For those that love dance, they can’t imagine their life without it. Once a dancer, always a dancer, is the motto at Nan’s School of Dance. Many of us imagine being able to dance with our grandchildren and share our love for dance with them. In order for that to happen, we must take good care of bodies, so that we can continue dancing well into our golden years.
From proper diet to plenty of rest, keeping your love of dance alive starts with an intrinsic dedication but only continues when you make healthy choices a priority. To help keep you dancing for a lifetime, we put together a list of important things that you should focus on in order to keep your body dancing for as long as possible.
Proper Diet
Food is fuel! Our body needs the right nutrients in order to function. If you are continuing to dance as you grow older, then you need to be eating the proper diet to give your body what it needs to keep dancing.
- Calories
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Protein
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Get Plenty of Rest
A good night’s rest is so important for everyone, including dancers. When we sleep our brain and body are still hard at work. Sleep enables the body to repair and be fit and ready for another day. Some benefits of a good night’s sleep are as follows:
- Better productivity and concentration
- Greater athletic performance
- Better calorie regulation
- Lower weight gain
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Preventing depression
- Lower inflammation
Endurance
You can’t dance well into your golden years if you get tired walking to the end of your driveway to get the mail. In order to stay in shape you must work on your endurance. The perfect way to do this is by walking and staying active. Going on daily walks is great for your endurance. Maybe consider getting a smartwatch to keep track of your steps and check in with your daily progress.
Muscle Development
As we grow older our muscles can get weaker. You know the saying, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” Well that could not be more true for our muscles as we age. It is important to take care of your muscles, and a great way to do that is with exercise.
Try yoga or pilates which are both great for core strength as well as a wonderful low intensity workout. If you are comfortable with weights, you can try doing some exercises with hand weights at home, or even venture to the gym. If you do go to the gym, we recommend doing at least one personal lesson with a trainer to show you how to use the equipment properly.
Flexibility
Just like our muscles can get weaker if we don’t use them, our flexibility can also decline if we do not work on it regularly. Stretching is an excellent way to maintain your flexibility. Doing stretches daily will work wonders.
Keep on Dancin’
Our last tip is the most fun. Keep dancing…that’s it, it is that simple. If you want to keep dancing longer, then you need to do just that. Take more dance classes, go dancing with friends, and dance in your kitchen. We are sure that if you take care of your body and keep on dancing, you will be sure to dance right into your future!
Want to Read More About Dance?
Take a look at some of our other articles about dance.
So why Nan’s school of dance?
At Nan’s School of Dance, our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise, and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels.
We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance!
Don’t forget to register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes, (18 months – 2.5 years). Register online or give us a call at 919-803-6044 to hold your spot!
]]>There is a saying “once a dancer, always a dancer,” and our staff at Nan’s School of Dance could not agree more. No matter how much time has passed since you last danced, you will always be a dancer at heart. That’s why many adults find themselves returning to dance later in life, because you can quit dance but dance can’t quit you!
Here at Nan’s School of Dance we believe that there is always a way to come back to the dance studio, no matter how much time has passed. This is why we put together a list of tips on how to return to dance studio as an adult.
Adjust Your Expectations
The first thing we suggest is getting into the right mindset before you choose and start your first dance class. There are a few things to know before jumping back onto the dance floor!
- Your body has changed and it will need time to adjust.
- Even though you may remember the steps, your joints and muscles may need time to warm back up!
- Starting with a beginner class regardless of your previous experiences is the best way to avoid unnecessary injury. You will always be able to move up a level or two if you find the class too easy.
- Relearning dance is a slow process.
- Don’t get frustrated with yourself if you start out a little shaky. Your muscle memory will kick in, and you will be progressing in no time!
Be Open To New Things
Do not let your past dance experience dictate what you decide to do later in life. Just because you were a ballet dancer as a child does not mean you can’t try a hip hop or salsa class now. Each new style you choose will challenge your body and mind in a different way, which will allow you to grow as a dancer.
Another reason to try a different dance style might be because you’ve previously suffered an injury and/or your body can’t quite perform like it used to. It may be that a different type is more suitable and will cause less stress on your body. Your ultimate goal is to find a style that works for your body -TODAY- not your body from 20 years ago!
Get Back Into The Routine of Stretching
Flexibility is something we can lose quickly, even a six-month hiatus from dance will have a major impact on your flexibility. You will need a stretching routine that you follow daily. Ask your instructor for a list of stretches that they recommend and incorporate them into your daily routine. As your flexibility improves, you will reduce your chances of injury and find many of the moves easier to execute!
Listen To Your Body
Remember how we said your body is not the same as it was 20 years ago? Well, that’s why it is so important to listen to your body. It’s okay to stop or modify a movement if it feels painful. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself. So go slow and listen to your body.
If you are recovering from an injury, listen to your doctor or physical therapist as you re-enter the dance world. Jumping back into dance too early will only set you up for future injuries. If you have any concerns about your physical health, you may also want to let your new dance instructor know. They will be able to suggest modifications to moves that you may find painful.
Have Fun
So your body may not be what it used to be and the steps may not come as quickly, but that’s no reason to stress. Remember, you came back to dance because you love it and it brings you joy. Don’t forget dance is supposed to be fun, so relax and enjoy every moment -or should we say every movement?
Want to Read More About Dance?
Take a look at some of our other articles about dance.
So why Nan’s school of dance?
At Nan’s School of Dance, our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise, and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels.
We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance!
Don’t forget to register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes, (18 months – 2.5 years). Register online or give us a call at 919-803-6044 to hold your spot!
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