves watching twiglet thin dancers tottering around on pointe with perma-serene smiles on their faces, executing perfect moves with total grace.

However this evening I enjoyed a very different style of ballet from the super camp all male Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo with their own hammed up interpretations of ballet classics. Despite the distraction of the comedy it was hard not to notice what great shape the dancers are in.

Super toned and super strong, ballet dancers have always had enviable figures. But ballet isn't just good for your looks - one of the main benefits is that it encourages good posture and alignment. This in turn allows full breathing and oxygenation improving energy levels - just try sitting in deliberately poor posture for ten minutes and notice how much less energy you have.

Good posture also allows proper digestion as well as proper alignment of joints and increased flexibility - both important to avoid injury.

For the less dance inclined you'll be glad to hear you don't have to do ballet to get these benefits. Yoga, pilates and weights focused on core strength can all improve posture and making a conscious effort to have good posture in your day to day movements can reinforce the habit.

For anyone who does fancy trying ballet or who thinks ballet isn't really exercise try the New York City Ballet workout!
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