Forums >Cross Training>Ballet
I had no previous training but just started taking an Adult Ballet 1 class. My motivation's increased balance, flexibility, and coordiation. Anyone else using ballet to cross-train? I've only had 3 classes so far but it surely is a lot more fun than going to a yoga class to me!
Eunice
rectumdamnnearkilledem
Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to
remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.
~ Sarah Kay
"If you have the fire, run..." -John Climacus
If you ever move out East, I could hook you up.
There is an instructor in our area who is rumored to be very good, but I think it would be way more fun with one of my equally graceless friends.
The Crap Whisperer
Being the best tiny spec that I can be!
Thanks DirtyGraceFlint! I'm planning on signing up for the fall term, too, which is 18 weeks as opposed to the summer session that I'm currently in that's only 7 weeks. Any pointers or things I should pay attention to when cross-training with ballet? Thanks again!
I had no previous training but just started taking an Adult Ballet 1 class. My motivation's increased balance, flexibility, and coordiation. Anyone else using ballet to cross-train? I've only had 3 classes so far but it surely is a lot more fun than going to a yoga class to me! Eunice
Though I enjoy the ballet I don't think I'll be using it for cross training - that would be quite ugly. One of my wife's friends is a long-time ballet performer. She took it up as an adult and has been attending classes/workouts (whatever they call training sessions for ballet dancers!) and performing in small ballets once in a while for years. She loves it. I consider her ballet to be very much akin to us runners just doing it as a hobby.
BTW, I like your response to the Why Do I Run profile question. "To feel more powerful and confident". Outstanding!
Thanks DirtyGraceFlint! I'm planning on signing up for the fall term, too, which is 18 weeks as opposed to the summer session that I'm currently in that's only 7 weeks. Any pointers or things I should pay attention to when cross-training with ballet? Thanks again! Eunice
That's great! You must really enjoy it! I would love to take classes again but my daughter's schedule can be a bit of a pain to work around - but you have inspired me to look into fall classes
Pay attention to posture and form as much as you can...you are still learning! I think the most important thing is to move slowly and try to maintain control of your body and its movements. The slow controlled movements are what build strength and help to keep you from getting hurt!
Runners run
Self anointed title
Arthur Lydiard used to always say; "You should run like a ballet dancer, not like a weight lifter." I'm assuming you want to cross-train to still do well in distance running (everybody's objective is different and, it seems to me, sometimes they have completely other objectives). When you look at what you need to be a better distance runner, physiologically as well as mechanically, you should understand that your picked cross training should provide 60~70% of your max aerobic effort for a prolonged period of time, which I would imagine ballet practice would do; as well as to, as someone already had mentioned, strengthen your legs. What Lydiard meant is that you'd need springy and bouncy strides, just like a ballet dancer on the stage, not bulky and clumsy, however strong they may be, strides. You'll need powerful yet feather-light strides and ballet could be a perfect exercise to do just that. One of the girls I had coaches was an ex-ballet dancer and she had no problem performing hill exercises. She's run 19:30ish for 5.
I know Yoga provides good flexibility and breathing effect; but I'm not sure how much "good flexibility" might contribute to distance running... I'm not saying Yoga is waste of time; but I believe ballet practice could be a lot more effective.