It is common knowledge for dancers to stretch their bodies before going into a full dancing routine. Forgetting it could cause harm that could prevent them to dance in the future. For dancers and non-dancers, Pilates is a recommended choice of workout.
What is Pilates?
It is a movement program dedicated to strengthening the body focusing on building a stable core. Generally, this is done to help one’s fitness and overall well-being. A typical Pilates workout could take 45 minutes to an hour.
Who invented the Pilates workout?
This was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany during World War 1. Because of his program, he was able to gain notoriety with the New York City Ballet. As time passed, countries including Asia, dancers have adopted the Pilates workout. The emergence of Pilates workout classes reached Asian countries like Singapore, where the art of dancing is highly valued.
Why is it recommended for dancers and non-dancers?
Dance researchers has proven that doing Pilates helps keep normal muscle tone and build core strength. More than that, this improves their flexibility while protecting their injury due to the low-impact nature of it.
For non-dancers, this can help them develop a strong core to serve as a foundation of movement. If they have problems in posture and breathing, this method could help them be attentive of their actions. Also, it strengthens them and relieves tension in the shoulders and back.
Does it require any special equipment?
A mat on the floor is really what all beginners should know before doing Pilates. There are a lot of basic beginner exercises one should know before enrolling to advanced Pilates workout classes. Some studios who offer them have equipment like the Reformer, the Cadillac which is special barrels and chairs.
What is the difference between Yoga and Pilates workout classes?
Their similarities are very apparent because they both focus on the mind and body connection. However, Yoga leans on the development of the spiritual being, while Pilates is a more of a physical program that is devoted to toning and strengthening. Therefore, it provides cardiovascular benefits.
If you’re curious about which is better for weight loss, Pilates is the exercise you are looking for because an hour of doing Pilates burns around 175-375 calories on average.
What type of dances could I learn after mastering Pilates workout?
Once you have integrated the values of doing Pilates, you can learn ballet and tap dancing. These types of dances require a lot of core strength. You may find doing Pilates as a warm-up workout in your ballet class. If you’re looking to have a fitness-focused dancing, you might like doing body ballet fitness.
Above all else, this exercise method has been considered vital to a dancer’s success. Pilates and trainings for dances have been deeply interconnected. In Singapore, you could find these dance trainings and classes at BalletBody. They offer classes such as Pilates, body ballet, and ballet classes to beginners and advanced students.
You can check their schedules and rates at https://balletbody.sg/.
