Since re-starting ballet and hip hop, I’ve learned that to get better at both disciplines, I have to do the following extra things:
- Stretching everyday, especially through the hip and legs, to improve my turnout and leg elevation. I’ve started taking a yoga/pilates combo class once a week and stretching at home on my own. It’s hard! After my first class I was sweating buckets and ached all over. I won’t even tell you about the next day. Okay, I will. Basically, my ass hurt like a bitch I almost couldn’t sit.
- Weight training twice a week for more upper-body strength. My hip hop teacher said she’ll be taking us through some basic breakdancing moves in a few months and she’s giving us ample time to prepare. In addition to my lifting routine, I’m also doing push-ups everyday.
- Foot exercises for overall strength and stability. I couldn’t believe how tired my arches got during the middle of both hip hop and ballet classes. I’ve downloaded a list of foot exercises to do at home and I’ve stopped wearing high heels.
As a group fitness instructor, I also recognize the value of cross-training. Cross-training works different muscle groups and prevents overuse and burnout. In addition to dance, I also kickbox and go to indoor cycle classes. It’s in these two classes where I actually get my most intense caloric burn, probably more than 400 calories an hour.
Here is my fitness regimen for the week:
Monday: Hip Hop class (1 hour)
Tuesday: Weight training (30 minutes, arms, shoulders and core)
Wednesday: Kickboxing (1 hour)
Thursday: Weight training (30 minutes, back, chest and core)
Friday: Ballet (1.25 hours)
Saturday: Indoor Cycle (1 hour)
Sunday: Yoga/Pilates fusion (1.25 hours)
I am probably going to take another ballet class and go to 1 more stretch class in there. Hmmm…wonder where I can find the time to do all this and still eat/write/sleep/spend time with family?
